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If you enjoyed this look at Illinois cannabis history, go to ColeMemo.com/History or click here for a deeper dive.
Bibliography
Below are the clips/media that I used in this mini doc. I did my best to sort citations in order of appearance and separated by scene.
Scene 2
- Should Pot Be Legal In Illinois? – CBS Chicago – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFmmkL09YZ8
- Candidates for Illinois governor are split over marijuana legalization despite issue’s popular support – https://www.chicagotribune.com/2018/10/25/candidates-for-illinois-governor-are-split-over-marijuana-legalization-despite-issues-popular-support/
- Gov. Rauner opposes recreational marijuana – Belleville News-Democrat – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcKHlYWtX10
- Governor Pritzker Tweet, to end Marijuana Prohibition – https://x.com/JBPritzker/status/987380374442475520?s=20
- Gov. JB Pritzker delivers inaugural address – ABC 7 Chicago – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlbMhWAKRb8
- Illinois marijuana legalization push gets huge boost with Pritzker win – ABC 7 Chicago – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4jwZcVLR7s
- Newsviews: Recreational Marijuana Becomes Legal In Illinois – ABC 7 Chicago – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpP59iYnAAA
- WCIA covers shortcomings of legalization – https://youtu.be/38LtxwtcoIk?si=6Rn2cy64Fw66hUwR
- Advocate speaks out about shortcomings of cannabis in Illinois – https://www.instagram.com/tv/CiQiyPvD5Nc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Defense Attorney Evan Bruno – https://youtu.be/eZB8IM6t6Xc?si=IU6DavPWMnu6L9iB
- WGN9 Report, Mixed Messages on Legalization – https://youtu.be/nKkIgcuglgo?si=qoXwqVW6OKw8Muij
Scene 3
- Al Jazeera Video – https://www.youtube.com/live/HUqzKFsucTk?si=ew4F4ucbbPB06i1D
- Episode 49 of Cole Memo featuring Defense Attorney Bruno and Galholtra – https://thecolememo.com/2024/01/21/e49/
- The Unfinished Work of Cannabis Reform in Illinois – https://www.isba.org/sections/bench/newsletter/2020/11/theunfinishedworkofcannabisreforminillinois
- Episode 253 of Chillinois Podcast with Defense Attorney Evan Bruno – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZB8IM6t6Xc
- Article/Audio clip featuring Rep. Carol Ammons “Lawmaker Concerned About Continued Criminalization Of Cannabis In Illinois” – https://will.illinois.edu/news/story/lawmaker-concerned-about-continued-criminalization-of-cannabis-in-illinois
- Episode 64 of Cole Memo featuring Rep. Carol Ammons – https://thecolememo.com/2024/02/29/e64/
- Illinois marijuana legalization bill would allow possession up to 30 grams, 5 plants grown at home – web.archive.org/web/20190510032509/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-new-marijuana-bill-proposal-20190504-story.html
- Medical marijuana growers are lobbying for licenses that also would allow them to control supply of recreational pot in Illinois – https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/02/21/medical-marijuana-growers-are-lobbying-for-licenses-that-also-would-allow-them-to-control-supply-of-recreational-pot-in-illinois/
- #303 – Representative La Shawn K. Ford – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeepxmAMiF8
- Box Brown Comic (see above) – You can check out Brian “Box” Brown’s website here: https://www.boxbrown.com/
- Illinois Supreme Court weighing whether smelling pot is enough to warrant car search – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdbDd7NBCrI
- FAQ from State of Illinois – https://cannabis.illinois.gov/about/faqs.html
- It’s Official: You Can Legally Buy Marijuana In Illinois – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGwcUQ3fu9w
- Medical marijuana could still cost you your job in Illinois – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltG1mGDXH1o
- Four years after legalization, how prominent is recreational marijuana in Illinois? – https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow/story/four-years-after-legalization-how-prominent-is-recreational-marijuana-in-illinois
- Legal weed’s first year in Chicago: High arrest rates for Black people, a boutique experience for others – https://www.chicagotribune.com/2021/04/15/legal-weeds-first-year-in-chicago-high-arrest-rates-for-black-people-a-boutique-experience-for-others/
- Episode 72 – Cae Jones – JungleCae.com – https://thecolememo.com/2024/03/21/e72/
- Cannabis Control Act – https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1937&ChapterID=53
- Despite legalization, old cannabis charges hurt thousands of Illinoisans – https://www.wbez.org/reset-with-sasha-ann-simons/2022/02/25/despite-legalization-old-cannabis-charges-hurt-thousands-of-illinoisans
- Downtown Springfield, Illiniois Drone Videography | 4K – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5DkuyyeFww
- Illinois lawmaker hopes to expunge more marijuana arrest records by dropping drug test requirement – https://www.wgem.com/2022/02/11/illinois-lawmaker-hopes-expunge-more-marijuana-arrest-records-by-dropping-drug-test-requirement/
- Illinois Bill To Close Marijuana Expungement ‘Loophole’ Heads To Governor, While Workplace Protection Measure Stalls – https://www.marijuanamoment.net/illinois-bill-to-close-marijuana-expungement-loophole-heads-to-governor-while-workplace-protection-measure-stalls/
- Illinois Governor Signs Bill To Close Marijuana Expungement ‘Loophole’ – https://www.marijuanamoment.net/illinois-governor-signs-bill-to-close-marijuana-expungement-loophole/
- Marijuana Legalization Press Conference with JB Pritzker – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSaniEk_2gk
- Exclusive: State data shows 77% of Illinois’ cultivation market controlled by six companies – web.archive.org/web/20201024181524/https://grownin.com/2020/06/18/exclusive-state-data-shows-77-of-illinois-cultivation-market-controlled-by-six-companies/
- Why It’s So Hard To Sell Weed In Chicago – Al Jazeera Plus – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jm89yctQVs
Scene 4
- Illinois updating marijuana license lottery following criticism from social equity applicants – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQiCSnAKzU4
- ColeMemo.com/History
- A conversation with Mike Fourcher from GrownIn.com – https://soundcloud.com/chillinoispodcast/a-conversation-with-mike-fourcher-from-grownincom?si=2ddef8c252df4df8b0cbb715129e69fd&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- 700 weed applicants, 21 finalists: Some hopefuls aren’t happy about who’s still in the running for Illinois’ 75 marijuana dispensary licenses – https://www.chicagotribune.com/2020/09/04/700-weed-applicants-21-finalists-some-hopefuls-arent-happy-about-whos-still-in-the-running-for-illinois-75-marijuana-dispensary-licenses/
- Adult-Use Dispensary Lottery Process, July 2021 – https://multimedia.illinois.gov/gov/Cannabis-Lottery-July-2021.html
- Clouted mix of insiders, others tied to state politics behind social equity pot bid – https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/9/15/21438371/illinois-marijuana-cannabis-pot-dispensary-social-equity-license-green-renaissance
- Illinois sets dispensary tiebreaker lottery date as losing applicants discover scoring irregularities – web.archive.org/web/20200922212310/https://grownin.com/2020/09/08/illinois-sets-dispensary-tiebreaker-lottery-date-as-losing-applicants-discover-scoring-irregularities/
- KPMG and Tax Havens for the Rich : The Untouchables – the fifth estate – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LjMXmGdhrA
- Finalist for marijuana dispensary licenses also works for firm that graded applications – https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/9/8/21427810/kpmg-illinois-new-marijuana-pot-licenses-hamd-kamal
- Tom Schuba on Chillinois Podcast – https://soundcloud.com/chillinoispodcast/tom-schuba?si=e7d4104881c04f0ca935137f046def2b&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_ca
- State emails: KPMG’s subcontractor hired hastily trained gig workers to vet complex Illinois dispensary applications – web.archive.org/web/20210322130232/https://grownin.com/2021/03/22/state-emails-document-illinois-dispensary-applications-reviewed-by-briskly-trained-gig-workers-working-for-subcontractor-to-kpmg/
- Capitol Connection: Sunday, September 13th, 2020 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETjvsOQ9gN4
- “Cannabis Czar” Toi Hutchinson on Building Illinois’ Marijuana Industry – https://archive.org/details/ictvil-Cannabis_Czar_Toi_Hutchinson_on_Building_Illinois_Marijuana_Industry
- How the ‘Most Equity-Centric’ Law on Weed Went Wrong – and Where Illinois Can Go from Here – https://illinoisanswers.org/2023/06/14/illinois-approves-new-marijuana-dispensary-licenses-social-equity/
- Despite legalization, old cannabis charges hurt thousands of Illinoisans – https://www.wbez.org/reset-with-sasha-ann-simons/2022/02/25/despite-legalization-old-cannabis-charges-hurt-thousands-of-illinoisans
- #303 – Representative La Shawn K. Ford – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeepxmAMiF8
- Wiz Khalifa Arrested for Smoking Marijuana During Concert, Senate Pushes for Medical MJ in the VA – https://www.youtube.com/live/bWmtGQyhfLE
- Box Brown Comic (see above) – You can check out Brian “Box” Brown’s website here: https://www.boxbrown.com/
- How Big Business is Trying to RIG Legal Weed Market – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TchQjvTCoSM
- Rauner on medical marijuana – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4gX2N_itVA
- Cannabis business: What marijuana legalization means for Illinois – https://youtu.be/witaujDUit4?si=T2tiAMjDsanSvTgC
- LIVE | 1st “social equity” licensed cannabis dispensary opens in Illinois – https://www.youtube.com/live/nupIvxQhACA
- Illinois cannabis license winners still waiting – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNPz44BALkk
- Our Chicago: Increasing diversity in Illinois’ adult use cannabis industry – https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-increasing-diversity-illinois-adult-use-cannabis-industry/15306161/
- Tom Howard comments on license limits – https://www.instagram.com/p/CTLzcDNjz7x/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Illinois governor appoints Danielle Perry as cannabis czar – https://mjbizdaily.com/illinois-governor-appoints-danielle-perry-as-marijuana-czar/
- The Illinois CURE Act: Shaping the Future of Psychedelic Policy – https://psychedelicstoday.com/2024/08/27/the-illinois-cure-act-shaping-the-future-of-psychedelic-policy/
Scene 5
- Episode 64 of Cole Memo featuring Rep. Carol Ammons – https://thecolememo.com/2024/02/29/e64/
- First bill emerges this year to legalize marijuana in Illinois — would allow up to 24 plants at home – https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/02/08/first-bill-emerges-this-year-to-legalize-marijuana-in-illinois-would-allow-up-to-24-plants-at-home/
- Illinois marijuana growers spent about $600,000 on political giving leading to the pot legalization vote. Here’s where the money went. – https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/08/02/illinois-marijuana-growers-spent-about-600000-on-political-giving-leading-to-the-pot-legalization-vote-heres-where-the-money-went/
- Madigan: Power. Privilege. Politics – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgVP3H122nw
- Madigan: Legal pot passage in Illinois ‘not guaranteed today’ – https://thesouthern.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/madigan-legal-pot-passage-in-illinois-not-guaranteed-today/article_9e83df32-dd59-5901-8a28-aba93309a442.html
- Here’s what’s in Illinois’ plan to legalize cannabis for adult use – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38LtxwtcoIk
- What You Need To Know About The Legislative Probe Of Speaker Michael Madigan – https://www.wbez.org/politics/2020/09/05/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-legislative-probe-of-speaker-michael-madigan
- A look back after Madigan suspends campaign for speaker of Illinois House – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGnLZKSjYCc
- Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan indicted in racketeering conspiracy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXUmM5DUB5w
- Chicago-based marijuana giant part of federal pay-to-play investigation – https://www.chicagotribune.com/2021/03/29/chicago-based-marijuana-giant-part-of-federal-pay-to-play-investigation/
- All defendants found guilty on all counts in ‘ComEd 4’ trial surrounding ex-Speaker Mike Madigan – https://abc7chicago.com/comed-4-trial-verdict-michael-madigan-chicago/13205509/
- Medical marijuana growers are lobbying for licenses that also would allow them to control supply of recreational pot in Illinois – https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/02/21/medical-marijuana-growers-are-lobbying-for-licenses-that-also-would-allow-them-to-control-supply-of-recreational-pot-in-illinois/
- Pot bill sponsor sees no conflict in spouse’s new job – https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2019/7/31/20747754/marijuana-spouse-llinois-pot-bill-sponsor-kelly-cassidy-candace-gingrich-job-cannabis-revolution
- The Viability of Illinois’ Medical Marijuana Program: Q&A With Bob Morgan – https://mjbizdaily.com/viability-illinois-medical-marijuana-program-qa-bob-morgan/
- State’s ex-pot regulators, pols are cashing in on the exploding industry. A proposed crackdown won’t stop all of them. – https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2021/3/10/22311602/illinois-legislature-pot-marijuana-cannabis-regulators-ethics-marty-moylan-patricia-van-pelt
- Bob Morgan – https://www.beneschlaw.com/people/bob-morgan.html
- Green Thumb Industries (GTI) Wins Ohio Cultivation License – https://www.beneschlaw.com/resources/green-thumb-industries-gti-wins-ohio-cultivation-license.html
- Who’s profiting off the millions that Illinois’ marijuana business is bringing in? State officials are keeping that secret. – https://www.chicagotribune.com/2020/03/03/whos-profiting-off-the-millions-that-illinois-marijuana-business-is-bringing-in-state-officials-are-keeping-that-secret/
- Clouted mix of insiders, others tied to state politics behind social equity pot bid – https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/9/15/21438371/illinois-marijuana-cannabis-pot-dispensary-social-equity-license-green-renaissance
- Ex-pot regulator, now on Cook County Bd., offered paid help to weed shop hopefuls – https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/10/1/21492469/bridget-degnen-marijuana-illinois-department-financial-regulation-cook-county-board-dispensary
- Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen — an ex-pot regulator — admits ownership in Americanna Dream cannabis firm – https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/10/13/21515141/americanna-dream-cook-county-board-bridget-degnen-cannabis-dispensary-illinois-marijuana-license
- Inspector General should probe Cook County commissioner, chief of staff amid pot firm revelations, ethics experts say – https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/10/21/21527348/bridget-degnen-tara-meyer-cook-county-board-medical-cannabis-marijuana-illinois-dispenary
- Illinois medical marijuana director resigns after 1 year – https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/06/27/illinois-medical-marijuana-director-resigns-after-1-year/
- State’s ex-pot regulators, pols are cashing in on the exploding industry. A proposed crackdown won’t stop all of them. – https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2021/3/10/22311602/illinois-legislature-pot-marijuana-cannabis-regulators-ethics-marty-moylan-patricia-van-pelt
- Senator charges to reveal “what cannabis companies are viable” – https://www.wcia.com/news/capitol-news/senator-charges-to-reveal-what-cannabis-companies-are-viable-/2002422831/
- State Sen. Toi Hutchinson appointed as Illinois’ pot czar – https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2019/9/26/20886313/state-senator-toi-hutchinson-appointed-illinois-pot-czar
- Illinois Gov. Pritzker appoints first lead cannabis regulator – web.archive.org/web/20210128120846/https://grownin.com/2020/08/13/illinois-gov-pritzker-appoints-first-lead-cannabis-regulator/
- Gov. Pritzker Announces Two Appointments to Illinois Boards – https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.21911.html
- My interview with Danielle Perry – https://youtu.be/PeLFb8Tsc8w?si=fotarSiRZO2_-IqW
- Illinois’ top cannabis official Toi Hutchinson leaves post to head national lobbying group that helped draw up law making pot legal in state – https://www.chicagotribune.com/2021/12/15/illinois-top-cannabis-official-toi-hutchinson-leaves-post-to-head-national-lobbying-group-that-helped-draw-up-law-making-pot-legal-in-state/
- Illinois House passes marijuana legalization bill, approves balanced budget – https://abc7chicago.com/illinois-passes-recreational-marijuana-senate-house-weed-il/5324375/
The Cole Memo 