The Elevated News Podcast

Illinois marijuana reform is back on the table. Four new bills have moved to the Senate Cannabis Subcommittee, including two omnibus cannabis bills and two conflicting hemp regulation bills. Is this real progress or another round of stalled reform?

We break down Senate Bill 4015, Senate Bill 4048, and the competing hemp bills including SB 3377, SB 3820, and SB 3919. What does this mean for hemp drinks, intoxicating hemp products, enforcement, and potential fines?

Plus:

• Michigan marijuana sales drop 16 percent after a major tax hike

• Are cannabis taxes finally catching up to consumers?

• The Supreme Court takes up a major case on whether cannabis users can own firearms

• The ACLU and NRA on the same side? Yes, really.

We also feature My Bud Jon’s cannabis review of Superboof by Redemption Botanicals and Superboof rosin by Mountain High Melts. If you are shopping in Illinois, this segment helps you make informed decisions before you buy.

Read more from Illinois News Joint:

https://www.illinoisnewsjoint.com

Support the show by liking, subscribing, and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Share this episode with someone who cares about cannabis policy, gun rights, or hemp regulation.

Watch the full video version on YouTube and join the live chat every week.

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The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes is your source for Midwest cannabis news, culture, policy, and honest product reviews. Subscribe and stay elevated.

00:00:00 - Spicy Intro song you love!

00:00:58 - Cole is back again!

00:03:30 - Cantrip drinks for Cole, a discount code and discussion about hemp drinks.

00:05:51 - Incentivizing innovation.

00:07:02 - Responding to your youtube comments from ep 130

00:12:24 - DailyHomegrown talks www.theseedlocker.com

00:23:01 - How to support us

00:26:25 - My Bud Jon reviews SuperBoof by Redemption Botanicals and Superboof Rosin by Mountain High Melts

00:33:02 - Is Sen Kimberly Lightford the new Cannabis bill leader in Illinois?

00:39:50 - Conflicting hemp bills reach Cannabis Committee

00:46:15 - Tax hike crashed Michigan marijuana sales

00:52:53 - A Supreme Court case over whether marijuana users can own guns is creating unusual alliances

00:57:38 - Jordan Davidson from SAM reacts to supreme court case

01:08:33 - If you get lost, come find us!

01:10:14 - Outro

The cannabis industry just got more interesting.

Illinois retailers sold a RECORD number of cannabis products in 2025, yet revenue dropped by nearly $200 million. What is really happening behind the numbers? Is this true price compression, market correction, or proof the system was built wrong from the start?

Guest cohost Cole Preston of The Cole Memo joins Aaron to break it all down.

We also cover Minnesota’s slow recreational rollout, massive testing backlogs, a multi-million dollar Michigan grow bust, and the FDA missing its federal hemp deadline as the clock ticks toward potential cannabinoid bans.

Check out the new segment from My Bud (tender) Jon rates and reviews!

If you care about cannabis policy, enforcement, market structure, or where prices are headed next, this episode connects the dots.

Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of The Elevated News Podcast.

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Is Illinois correcting itself, or is the model breaking?

Follow Cole Preston at https://www.colememo.com

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See you in the comments.

00:00:00 - fun intro song

00:01:00 - Daves not here man, but Cole is!

00:02:46 - Plugs- www.supportdopepeople.com www.colememo.com

00:05:21 - Youtube comments from ep 129

00:13:34 - Call for Beta Testers @ theseedlocker.com

00:16:31 - Witness slip season! colememo.com/odorproof Stop Vehicle Searches based on Cannabis Odor.

00:25:56 - Jim Belushi comments on unlicensed hemp and cannabis operators at Benzinga 2024

00:33:31 - Minnesota market update from Travis Cullen instagram

00:36:21 - Testing backlog is latest bottleneck for Minnesota’s recreational marijuana market - MSN.com

00:38:12 - Over 11,000 Plants Found in Multi-Million Dollar Metro Detroit Marijuana Bust - MetroDetroitNews.com

00:41:36 - Illinois Provides Another Cannabis Update -NewCannabisVentures

00:42:36 - Illinois cannabis retailers sold record amount of product in 2025 – but made less money -MJBizDaily

00:50:17 - FDA Misses Deadline To Publish Cannabinoid List And Define Hemp ‘Containers,’ Drawing Industry Criticism - Marijuana Moment

00:58:26 - My Bud Jon rates and reviews!

01:02:09 - life is short, do the thing.

01:06:02 - doughnuts!

Is cannabis medicine, wellness, recreation… or all three?

In Episode 129 of The Elevated News Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Amanda Reiman, PhD, MSW, cannabis researcher, policy expert, former Drug Policy Alliance leader, and founder of Personal Plants, for one of the most balanced and honest conversations we have ever had about cannabis.

We break down:

• The real risks of cannabis use

• What a THC overdose actually is

• Medical vs wellness vs recreational use

• Minimum effective dose and why most people over consume

• Cannabis and mental health

• Why U.S. research is so limited

• Capitalism, corporatization, and the future of legalization

• How stories change laws

• Why legalization is not perfect but still better than prohibition

Dr. Reiman brings a rare middle ground perspective. Cannabis has powerful benefits, but it also has risks. The key is mindful use.

If you care about cannabis policy, health, harm reduction, or the future of legalization, this is a must watch episode.

Timestamps:

00:00 Tasty Intro

00:58 Introducing Dr. Amanda Reiman

02:42 Dr. Reiman’s backstory and cannabis activism

10:43 Harms and risks in cannabis use

16:43 When cannabis may lead to harm

22:58 Tips for safer cannabis use

30:09 Condition treatment vs symptom relief

35:26 The state of cannabis research

44:20 What she is optimistic about in the next 5 years

55:21 Law enforcement, prohibition, and money

59:21 Critical thinking shoutout

01:01:19 www.MyPersonalPlants.com

01:03:02 Outro

If you have ever wondered:

How much weed is too much?

Can you actually overdose on THC?

Is cannabis treating conditions or just symptoms?

What happens next for legalization?

This episode answers it.

Drop a comment and tell us:

Do you think cannabis is mostly medical, wellness, or recreational?

What does mindful use mean to you?

Subscribe for weekly Midwest cannabis news, culture, and policy breakdowns.

Watch, like, share, and most importantly, think critically.

Follow Dr. Amanda Reiman:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-reiman-phd-msw

https://www.MyPersonalPlants.com

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#Cannabis #Legalization #MedicalCannabis #THC #DrugPolicy #HarmReduction #TwoDopeDudes

Winter blues, cannabis truths, and a BIG shift happening in the industry 👀🌿 This episode is a real one — from mental health and seasonal burnout to major moves in the cannabis market that could change the game for growers and consumers alike.

Aaron and Dave kick things off talking about winter, community, and why getting outside (or even just tending plants under grow lights) can be a serious mental health tool. Then it’s straight into Midwest cannabis news, industry shake-ups, and a deep dive into why THC drinks are suddenly everywhere. 

In this episode, we get into:

❄️ Seasonal depression & cannabis — the connection between sunlight, vitamin D, movement, and how growing or being around plants can boost mental wellness

🥏 Community as medicine — disc golf, shared hobbies, and why social connection matters just as much as the plant

🌱 Illinois cannabis updates — new omnibus bills, medical patient access, and what’s not being fixed yet

💰 Falling sales & market pressure — what shrinking numbers could mean for the future of the Illinois cannabis industry

🚨 California’s illicit market crackdown — record seizures and what happens when legal systems squeeze small operators

🏢 Corporate consolidation alert — major gardening and cannabis companies making huge acquisition moves that could impact growers nationwide

🥤 THC drinks takeover — why cannabis beverages are exploding during “Dry January,” how they differ from edibles, and why they might be better for beginners

🧠 Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner — the science behind cannabis drinks vs edibles, bioavailability, onset time, and microdosing

This episode blends cannabis policy, personal health, industry insight, and real-life experience — exactly how the plant fits into everyday life beyond the headlines. 

Support the show and save with our partners below.

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Subscribe to The Elevated News Podcast on youtube, join the live chat!

Leave a review, share the episode, and tell us what topic you want us to cover next.

Sources discussed in the show:

https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/illinois-releases-cannabis-sales-totals-for-2025/

https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/illinois-house-introduces-third-cannabis-omnibus-bill/

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/california-reports-record-illicit-cannabis-seizures-as-cultivation-tax-cut/614209/

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/scotts-miracle-gro-to-sell-off-cannabis-subsidiary-to-marijuana-mso-vireo-growth/614203/

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/business/cannabis-thc-alcoholic-beverages.html

Cannabis sales are breaking records across the country, but the real story is what is happening underneath the surface.

In this episode of The Elevated News Podcast, Two Dope Dudes break down fresh cannabis sales data from Arkansas, Minnesota, Michigan, and Montana, revealing what strong numbers, soft months, and billion dollar milestones actually mean for the future of legal cannabis.

We also dive into new research showing that sterilization and remediation do not fully remove toxic fungi from cannabis, raising serious questions about consumer safety and large scale production practices. Plus, we unpack the ATF’s move to loosen federal gun restrictions for cannabis users and what that shift could mean for Second Amendment rights.

The episode wraps with Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner, where we dig into cannabis math, methods of consumption, absorption rates, and why cannabinoid ratios matter far more than chasing THC percentages.

If you care about cannabis policy, market trends, consumer safety, or using cannabis more intentionally, this episode delivers real context without the hype.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Arkansas medical cannabis sales hitting a record $291 million in 2025

• Minnesota adult use cannabis sales since launch and ongoing market bottlenecks

• Michigan cannabis sales trends and why December slowed down

• Montana surpassing $1 billion in adult use cannabis sales

• Why remediation does not fully remove toxic fungi from cannabis

• ATF changes to gun restrictions for cannabis users

• Missouri growers fined for breaking the “immaculate conception” rule

• Cannabis dosing, absorption, and smarter consumption strategies

Sources discussed in this episode:

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/arkansas-medical-cannabis-sales-hit-record-291-million-in-2025/614135/

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/minnesota-adult-use-cannabis-sales-hit-31-million-since-september-launch/614124/

https://www.newcannabisventures.com/michigan-cannabis-sales-were-soft-in-december/

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/montana-retailers-have-sold-more-than-1-billion-worth-of-recreational-marijuana-since-legalization-took-effect/

https://www.technologynetworks.com/analysis/news/sterilization-does-not-fully-remove-toxic-fungi-from-cannabis-408810

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/atf-moves-to-loosen-gun-ban-for-people-whove-used-marijuana-or-other-illegal-drugs/

https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/23/missouri-cannabis-growers-fined-for-breaking-the-immaculate-conception-rule/

Subscribe to The Elevated News Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your favorite podcast app.

Leave a review, share the episode, and tell us what topic you want us to cover next.

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New cannabis reform bills are already being introduced in Illinois, Virginia is debating a $20 million adult-use conversion fee, and researchers claim they’ve created a standard way to measure cannabis use. We break down what these developments actually mean and where the logic starts to fall apart.

In Episode 126 of The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes, Aaron and Dave dig into early Illinois cannabis legislation, including proposed changes to the Cannabis Equity Commission and medical cannabis program. They also examine Virginia’s controversial cannabis license conversion fees and why some operators see them as a bargain while others call them monopolization.

The episode also covers a new study from the UK proposing standardized THC units, sparking a deep conversation about cannabis math, dosing, milligrams versus percentages, and why bad measurements lead to bad policy. Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner delivers a clear breakdown of how cannabis numbers actually work and why understanding them is critical for patients and consumers.

We also touch on federal news as the Senate advances a spending bill that continues protecting state medical marijuana programs while leaving cannabis rescheduling off the table.

If you care about cannabis policy, medical access, legalization realities, and understanding how to dose responsibly without the confusion, this episode is for you.

Subscribe, share the episode, and stay elevated.

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The federal government is easing alcohol consumption guidance while cannabis remains federally illegal and medical marijuana patients continue losing access. In Episode 125 of The Elevated News Podcast, Two Dope Dudes break down the growing hypocrisy in federal drug policy and what it means for patients, public health, and the future of legalization.

This episode covers the Trump administration backing away from alcohol limits while marijuana stays criminalized, even as more Americans turn to cannabis for health and wellness. We also dive into a real world medical cannabis crisis in Illinois, where a family risks losing access to seizure preventing cannabis patches that transformed their daughter’s life.

Aaron and Dave discuss interstate commerce barriers, proprietary cannabis products, and how current laws continue to fail medical patients. The conversation highlights Ashley’s Law, supply shortages, and why access to consistent medication matters.

Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner takes a deep dive into epilepsy and cannabis science, including CBD, THC, CBG, seizure regulation, and how the endocannabinoid system helps manage neurological conditions. If you or someone you love deals with seizures or chronic conditions, this episode delivers practical insight and education.

Topics discussed:

Federal alcohol policy changes

Cannabis remaining federally illegal

Medical marijuana access failures

Illinois patient supply shortages

Ashley’s Law and seizure patch access

Cannabis and epilepsy science

CBD dosing and cannabinoid education

Listen, subscribe, and share The Elevated News Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Your support helps amplify patient voices and real cannabis education.

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Michigan just imposed a new 24 percent wholesale cannabis tax and the industry is already reacting. We break down what this tax actually means, who really pays it, and why the panic outside Michigan does not match the reality on the ground.

Illinois regulators are celebrating a so called “transformative year” in their FY2025 cannabis report. We dig into the IDFPR and IDPH numbers to see what actually changed, what stayed the same, and where the data does not support the narrative being pushed.

Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner returns with an honest and necessary conversation about suppositories, medical cannabis, and why method of ingestion matters far more than most people want to admit.

This episode covers Midwest cannabis news, medical cannabis data, state level power plays, and real world market impacts you will not hear anywhere else.

If you care about cannabis legalization, medical access, taxes, and where this industry is heading in 2026, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for weekly cannabis news and long-form conversations.

Share this episode with someone who still thinks cannabis policy is simple.

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––––––––––––––––––

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:58 Welcome back and post-break recap

00:03:36 A small Amish break

00:09:43 BuildASoil affiliate plugs

00:11:27 YouTube comments and community shoutouts

00:21:20 Michigan cannabis businesses react to the 24 percent wholesale tax

00:33:23 Illinois IDFPR highlights its FY2025 cannabis report

00:40:06 Breaking down the Illinois Department of Public Health cannabis numbers

00:54:20 Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner on suppositories

01:01:22 Square peg, round hole

01:03:27 Outro

––––––––––––––––––

LISTEN AND CONNECT

Listen to The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.

Watch the full video version and subscribe on YouTube for weekly cannabis news and live discussions.

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The cannabis industry is under pressure heading into 2026 🌱

In episode 123 of The Elevated News Podcast, Two Dope Dudes break down the mounting regulatory, economic, and political pressure reshaping cannabis and hemp across the United States.

This episode focuses on the growing strain between access and control. States are tightening hemp rules, reworking cannabis frameworks, and in some cases openly questioning adult use markets. What started as legalization is evolving into layered regulation, taxation, and enforcement that is squeezing operators, consumers, and patients alike.

We cover state level developments including Wisconsin’s hemp safety initiative, Michigan’s hemp licensing overhaul, Hawaii’s hemp expansion efforts, and active repeal conversations in Massachusetts and Arizona. We also examine Virginia’s slow path toward legal sales, changes in Ohio, and what Rhode Island and Delaware signal for 2026.

Beyond the headlines, this conversation digs into the real pressure points inside the industry. THC based taxation. Product recalls and recycling systems. Medical versus adult use policy. Access versus restriction. And why standardization often benefits regulators more than consumers.

We also discuss how rescheduling, hemp reclassification, and federal inaction are leaving states to make aggressive moves that may redefine cannabis markets before 2026 even begins.

This episode is for anyone trying to understand where cannabis policy is actually heading and who feels the pressure building from every direction.

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💥 Stay Connected

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Join the conversation in the comments.

Where is the industry being squeezed the hardest right now?

What pressure are you feeling as a consumer, patient, or operator?

Timestamps ⏱️

00:00 Industry pressure heading into 2026

05:10 Hemp regulation tightening across states

12:30 State level policy shifts explained

22:00 Adult use repeal conversations

31:45 Taxes, recalls, and market strain

42:10 Medical vs adult use tension

55:30 Federal rescheduling and hemp uncertainty

1:07:00 What pressure means for 2026

Cannabis rescheduling is finally moving forward, but what does it actually mean for patients, homegrowers, and the industry?

In this episode of The Elevated News Podcast, Two Dope Dudes break down the federal executive order to reschedule marijuana, what Schedule 3 really changes, and why Illinois regulators are quietly expanding enforcement powers at the same time. From dispensary distance rules to warrantless seizures, this episode is packed with facts, context, and real talk you are not hearing anywhere else.

We also cover reactions from major Illinois cannabis executives, explain the legal consequences of rescheduling, and dig into why this could take years instead of months. Plus, Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner helps you prepare for New Year’s resolutions using cannabinoids the smart way.

If you care about cannabis policy, homegrow rights, medical access, or the future of legalization, this is a must watch.

Watch, comment, and share so this information reaches more people. 🔥🌱

Subscribe for weekly Midwest cannabis news, policy breakdowns, and industry insight.

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Support independent cannabis media and Support dope people

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:58 - Merry Christmas!

00:03:28 - Affiliate codes and plugs

00:04:42 - Youtube comments

00:12:33 - IDFPR proposes amendment for dispensary location restrictions

00:20:57 - IDOR can conduct arrests and seizure without a warrant???????

00:24:07 - Illinois Executives react to Rescheduling EO

00:33:24 - What to know about the EO to reschedule Marijuana

00:42:37 - When is Marijuana officially rescheduled?

00:47:16 - "Legal Consequences or Rescheduling Marijuana" Legal sidebar

01:01:54 - Daves Conditional Cannabis Corner- Keeping your New Years Resolution

01:06:03 - Closing thoughts and MERRY CHRISTMAS

01:08:10 - Outro