For more than six years, Chicago Tribune reporter Robert McCoppin has documented the evolution of Illinois' cannabis industry, from the earliest legalization debates to today's fights over home grow, market concentration, ownership transparency, hemp, and continued criminalization. In this episode, Robert joins me to reflect on the stories behind the headlines and what he's learned covering one of the state's most consequential policy changes. We discuss campaign contributions during legalization, limited licensing, why Illinois remains one of the nation's most expensive cannabis markets, the ongoing debate over home cultivation, cannabis seed sales, public access to ownership records, management agreements, hemp regulation, and whether Illinois has lived up to its promises of social equity. If you've followed Illinois cannabis over the past six years, this conversation offers an inside look at how one of the state's leading reporters has covered it all. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/07/21/e301/

Damian Fagon, policy director at the Parabola Center for Law and Policy, joins the show to discuss a new analysis of Illinois' cannabis market and the structural advantages held by large multi-state operators and incumbent medical cannabis companies. We discuss market concentration, cultivation capacity, vertical integration, management agreements, consumer choice, and why hundreds of cannabis brands may create an illusion of competition. Damian also discusses continued cannabis arrests after legalization, the role of corporate influence in cannabis policy, New York's approach to legalization, and why he believes states must put consumers, small businesses, and civil liberties ahead of commercialization. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/07/08/e300/

Dr. Eric Lee returns to The Cole Memo to discuss major changes facing Oregon's legal psilocybin program. Lee explains how rising licensing fees could push operators out of the industry, why legal psilocybin sessions remain unaffordable for many people, and how his clinic is working to keep services accessible. Cole and Dr. Lee also discuss the challenges of building a legal psychedelic industry, Oregon's limited testing infrastructure, comparisons to Colorado and ketamine treatment, and the long-term future of psilocybin access. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/07/08/e299/

J.B. Pritzker, the Governor of Illinois, has officially signed Illinois' latest cannabis omnibus bill into law, marking one of the biggest updates to the state's cannabis regulations since adult-use legalization. In this episode, we livestream the signing ceremony from Sway Dispensary, break down the bill's major provisions, and hear directly from Governor J.B. Pritzker, social equity operators, patient advocates, physicians, and industry leaders about what the legislation is intended to accomplish. After the ceremony, journalist Brad Spirrison joins the show to discuss the cannabis questions he asked the governor, including what changes could still be made to Illinois' cannabis program and questions surrounding enforcement of the state's new hemp restrictions. We also answer viewer questions about medical cannabis access, implementation timelines, hemp beverages, home grow, and the future of cannabis policy in Illinois. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/07/02/e298/

Illinois law has allowed qualifying medical cannabis patients to purchase cannabis seeds from licensed dispensaries since adult-use legalization took effect, but six years later, patients still can't buy them. In this episode, Cole Preston revisits reporting dating back to 2020, examines a 2022 response from state officials identifying Illinois' seed-to-sale software as a potential obstacle, and asks whether that technical limitation still exists after the state's transition to a new tracking system. Cole also explores why this question has become more important following Illinois' latest cannabis law changes, which are expected to significantly restrict access to cannabis seeds through traditional retail and online hemp channels. He breaks down what the law says, what state agencies have told him, what they have not answered, and why transparency on this issue matters for Illinois home growers. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/07/02/e297/

The federal cannabis rescheduling hearings are underway, and this episode breaks down the biggest developments from the first two days. We cover testimony from DEA and FDA officials, arguments over the government's shift from a five-part to a two-part medical use test, and reactions from opponents of the proposed move to Schedule III. We also discuss what the hearings do and do not address, including why the proceedings focus on regulation rather than legalization. Plus, we look at the U.S. Supreme Court's recent gun rights ruling for cannabis consumers and how that decision is already influencing other cases, including potential implications for Illinois. As always, you'll find links to the original reporting and sources discussed throughout the episode. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/06/30/e296/

Cole sits down with striking workers and representatives from Teamsters Local 916 to discuss the ongoing labor dispute at Ascend Wellness' cultivation facility in Barry, Illinois. They explain why more than 300 workers walked off the job, outline their concerns over wages, health care, overtime, workplace safety, and contract negotiations, and respond directly to portions of Ascend's public statement. The conversation also explores what the strike could mean for Illinois' cannabis supply chain, consumer concerns surrounding cultivation conditions, and what both sides would need to do to return to the bargaining table. Throughout the interview, Cole emphasizes transparency by explaining how the interview came together and offers Ascend the opportunity to share its perspective in a future episode. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/06/30/e295/

Illinois cannabis laws continue to evolve, and this week we're breaking down some of the latest developments. We discuss the Illinois Department of Agriculture's new informational bulletin on Senate Bill 3222, including expanded craft grow canopy limits, new labeling requirements for medical cannabis, transporter updates, and other regulatory changes. We also take a look at whether Illinois' recent increase in possession limits could impact cannabis sales across the state. At the federal level, we cover the upcoming DEA marijuana rescheduling hearings, new scheduling details, efforts to make the proceedings publicly accessible, developments involving firearm rights for medical cannabis patients, and a surprising White House request urging Congress to reconsider broad hemp restrictions before they take effect later this year. We wrap things up with a post-show discussion on cannabis beverage dosage limits, tolerance, and why dosage caps continue to be a major point of debate. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/06/30/e294/

Fresh off the IgniteIt Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago, Cole shares reactions from cannabis operators, industry stakeholders, and policymakers following the passage of Illinois' landmark cannabis omnibus legislation. Hear what business owners, advocates, and legal professionals are saying about expanded possession limits, medical cannabis access, hemp regulation, and the many unanswered questions that remain as the law moves into implementation. The episode also explores major federal developments, including DEA inspections tied to cannabis rescheduling efforts, an upcoming federal hearing on Schedule III, and the growing debate over the future of hemp. Plus, hear highlights from Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton's appearance at IgniteIt and learn why many industry participants are optimistic about the road ahead, even as uncertainty remains. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/06/22/e293/

Governor JB Pritzker has signed Illinois’ cannabis omnibus legislation into law, marking one of the most significant updates to the state’s cannabis regulations since adult-use sales began in 2020. In this episode, we break down the new law, including expanded possession limits, free medical cannabis licenses for adult-use dispensaries, drive-thru and curbside sales, telehealth certifications, craft grow expansion, and new rules surrounding ownership disclosures and investment interests. We also discuss a new Chicago Sun-Times investigation involving cannabis ownership disclosures, questions surrounding implementation and rulemaking, and a recent report showing Illinois continues to lead adult-use states in cannabis arrest rates despite legalization. Plus, an update on upcoming FOIA requests, state responses, and what stories we're tracking next. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/06/18/e292/