Best The Cole Memo Podcasts (2025)

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#232 – Illinois Cannabis Lawsuit, Michigan Cannabis Tax Increase, & Federal Moves? 2:10:35

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5d ago2:10:35

2:10:35

A new cannabis lawsuit with sharp allegations in Illinois, taxes might increase in Michigan’s cannabis market, and possible federal action on cannabis policy—we’ll cover it all in this live stream. View show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/10/03/e232/By Cole Preston

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#231 - Illinois Medical Cannabis Updates, Patient Concerns, and the Hemp Debate 2:32:21

25d ago2:32:21

2:32:21

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole shares important updates that affect medical cannabis patients in Illinois, including new allotment equivalencies, upcoming changes to dispensary access, and the launch of a patient portal. He also recaps key takeaways from the latest Medical Cannabis Advisory Board meeting, where patients and advocates voiced…

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#230 - Illinois vs Texas: Safety for Children, Freedom for Adults 21:19

1M ago21:19

21:19

In this impromptu live episode of The Cole Memo, Cole covers a recent raid in Illinois that sparked a bigger conversation about hemp regulation across the country. With Governor Pritzker voicing concerns about youth safety and Governor Abbott issuing an executive order in Texas to ban hemp sales to minors, the debate is heating up. Should hemp rema…

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#229 - FDA’s MDMA Letter Goes Public, MAPS Responds in Press Conference 47:31

1M ago47:31

47:31

In this episode, we mainly watch the live MAPS press conference that I was invited to, where leadership addressed the FDA’s newly released complete response letter rejecting MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD. You’ll hear their perspective on shifting standards, trial design disputes, and what this decision means for the future of psychedelic medicine.…

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#228 - Illinois DUI Scandal and Federal Rescheduling Rumors 1:36:45

2M ago1:36:45

1:36:45

In this episode of The Cole Memo, we dig into the fallout from ABC7 Chicago’s latest report on the University of Illinois Chicago’s forensic testing lab. Flawed cannabis DUI testing has put thousands of convictions under scrutiny, raising serious questions about oversight and justice in Illinois. We also look at the ongoing debate around cannabis r…

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#227 - SUMMER SUPER SHOW: Elevated News Podcast x The Cole Memo 2:09:41

2M ago2:09:41

2:09:41

The Three Dope Dudes are back, this time combining forces like a cannabis Megazord to bring you a packed summer wrap-up. From Illinois craft showcases and brand shoutouts to the real talk on seed-to-sale tracking systems, monopolization, and THC inflation, no topic is off-limits. We explore the politics of hemp versus marijuana, unpack the latest o…

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#226 - Trump’s Cannabis Decision Looms: The Opposition's Perspective 25:15

2M ago25:15

25:15

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole speaks with Luke from Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) about President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on potentially rescheduling cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3. Luke shares why he believes marijuana should remain Schedule 1, citing concerns over corporate influence, public health, and the federal sc…

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#225 - Trump Considers Cannabis Rescheduling, Illinois Opens New Social Equity Loans 13:47

2M ago13:47

13:47

In this special episode of The Cole Memo, Cole breaks down breaking news on both the federal and state levels. At the federal level, President Trump has confirmed that his administration is “looking at” rescheduling marijuana, with a decision expected within the next few weeks. We review his comments, the political and industry reactions, and what …

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#224 - From Austin to Springfield: Cannabis Policy Battles Across States 1:20:01

2M ago1:20:01

1:20:01

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole returns with a live broadcast covering breaking cannabis news from Illinois, Texas, and beyond. A surprise guest from Texas Cannabis Collective joins to unpack the whirlwind special session in Austin, where a proposed hemp THC ban collided with flood relief, redistricting fights, and a dramatic quorum break. C…

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#223 – Suing the state of Illinois. Special guest! 45:23

3M ago45:23

45:23

In this episode of The Cole Memo, attorney Ali returns to discuss a groundbreaking lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Representing a group of mostly minority and women-owned cannabis transporters, Ali outlines how her clients were granted licenses that were essentially worthless—while larger, established companies received the …

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#222 - Cops, Crops & Courtrooms: Illinois Cannabis News Unpacked 35:28

3M ago35:28

35:28

In this episode of The Cole Memo, we unpack two big stories shaking up the Illinois cannabis scene. First, we dive into the controversy surrounding a new dispensary planned for West Ridge, partially owned by ten former police officers. While some see it as a redemption arc, others question the ethics of former drug enforcers now profiting from the …

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#221 - Craig Katz on Hemp, CRTA, and the Future of Cannabis Policy in Illinois 1:04:00

3M ago1:04:00

1:04:00

Craig Katz joins the show to break down the policy tensions between Illinois’ regulated marijuana market and its largely unregulated hemp industry. As a board member for multiple trade associations and the compliance manager at CBDratom, Katz gives listeners an insider view into the push for House Bill 1—a legislative effort that would add labeling…

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#220 - Choosing Both: Advocacy, Burnout, and Balance with Jean Lacy 1:17:24

3M ago1:17:24

1:17:24

In this deeply personal episode of The Cole Memo, I'm joined by longtime friend and inspiration Jean Lacy, founder of the Illinois Psychedelic Society. We talk about burnout, idealism, and how to keep moving forward in advocacy work without losing yourself in the process. Jean reflects on her powerful essay, “choosing both: rest and resistance, hea…

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#219 - Inside Michigan’s Psychedelic Movement 1:18:03

3M ago1:18:03

1:18:03

In this episode, Cole sits down with Michigan drug policy advocate Julie Barron for an honest conversation about the state of psychedelic reform, community burnout, and the challenges of staying grounded when a movement starts to fracture. They discuss Ann Arbor’s unique culture, the evolution of Hash Bash, and how grassroots momentum led to real d…

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#218 – Descheduled Cannabis, Rescheduled Fentanyl & The Illinois Tax Trail 1:05:29

3M ago1:05:29

1:05:29

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole breaks down a whirlwind of news from the local to the federal level. He starts with a look at Texas, where Governor Abbott is calling a special session that could lead to new restrictions on hemp—but without banning it outright. Then, Cole dives into the newly signed HALT Act, clearing up confusion about fenta…

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#217 – Cannabis Raids, Lab Failures, and Illinois Cannabis Licenses Left Idle 40:49

3M ago40:49

40:49

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole checks in live to unpack some of the biggest cannabis stories of the week—from federal immigration raids on licensed California cannabis farms, to a scathing internal report on UIC’s faulty THC blood tests that may have tainted over 1,000 DUI cases. He also dives into a troubling new report revealing that near…

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#216 – The Economics of Cannabis: Price, Policy & Prohibition with Beau Whitney 1:24:12

3M ago1:24:12

1:24:12

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole sits down with economist Beau Whitney of Whitney Economics to unpack the complex realities behind cannabis market structures. From price elasticity and licensing limits to the rising tension between hemp and marijuana regulation, Beau explains what the data really shows. They also tackle how market access, con…

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#215 - Federally legal cannabis survives another day in Texas 1:13:26

3M ago1:13:26

1:13:26

In this live stream, we’ll be discussing the failed attempt to ban federally-legal cannabis products in Texas. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/03/e215/By Cole Preston

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#214 - Cannabis Policy in Maine featuring Derek Shirley 1:53:23

3M ago1:53:23

1:53:23

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole talks about odor proof updates + Metrc’s impact on Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients. Watch video version or read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/03/e214/By Cole Preston

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#213- Odor Proof Updates + Metrc's impact on Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients 29:14

4M ago29:14

29:14

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole talks about odor proof updates + Metrc’s impact on Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients. Watch video version or read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/06/25/e213/By Cole Preston

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#212 - A Conversation Across the Divide: Aubree Adams on Cannabis, Policy, and Prevention 1:25:16

4M ago1:25:16

1:25:16

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole sits down with Aubree Adams, director of Every Brain Matters, to hear her perspective on the harms of marijuana legalization. While Aubree and Cole don’t see eye to eye on many drug policy issues, the conversation is respectful, candid, and wide-ranging—touching on personal experiences, cannabis-induced psycho…

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#211 - Cannabis, Criminal Justice & Public Health: A Conversation with Jordan Davidson 56:16

4M ago56:16

56:16

Cole is joined by Jordan Davidson from Smart Approaches to Marijuana for a candid conversation on cannabis legalization, hemp regulation, and where they still disagree. Watch more at colememo.com/SAM. See the video version of this episode and full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/06/25/e211/…

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#210 - From the Cornbread Mafia to Cannabis Reform: Jim Higdon on Cannabis policy and Legalization’s Future 1:01:20

4M ago1:01:20

1:01:20

On this episode of The Cole Memo, I’m joined by Jim Higdon — journalist, author, and co-founder of Cornbread Hemp. We talk about his Kentucky roots, how the Cornbread Mafia helped inspire the brand’s name, and why Cornbread Hemp has become one of the leading voices for common-sense hemp regulation. Jim unpacks the messy realities of cannabis legali…

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#209 – Launching a Marketplace for Federally Legal Cannabis 1:48:18

4M ago1:48:18

1:48:18

Livi McKay returns to talk about her latest project, which can be found at discoveryourcolor.co. Discover Your Color is a cannabis delivery service that helps you quickly find the right product using lab-tested data. By answering a few short questions, you’re matched with one of four color-coded categories based on mood and effect—then you can have…

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#208 - Walking back money laundering accusations + some Benzinga talk! 42:10

4M ago42:10

42:10

In this episode of The Cole Memo, I follow up on episode 207, share highlights from my time at Benzinga, preview upcoming live streams, and cover a few other updates. Watch video version or read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/06/11/e208/By Cole Preston

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#207 - Cannabis companies are laundering money? 35:28

4M ago35:28

35:28

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole breaks down a press release from MMJ BioPharma that's shaking up the cannabis world. The company accuses the DEA of obstruction, selective enforcement, and unconstitutional practices—and it has people speculating that federal rescheduling might finally be near. But will it actually help? Cole analyzes what’s i…

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#206 - Elevated News X Cole Memo spring wrap up super show LIVE 1:56:25

4M ago1:56:25

1:56:25

Join Aaron, Dave and Cole as they join forces once again to bring you the latest news and discussing all that's been happening in the legislative session in Illinois and elsewhere. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/06/04/e206/By Cole Preston

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#205 – The End of Federally-Legal Cannabis in Texas?! 8:44

5M ago8:44

8:44

Austin from Texas Cannabis Collective joins me to break down the latest developments in Texas cannabis policy. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/05/31/e205/By Cole Preston

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#204 - Friday Surprise: SB90 Sparks Cannabis Policy Movement in Springfield 16:58

5M ago16:58

16:58

In this Friday episode of The Cole Memo, Cole is joined by Peter Contos from the Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition to break down some exciting last-minute developments in Illinois cannabis policy. The two discuss the unexpected movement of Senate Bill 90, which includes long-sought provisions like allowing medical patients to shop at any dispensar…

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Where are the activists? Where is the protest music? 24:26

5M ago24:26

24:26

For this podcast episode, I am going to break down the rise and fall of SNCC. The fall of SNCC also coincides with the rise of Africana Studies departments on PWIs. This led to a brain drain of humanities professors at HBCUs to higher-salaried Black professors at PWIs. For the pop culture section, I question whether pop music can be radical. Instea…

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#203 - The future of cannabis policy 1:33:23

5M ago1:33:23

1:33:23

On this Memorial Day episode of The Cole Memo, Cole is joined once again by cultivation consultant and cannabis industry veteran Dusty Shroyer for a deep, nuanced conversation about the evolving hemp and cannabis landscape. From the science behind THC testing to the market distortions caused by prohibition-era policies, the two unpack the promise a…

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#202 - The latest cannabis (and drug policy) news 1:23:29

5M ago1:23:29

1:23:29

In this packed Friday edition of The Cole Memo, Cole goes live to cover the latest developments in Illinois cannabis policy—including behind-the-scenes updates on proposed changes to licensing fees, adult-use purchase limits, and a potential fix for the controversial "odorproof" vehicle law. He also shares insider intel on efforts to expand access …

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What Happened to Unions? How Can We Reunionize? 29:53

5M ago29:53

29:53

In today's episode, I am talking about the participation of Black people in unions. I dive into the importance of the CIO (Congressional Industrial Organizations) into being the first interracial union. CIO's efforts also branched into the policies developed into the civil rights episode. For the pop culture section, I talk about the lack of unions…

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#201 - Clout and Cannabis in Illinois: A Conversation with Tom Schuba of the Sun-Times 35:10

5M ago35:10

35:10

We’ve heard promises of equity and transparency, but has Illinois delivered? Chicago Sun-Times reporter Tom Schuba joins me to unpack how political connections, limited transparency, and data protections have shaped Illinois’ cannabis rollout. We discuss his latest story for the Sun-Times, which details how insiders with clout have secured a footho…

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#200 - Ray Long returns to discuss Illinois' Stalled Ethics Reform Efforts 36:27

5M ago36:27

36:27

In this episode of The Cole Memo, I'm joined once again by Chicago Tribune reporter and author Ray Long for a deep dive into Illinois’ ongoing ethics crisis. We discuss his recent reporting on how, despite a wave of public corruption convictions—including former House Speaker Mike Madigan—lawmakers have made little effort to close glaring loopholes…

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#199 - Cannabis Odor Bill Moves Forward but a “Compromise” Could Weaken It 1:42:25

5M ago1:42:25

1:42:25

In this episode of The Cole Memo, I break down the latest twists in Illinois’ cannabis odorproof container bill—now the furthest it's ever advanced. We look at the House committee vote, unpack surprising testimony, and examine concerns over racial disparities, DUI enforcement, and so-called “trafficking loopholes.” I also share exclusive info from …

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#198 - Seeds of Change: Jason Brown on Education, Equity, and Five Years of Legal Weed in Illinois 2:00:03

5M ago2:00:03

2:00:03

In this episode of The Cole Memo, host Cole Preston welcomes Jason Brown, founder of Illinois News Joint, for a wide-ranging conversation covering five years of legal cannabis in Illinois, the rise of hemp, the evolution of product reviews, and his latest effort to give back: launching two scholarships for cannabis students at SIU and Oakton Colleg…

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#197 - Starting a small cannabis business in the state of Illinois 2:08:27

5M ago2:08:27

2:08:27

In this episode, I'll be joined by a small business owner to talk about how and why they started a cannabis business in the state of Illinois. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/05/09/e197/By Cole Preston

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#196 - Unpacking the Rules: Who Gets to Sell Cannabis in Illinois? 2:57:08

5M ago2:57:08

2:57:08

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole explores the widening divide between state-marijuana programs and the federally legal hemp market—two systems selling identical products under very different rules. I'll be joined by a guest in the state-marijuana program and a guest that participates in the federally legal hemp market. Watch video version and…

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#195 - IL Cannabis Business Owners Call for Change 1:25:33

5M ago1:25:33

1:25:33

In this live stream, I’ll cover a recent press conference where Illinois cannabis business owners called for relief from steep fees and burdensome regulations. I’ll also discuss Trump’s pick to lead the DEA, who recently said that reviewing marijuana’s federal status will be one of his first priorities, along with other updates. Watch video version…

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#194 - Dispensaries attacked with molotov cocktail & other news 1:26:21

5M ago1:26:21

1:26:21

In this episode, I'll be talking about a few dispensaries that were attacked with molotov cocktails and other news. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/05/02/e194/By Cole Preston

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#193 - The latest in cannabis news 34:42

6M ago34:42

34:42

In this episode, I share some of the latest cannabis news that has caught my attention. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/05/02/e193/By Cole Preston

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#192 – Inside the Silence: Military Sexual Trauma 1:48:08

6M ago1:48:08

1:48:08

Trigger warning: this episode contains detailed discussions of sexual violence, PTSD, and suicide. In this powerful and emotional episode of The Cole Memo, returning guest Torrin Richelle opens up about her experience with military sexual trauma (MST) during her service in the U.S. Army. She recounts the harassment, assault, and institutional failu…

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#191 - Live chat with Two Dope Dudes 1:53:20

6M ago1:53:20

1:53:20

In this special episode of The Cole Memo, I’m joined by Aaron and Dave — the voices behind The Elevated News Podcast and the driving forces behind SupportDopePeople.com. We talk about how their show started during the pandemic and how they’re using media to push cannabis culture forward in Illinois and beyond. We also reflect on breaking news aroun…

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#190 - Help End Cannabis-Odor-Based Vehicle Searches in Illinois 8:59

6M ago8:59

8:59

In this quick update, I share important news about Senate Bill 42, which would remove Illinois' requirement that cannabis be transported in an odorproof container—helping to end police searches based solely on the smell of cannabis. I explain where the bill stands, how you can help by filing a witness slip before the April 29 deadline, and why this…

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#189 - Banning Progress: How Texas Could Roll Back Cannabis Reform 58:22

6M ago58:22

58:22

On this special Bicycle Day episode of The Cole Memo, I'm joined by Austin Zamhariri of the Texas Cannabis Collective for a deep dive into Texas' escalating cannabis policy battles. We discuss the looming threat of a full hemp ban, the failures of the state's restrictive medical program, and how Texas' hemp market has provided broader legal access …

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#188 – Power, Patronage, and the House That Madigan Built: A Conversation with Ray Long 1:20:46

6M ago1:20:46

1:20:46

Award-winning investigative journalist Ray Long joins Cole Preston for a deep dive into the political legacy of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan—arguably the most powerful figure in the state’s modern political history. Read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/04/19/e188/By Cole Preston

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#187 - Illinois Medical Cannabis Portal Is Getting an Upgrade 21:58

6M ago21:58

21:58

In this episode, I share updates on the upcoming changes to Illinois’ medical cannabis portal—something I’ve been tracking since 2023. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/04/18/e187/By Cole Preston

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#186 - Behind the Counter: A Perspective on Smoke Shops & Legal Highs 1:21:41

6M ago1:21:41

1:21:41

Step inside the world of smoke shops with this eye-opening episode as we talk with Justine about the surprising—and sometimes concerning—realities of selling legal highs. From kratom and tianeptine (aka “gas station heroin”) to meth pipes, fake pee, and THCP gummies that can leave you high for days, we explore what people are really buying, why the…

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#185 – Recapping Hash Bash of 2025 1:32:44

6M ago1:32:44

1:32:44

This live episode of The Cole Memo takes you straight to Ann Arbor for a boots-on-the-ground look at Hash Bash 2025. Phil returns from Michigan to talk about the storied cannabis protest, the wild mix of licensed and underground vendors, and how Ann Arbor feels like another country when it comes to drug policy. We unpack its historical roots, moder…