The Elevated News Podcast

The cannabis hype cycle is back and this time it is rescheduling. In Episode 121 of The Elevated News Podcast, Two Dope Dudes break down what cannabis rescheduling actually means, why it is not the silver bullet many think it is, and what really matters for patients, operators, and consumers.

We cover major Illinois cannabis updates, a key U.S. Supreme Court decision rejecting a marijuana industry challenge, and major medical marijuana expansion news from Alabama and the South. Plus, Dave dives deep into cannabis as a neuroprotectant and why cannabinoids matter for brain health, TBIs, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and more.

If you care about cannabis policy, medical marijuana science, and real talk without hype, this episode is for you.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major streaming platforms.

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ARTICLES AND SOURCES DISCUSSED

IDFPR solicits feedback for Administrative Cannabis Rules

https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/idfpr-solicits-feedback-for-administrative-cannabis-rules/

Division of Cannabis Regulation updates video permit form

https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/division-of-cannabis-regulation-updates-video-permit-form/

Alabama officials approve medical marijuana dispensary licenses

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/alabama-officials-approve-medical-marijuana-dispensary-licenses-readying-program-for-sales-to-start-in-2026/

U.S. Supreme Court rejects marijuana companies’ challenge

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/u-s-supreme-court-rejects-marijuana-companies-case-challenging-federal-prohibition/

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What do you think about cannabis rescheduling?

Do you believe Schedule 3 will actually help patients and small operators?

Should Illinois cannabis rules change and how?

Drop your thoughts in the comments, like the video, and share this episode with someone who needs real cannabis news not hype 🌱🔥

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:58 - We're the Two Dope Dudes

00:04:59 - Plugs and affiliate codes

00:07:31 - Responding to your youtube comments

00:13:29 - IDFPR solicits feedback for Administrative Cannabis Rules - Illinois News Joint

00:23:18 - Division of Cannabis Regulation updates Video Permit Form - Illinois News Joint

00:32:13 - Alabama Officials Approve Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licenses, Readying Program For Sales To Start In 2026

00:45:12 - U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Marijuana Companies’ Case Challenging Federal Prohibition

00:50:02 - Why Rescheduling isn't what you think

00:57:13 - Dave's Conditional Cannabis Corner - Using cannabis as a neuroprotectant

01:10:05 - Don't feel guilty to feel good.

01:15:02 - Outro

Welcome back to The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes, your source for Midwest cannabis news, culture, and community. In this episode we cover a packed week of headlines and take a deep dive into the growing mental health crisis in America.

Chicago considers an early ban on hemp products months before the federal deadline. PharmaCann and 4Front default on rent again and face possible eviction. The Illinois Department of Public Health proposes new medical cannabis conditions. Texas expands its Compassionate Use Program. We also talk Thanksgiving, disc golf, freeze dryers, solar panels, and read your YouTube comments.

Dave brings a powerful installment of Conditional Cannabis Corner, breaking down how overstimulation, social media, and modern pressures are shaping mental health and why cannabis may play a stabilizing role.

If you enjoy the show, share it with a friend and leave a rating. It helps us reach more listeners.

Chicago grocery store parking lot drug sales investigation

https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-grocery-store-parking-lot-drug-sales

PharmaCann and 4Front default on rent

https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/iip-declares-pharmacann-and-4front-in-default-for-nonpayment-of-rent

IDPH medical cannabis amendments

https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/idph-proposes-amendments-for-medical-cannabis-patients

Proposed Chicago hemp ordinance

https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2025/12/02/hemp-ban-chicago-thc-beverages-illinois

Texas DPS Compassionate Use Program expansion

https://www.dps.texas.gov/news/dps-update-phase-i-texas-compassionate-use-program-expansion-selection-process

BuildASoil

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The Green Gro

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00:00 Intro

00:58 Welcome back

04:39 Thanksgiving

07:39 How to find us and affiliate codes

13:49 YouTube comments

18:04 Chicago grocery store drug bust

24:48 PharmaCann and 4Front default

28:43 New IDPH medical cannabis amendments

35:21 Chicago hemp ordinance

39:45 Texas Compassionate Use expansion

45:27 Conditional Cannabis Corner

1:06:51 Final thoughts

1:09:40 Outro

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TwoDopeDudes

Support Dope People: https://supportdopepeople.com

Peace Love and Cope Live Show: Thursdays at 8 PM Central on YouTube

Thank you for being part of this community. Smoke weed every day and stay safe, friends.

The Two Dope Dudes are back with a loaded Thanksgiving week episode packed with Midwest cannabis news, real talk about the industry, and a whole lot of community love. From Ohio’s overnight cannabis and hemp overhaul to Illinois sales falling short for reparations funding, this one digs deep with insight, honesty, and humor. We break down the headlines, read your YouTube comments, talk DJ Short Blueberry genetics, and share our top five ways to survive family time during the holidays.

We are YOUR source for Midwest cannabis news and culture and more. Tap in, CannaFam.

Episode Highlights

• Ohio lawmakers rush a late night cannabis and hemp rewrite

• Illinois dispensary sales fall behind reparations funding expectations

• Federal bill seeks to reverse new hemp THC restrictions

• DJ Short Blueberry makes a surprising comeback

• The truth behind Black Friday cannabis sales and recycling old inventory

• Your comments from last episode

• Our top five ways to deal with your family this holiday

• A whole lot of laughs, stories, and community love

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:58 - Thanksgiving plans for the two dope dudes

00:04:41 - Canna Fam and Black Friday retail.

00:12:52 - what's the deal with DJ Short's blueberry?

00:16:11 - Plugs and codes to save you $$$

00:19:28 - Youtube comments!

00:26:43 - Ohio lawmakers advance overnight deal on cannabis, hemp law overhaul

00:33:50 - Marijuana sales not keeping up for reparations payments

00:43:35 - New GOP-Led Bill In Congress Would Reverse Hemp THC Ban That Trump Signed Into Law

00:47:12 - As ‘California sober’ catches on, study suggests cannabis use reduces short-term alcohol consumption

00:57:29 - Top 5 ways to deal with your family this holiday!

01:09:04 - Thankful to YOU, our listeners.

01:11:30 - Outro

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Comment and tell us your Thanksgiving plans

Smash the like button if you support Midwest cannabis news

Subscribe so you never miss a new episode

Welcome back to The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes - YOUR source for Midwest cannabis news, culture, and more! 🌱🔥

Today’s episode is a heavy hitter: Illinois sales plummet, the feds tighten their grip, hemp faces a nationwide ban, and federal prosecutors are gearing up for a new wave of enforcement. Buckle up, this one matters.

We’re breaking down:

✔️ Illinois cannabis sales dropping 20–30%, even as items sold go up

✔️ The new FEDERAL ban on intoxicating hemp products

✔️ DOJ scrapping Biden-era “don’t prosecute simple possession” guidance

✔️ Federal attorneys calling marijuana a “hazard”

✔️ Why enforcement is coming — and what that means for the Midwest

✔️ How the transition to Biotrack/Metrc exposes real market numbers

✔️ Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner: Cannabis + Aerobic Exercise for Brain Health

We also shout out our community legends, respond to YouTube comments, and show some love to Dr. Danknugz and Macho Grambs (“The Cannabis Bible” author).

Stay informed. Stay elevated. Stay resilient. 🌿✊

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📚 The Cannabis Bible – Macho Grambs

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FZ1NHDFL

🎥 Dr. Danknugz YouTube Channel

https://youtube.com/@Dr.DankNugz

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⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:58 Tell me about the intros again, George

00:02:49 Herban Legends winners

00:05:23 Plugs + Discount Codes

00:07:26 Responding to YOUR YouTube Comments

00:10:45 The Cannabis Bible by Macho Grambs

00:10:59 Dr. Danknugz shows love

00:11:50 Illinois sales totals drop significantly

00:24:49 Illinois revisits hemp regulation after federal ban

00:32:29 Feds to prosecute cannabis use on federal land

00:36:37 Trump admin calls marijuana a “hazard”

00:51:57 Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner - Cannabis & Aerobic Fitness

01:04:19 Final Thoughts

01:06:12 Outro

Intro and outro by David Cope and Suno.

The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes

We are YOUR source for Midwest cannabis news, culture, and more! 🌿

This week, Aaron and Dave brave the early snow to bring you a packed episode full of laughs, insight, and real Midwest cannabis talk. From disc golf drama to Michigan’s latest weed law controversy, the dudes keep it elevated — and keep it real.

They’re also spotlighting The Cannabis Bible by Macho Grams (Support Dope People!), breaking down new federal sentencing reforms, and sharing why cannabis might be one of nature’s most underrated antifungals.

🔥 This Episode Includes:

• Early winter disc golf stories & Midwest vibes ❄️
• Shoutouts to our live chat fam and YouTube supporters
• The Cannabis Bible by Macho Grams → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FZ1NHDFL
• Herban Legends Cup 3 — use code SDP10 for 10% off tickets
• Michigan border towns pushing back on weed shops → Read
• CRA wants dispensaries to “report” customers buying over the limit → Read
• Federal sentencing reform on drug convictions → Read
• Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner: Using cannabis as an antifungal & antibacterial agent
• The moral of the story: “Be about it. Don’t talk about it.”

• BuildASoil: https://buildasoil.com/?ref=supportdopepeople
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• SupportDopePeople.com — grab a tee before they’re gone 👕

Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all your favorite platforms.

🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TwoDopeDudes

💬 Join the Conversation:

We read and shout out our YouTube comments every week! Drop your thoughts on this episode and let us know what you think about Michigan’s latest cannabis chaos.

✌️ Follow us on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/TwoDopeDudes

🎟️ Herban Legends 3 Tickets (Nov 16, Chicago): Use code SDP10 for 10% off

#TwoDopeDudes #ElevatedNews #CannabisCommunity #MidwestCannabis

It’s that time again! The Herban Legends Cup is back for its third year — and we’ve got the founders Danny Gonzalez and Maddie Scanlon in the studio to talk about what’s new for 2025, the judging process, and how they’re building Illinois’ strongest homegrow community.

From legacy roots to lab-tested quality, this is a deep dive into how cannabis competitions are evolving — and why Herban Legends Cup has become the event for growers, judges, and connoisseurs across the Midwest.

Key Links:

Herban Legends Cup - https://www.instagram.com/herbanlegendcup

HiFo Media - https://www.instagram.com/hifomedia

Tickets & Info - https://www.highfocusmedia.com/hlc

🎟️ Use code SDP10 for 10% off tickets!

🌿 Entry deadline: November 13, 2025

📍 Event: November 16, 2025 – Kaiser Tiger, Chicago

Support The Elevated News Podcast:

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Like, comment, and share this episode — every click helps independent media keep growing.

Welcome back to The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes 🌿 Your Midwest source for cannabis news, culture, and conversation. In Ep. 116, Aaron and Dave break down the latest wave of legislation shaking up the cannabis world ... from Illinois tax hikes and background check changes to Senator Rand Paul’s fight to stop a federal hemp ban.

We also talk about Michigan’s booming scene, crazy dispensary density, the upcoming Herban Legends 3 Cup, and Dave’s heartfelt Conditional Cannabis Corner on how the plant helps with mental and physical wellness.

If you care about cannabis policy, real talk, and community, this one’s for you 🔥

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Hit Subscribe and turn on notifications to catch new episodes every week.

Drop a comment with your thoughts on these new laws — we read and reply to every one.

If you dig what we do, share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it.

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Intro and outro Music By Dave Cope and Suno

Welcome back to The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes, your weekly dose of Midwest cannabis news, culture, and conversation.

This week, we sit down with Mason Lopez, founder of Sundrenched Farm, to talk about how his family-run hemp company hit six figures using regenerative farming and solventless extraction. Mason shares his journey from health struggles to building a sustainable, closed-loop farm — plus how he’s bringing solventless drinks, tinctures, and CBD products to the mainstream.

If you care about clean cannabis, regenerative agriculture, and real medicine over marketing, this one’s for you.

🔥 Watch till the end for insights on pheno hunting, competitions, solventless extraction, and how Sundrenched Farm keeps it all organic and affordable.

👇 Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:58 Introducing our guest

02:15 Mason Lopez – www.sundrenchedfarm.com

05:37 Plugs & affiliate codes

07:22 A personal journey of health

08:03 Responding to your YouTube comments: https://youtu.be/S0WWRtdeslY

14:56 Basement pheno hunting & competitions

23:55 What to look for when hunting a plant

29:33 How Sundrenched Farm broke six figures this year

36:32 Hopping into the drink space

44:45 Quality for the consumer

58:10 www.sundrenchedfarm.com

59:38 Outro

🎧 Listen on audio platforms:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Uu7JX...

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/...

📺 Watch more episodes on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@TwoDopeDudes

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🌿 Support our guest:

Shop Sundrenched Farm: https://www.sundrenchedfarm.com

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sun_drenched_farm

🧠 Affiliate Links & Resources:

• Support Dope People: https://supportdopepeople.com

• Thursday Night Live: Peace Love & Cope – Thursdays at 8PM CT

• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoDopeDudes

Intro Music By Dave Cope and Suno

Outro music by Harris Heller/Streambeats.com

#CannabisPodcast #MidwestCannabis #SolventlessExtraction #SundrenchedFarm #TwoDopeDudes #TheElevatedNews #RegenerativeFarming #CBD #HashRosin #HempFarming #CleanMedicine

Cannabis sales are sliding across the Midwest and we're breaking down ALL the numbers! Illinois hits 2nd worst month of 2025, Missouri struggles, but one state is absolutely DOMINATING. Plus: Ohio just passed a GAME-CHANGING marijuana DUI law that could protect innocent drivers, and we found the coolest hemp maze with disc golf in Minnesota!

We are YOUR source for Midwest cannabis news and culture and more!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Illinois cannabis market decline and what it means for consumers
• Ohio's explosive first year of rec sales (nearly $800 MILLION!)
• Missouri's struggling September numbers
• Michigan continues to DESTROY the competition
• Dave ranks every Midwest cannabis state (A through F grades)
• Ohio Senate passes marijuana DUI bill protecting sober drivers
• Hemp maze and disc golf course in Minnesota you NEED to visit
• Dave's Conditional Cannabis Corner: CBD for anxiety in seniors

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro 0:58 - Dave meets a listener (Mr Roarke 420!) 3:54 - Preview of today's stories 4:26 - Affiliate links and how to support the show 5:40 - Responding to YOUR YouTube comments 16:23 - Illinois cannabis sales slide to 2nd worst month 27:42 - Ohio cannabis by the numbers 33:09 - Missouri posts 2nd worst month of 2025 42:50 - Michigan September monthly report 47:50 - Who won the Midwest cannabis war? (State rankings!) 48:38 - Ohio Senate passes marijuana DUI protection bill 53:16 - Minnesota hemp maze and disc golf adventure 56:09 - Dave's Conditional Cannabis Corner: CBD for anxiety 1:10:28 - Final thoughts 1:12:37 - Outro

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CONNECT WITH US: Website: www.supportdopepeople.com

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Dave goes live every Thursday at 8pm Central on his YouTube channel Peace Love and Cope where you can ask him anything about cannabis!

Leave us a review and let us know what cannabis topics you want us to cover next!

#CannabisNews #MarijuanaLegalization #MidwestCannabis #IllinoisDispensary #OhioCannabis #MichiganMarijuana #CannabisIndustry #CBDForAnxiety #WeedNews #CannabisCommunity

We are YOUR source for Midwest cannabis news and culture and more!

In this episode, the Two Dope Dudes break down a 20lb cannabis bust in Illinois, Ohio’s sudden 90-day ban on hemp THC drinks and Delta-8 products, and the wild news that Target is now quietly selling THC beverages in select Minnesota stores. We also look at the crash in medical cannabis patient satisfaction after legalization and what that means for the future of access. PLUS Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner dives into using CBD, CBGA and cannabinoids to support your immune system during cold and flu season.

Topics Covered:

– Illinois DeKalb cannabis bust: possession limits still sending people to jail

– Ohio Governor moves to ban all hemp THC beverages and edibles outside dispensaries

– 4,000+ retailers and 20,000 jobs at risk from Ohio’s new enforcement policy

– Target begins selling THC seltzers in Minnesota – mainstream shift begins

– Medical marijuana patients abandoning programs due to pricing and access issues

– Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner: cannabinoids for immune support during flu season

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Follow and Connect:

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Share the show, leave a rating, and drop your thoughts on the Ohio hemp ban and whether you’d buy THC drinks at Target. New episodes drop every Wednesday with a premiere hangout on YouTube at 12:15PM CST. Stay elevated and support dope people!