Advertise on podcast: The Cole Memo

In this episode of The Cole Memo, we tour Josh's custom-built outdoor hydroponic system, featuring four massive cannabis plants grown using recirculating deep water culture (RDWC). Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/10/23/e330/

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole discusses the latest Illinois cannabis developments, including the expansion of medical cannabis sales at adult-use dispensaries, upcoming hemp regulations, and a proposal to issue 45 new cannabis infuser licenses. He also reviews recent cannabis compliance data and revisits the ongoing debate over home grow and industry opposition to broader legalization. Later, Cole shares highlights from a conversation on Cultivated Live featuring Marijuana Policy Project Executive Director Adam Smith. The discussion explores the organization's position on hemp-derived THC, the importance of independent cannabis advocacy, declining cannabis arrest numbers in states with hemp access, and what the future of federal cannabis legalization could look like. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/10/22/e329/

In this impromptu episode of The Cole Memo, Cole is joined by Brad Spirrison of Grown In to discuss the changing landscape of cannabis policy in Illinois and beyond. They explore the upcoming November 12 hemp restrictions, divisions between licensed cannabis operators and the hemp industry, and the role of consumers in shaping cannabis policy. The conversation also covers home grow, questions surrounding cannabis seed sales at Illinois dispensaries, recent political developments, and Grown In's upcoming Pot, Policy & Politics event in St. Louis. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/10/16/e328/

Illinois State Representative and Democratic congressional nominee La Shawn Ford returns to The Cole Memo to discuss the future of cannabis policy in Illinois. Following the passage of major cannabis reforms earlier this year, Ford shares his thoughts on the legislation, his disappointment with the state's approach to hemp, and what additional reforms lawmakers may consider. The conversation also explores Ford's proposal to use cannabis tax revenue to support struggling families, industry opposition to expanding home grow rights to all adults, and concerns about consolidation in Illinois' cannabis market. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/10/16/e327/

Illinois cannabis sales are showing signs of renewed growth, but questions remain about pricing, competition, and the impact of upcoming hemp restrictions. In this episode, Cole examines newly released Illinois cannabis data, revisits the state's cannabis arrest statistics, and discusses the latest developments in federal cannabis rescheduling as opponents seek additional testimony and documents. Later, Cole hosts a live watch party for the Illinois gubernatorial forum featuring Governor JB Pritzker and Republican challenger Darren Bailey. The conversation also touches on cannabis testing, product remediation, and consumer transparency. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/10/13/e326/

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole takes viewers on a tour of an impressive outdoor cannabis home grow in Illinois. Josh Anderson, a medical cannabis patient whose home was previously raided by police, walks us through his custom-built outdoor hydroponic system and explains how he grows massive cannabis plants in the Illinois climate. Later, Brad Spirrison joins the show to discuss upcoming changes to Illinois cannabis and hemp laws, the Grown In Harvest Exchange, and findings from the state's newly released 2026 annual cannabis reports. Topics include cannabis arrest trends, new context surrounding Illinois' post-legalization arrest numbers, and an anticipated online portal for medical cannabis patients. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/10/06/e325/

Illinois is preparing for major changes to its cannabis laws, especially as they relate to hemp. In this episode, Cole moderates a roundtable with Illinois hemp advocates, small business owners, and Aaron Del Mar, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, about what cannabis policy should look like going forward. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/10/05/e324/

Cannabis tax dollars are being used to fund automated license plate readers in Champaign County, Illinois. In this episode, Cole looks at public comments raising concerns about Flock cameras, surveillance, transparency, and the use of cannabis tax revenue, before turning to a debate among county board members over whether those dollars should continue funding the cameras. The discussion highlights competing views over whether license plate readers are an appropriate use of cannabis tax revenue and what role the county board has in determining how those funds are spent. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/10/01/e323/

In this episode, Cole looks at how cannabis tax revenue is being used to fund Flock license plate readers in Champaign County and raises broader questions about where Illinois cannabis tax dollars actually go. The conversation also turns to the latest federal cannabis rescheduling developments after a DEA judge paused proceedings amid new questions about the process behind the proposed move to Schedule III. Later, Cole dives into the debate over THC potency limits, including whether higher-dose cannabis beverages should be available outside dispensaries, what role age restrictions should play, and how cannabis regulations compare with the way alcohol is sold. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/09/30/e322/

Cole is joined by Grown In's Brad Spirrison for a wide-ranging conversation about THC beverages, hemp and the future of cannabis in Illinois. They discuss what could happen when Illinois' new hemp rules take effect, why low-dose THC drinks have reached consumers who might never visit a dispensary, and how the cannabis industry could respond to an uncertain state and federal landscape. The conversation also explores how legalization has changed cannabis culture, the differences between markets like Illinois and Michigan, and what the next chapter of cannabis legalization might look like. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/09/30/e321/

This episode covers a newly introduced Illinois bill that would create direct cash payments for people disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization, with Representative La Shawn Ford expected to return to the show to discuss the proposal. Cole also looks at Illinois' rollout of new medical cannabis licenses for adult-use dispensaries. Later, Cole reacts to clips from The War on Hemp: The Marijuana Monopoly, a documentary he was featured in, discussing hemp prohibition, consumer access, cannabis regulation, and cognitive liberty. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/09/23/e320/

The conversation covers the ongoing federal fight over hemp, including the delay of upcoming federal changes and competing proposals for regulating the industry. Brian Dombrowski joins the show to discuss THCA flower, testing and labeling, track and trace, dosage caps, consumer access and why he believes hemp offers a path toward broader cannabis access. We also revisit Brian's recent appearance on The Dales Report and dig into the growing divide between the hemp and state-licensed marijuana industries, including competition, licensing barriers and the debate over whether cannabis should ultimately be regulated through separate medical and adult-use lanes. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/09/23/e319/

In this episode, Cole takes a look at the growing divide between the state-legal cannabis industry and the hemp industry as competing groups push different approaches to federal cannabis policy. The conversation includes recent lobbying over federal hemp law, interstate commerce, banking and the increasingly complicated question of what cannabis legalization should actually look like. Plus, Cole shares a look at Josh’s outdoor Illinois medical cannabis grow, previews an upcoming follow-up to his home grow raid story and talks about his own latest harvest and plans to try hydroponic growing. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/09/16/e318/

Illinois has expanded its medical cannabis program, issuing medical cannabis dispensary licenses to 37 existing adult-use dispensaries. Cole breaks down what changed, what it means for registered medical patients and dispensaries, and why this represents the largest expansion of Illinois medical cannabis dispensaries in roughly a decade. Cole also discusses another recent development involving cannabis tax revenue being used to fund license plate reader cameras in Champaign County, along with comments and questions from the live audience. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/09/16/e317/

This episode follows Josh, a registered Illinois medical cannabis patient whose home was raided by police after authorities obtained a search warrant connected to his cannabis grow. We piece together what happened during the raid and the case that followed using body-camera footage, evidence, photos, court transcripts, and other records. Josh ultimately fought the charges against him and got them dropped. His story raises broader questions about home grow, law enforcement and the limits of cannabis legalization in Illinois. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/09/07/e313/