The Cole Memo

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole covers a major upcoming Illinois cannabis town hall and breaks down a viral controversy surrounding inflated THC potency labels in dispensaries. A Reddit post and independent testing results raise serious questions about accuracy and trust in cannabis testing, highlighting how young and evolving the industry still is. The main segment features a deep dive into Missouri’s rapidly escalating hemp policy battle. Business owners Nick Thomas and Jamie share firsthand accounts of a proposed bill that could effectively eliminate hemp-derived products, including CBD. They discuss barriers to entering the licensed market, lobbying influence, and what they see as a coordinated effort to consolidate control. The conversation also explores federal uncertainty, potential legal challenges, and what comes next if the ban moves forward. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/04/07/e272/

In this episode, I’m joined by Brad Spirrison to discuss the relaunch of GrownIn and what it means for cannabis commerce and culture in Chicago and the broader Midwest. We talk about why the region is uniquely positioned as a hub for cannabis talent, business, and innovation, and how this next chapter aims to bring those pieces together in a more intentional way. We also dive into the upcoming Midwest Cannabis Forum on May 28, including who should attend, what kind of conversations to expect, and why events like this matter as the industry continues to evolve. Along the way, we touch on federal rescheduling, the rise of hemp beverages, and the importance of aligning stakeholders around the reality that it is all one plant. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/04/03/e271/

In this episode, Cole breaks down a major Illinois cannabis licensing case heading to court, where questions around transparency, fairness, and hidden relationships are front and center. With hundreds of allegedly ineligible applications impacting the odds, the outcome of this case could reshape how people view the state’s licensing process. Cole also shares a personal milestone, announcing his official entry into the industry and what that means moving forward. Plus, a quick recap of recent episodes and what to keep an eye on next. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/04/03/e270/

In this episode, Cole sits down with longtime lobbyist Mark Peysakhovich to unpack how policy actually gets made behind the scenes in Springfield. With over 30 years of experience, Mark shares his journey from immigrating to the United States to becoming a key figure in state legislative affairs, working across cannabis, hemp, healthcare, and more. The conversation goes far beyond cannabis, diving into how lobbying really works, why “just explaining the facts” is rarely enough, and how competing interests shape the laws that impact everyday people. From the fight over hemp to the realities of legalization, this episode offers a candid look at power, policy, and the gap between intention and outcome. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/03/27/e269/

In this episode, I sit down with a fellow advocate to discuss a headline story involving alleged cocaine cash laundering tied to an Illinois cannabis licensee, along with the latest updates from Springfield. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/03/27/e268/

In this episode of The Cole Memo, we break down several key developments shaping cannabis policy right now. From ongoing confusion around Illinois’ odor-proof container law to new concerns about DUI testing accuracy, there’s no shortage of questions about how these rules are actually being applied in the real world. We also take a look at labor wins in the industry and what they could mean for workers moving forward. Beyond Illinois, we explore growing pressure on Indiana to legalize cannabis as surrounding states continue to move ahead. Plus, we dig into a new push from the alcohol industry to delay a federal hemp THC ban and what that could mean for the future of the market. As always, we keep it high-level but focused on the bigger picture behind these shifting policies. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/03/24/e267/

This episode of The Cole Memo breaks down two major stories shaping the conversation around cannabis policy in Illinois. First, new developments in the University of Illinois Chicago drug testing lab controversy raise serious questions about past DUI cases, scientific standards, and accountability. As more cases get dropped, the conversation around faulty testing continues to grow. Then, we shift to a real-world example of how confusing cannabis laws can be. After a public statement from law enforcement about possession rules, Cole reaches out directly for clarification and walks through what the law actually says. From odor-based searches to vehicle rules and common misconceptions, this segment highlights how easily misinformation can spread and why clarity matters. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/03/23/e266/

This episode of The Cole Memo covers a handful of stories that show how messy cannabis policy can get once it leaves the page and enters the real world. Cole breaks down the arrest of an Illinois man returning from Michigan with cannabis, reacts to the online conversation around that case, and looks at Senator Rachel Ventura’s latest psilocybin proposal and what it could mean for broader drug policy in Illinois. The episode also explores questions surrounding Revolution dispensaries in Illinois, including branding changes, online speculation, and a Cook County lawsuit that may help explain what viewers have been noticing. Cole then wraps with a look at Grown Rogue’s reported move into Illinois through an existing Dwight facility, raising bigger questions about expansion, restructuring, and how cannabis licensing really works in this state. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/03/13/e265/

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole is joined by hemp farmer and congressional candidate Stacy McCaskill for a wide-ranging conversation about cannabis policy, the hemp industry, and the challenges of entering politics as an independent voice. They discuss the ongoing debate between hemp and marijuana markets, why many small operators see the 2018 Farm Bill as their only on-ramp into the cannabis industry, and the tension between large licensed operators and emerging hemp businesses. The conversation also explores the realities of running for Congress, including ballot access rules, the influence of entrenched political power, and the role independent candidates can play in disrupting the current system. Along the way, they examine regulation, market competition, and the broader question of whether current cannabis policies truly serve consumers, farmers, and small entrepreneurs. Read full show notes or watch video version here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/03/12/e264/

In this laid-back episode of The Cole Memo, Cole sits down with Byron, host of the Lost and Faded podcast, for a fun conversation about cannabis, movies, and building an independent creative platform. Byron shares how he got started in the cannabis industry, what inspired him to launch a podcast centered around smoking and talking about films, and how the show has grown into a space for movie lovers, stoners, and creators alike. The conversation bounces from first smoking stories and getting caught back in the day to favorite strains, high movie recommendations, Scary Movie 6, Napoleon Dynamite, subtitles, horror, and the joys of making content from the ground up. It is a relaxed, funny, and very human conversation between two Illinois creators just talking shop and having a good time. Watch video version and read full show notes: https://thecolememo.com/2026/03/03/e263/