The Cole Memo

The Cole Memo

The Cole Memo is your go-to source for informed, open discussion on civil liberties. Each episode tackles pressing issues, such as the decriminalization of drugs, the latest developments in the cannabis industry, and so much more. Hear from a diverse range of guests, including but not limited to: industry insiders, advocates, entertainers, and musicians, as they bring their unique perspectives to the conversation. Tune in to stay informed and engaged on the issues that matter most. Go to TheColeMemo.com to learn more!

Episodes

#247 – What could rescheduling mean for cannabis policy?

December 27, 2025 • 54 mins
I’ll be joined by a surprise guest to recap the latest developments in cannabis policy and what they could mean for both businesses and consumers. Read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/12/22/e246/
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#246 - Cannabis Is Legal in Illinois, So Why Are People Still Being Arrested

December 22, 2025 • 40 mins
Despite cannabis being legal in Illinois, people are still being arrested, charged, and even serving long prison sentences for marijuana related offenses. In this episode, I unpack recent reporting that highlights just how much criminalization remains baked into Illinois law and why legalization did not bring the relief many expected. We dig into possession limits, enforcement disparities, and how criminal penalties continue to fal...
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#245 - Live From the Oval Office: Trump Directs AG to Expedite Cannabis Rescheduling Process

December 19, 2025 • 39 mins
President Trump announces an executive order directing the Attorney General to expedite the process of moving marijuana to Schedule III, emphasizing medical research access while rejecting legalization or recreational use. Watch video version or read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/12/19/e245/
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#244 - Talking Cannabis Rescheduling With Its Harshest Critics

December 17, 2025 • 44 mins
On December 17, as fresh reports suggested cannabis could be rescheduled any day, I sat down with Jordan Davidson, government affairs director at Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), to hear the case against moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. We revisit how the rescheduling process started, review President Trump’s recent comments, and dig into SAM’s core concerns, including 280E tax implications, messaging to young p...
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#243 – Social Equity, Transporters, Rescheduling, and the Future of Hemp With Ali Jubelirer

December 17, 2025 • 61 mins
Attorney Ali Jubelirer returns to the show to break down two cannabis legal battles unfolding in Illinois and beyond. We revisit the independent transporter lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Agriculture, discuss new developments in discovery, and unpack what the state’s legal positions could mean for social equity licensees. We also dive into the 1500 foot dispensary spacing rule, the growing conflict between licensed dis...
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#242 – Trump makes a statement on rescheduling

December 16, 2025 • 62 mins
In Episode 242, Cole breaks down President Trump’s latest comments on cannabis reclassification, comparing them to his earlier remarks from August and zooming in on what changed, especially the new emphasis on research. With reports swirling about possible timing, Cole reacts to the broader rumor mill, pulls in chatter from The Dales Report, and highlights how different corners of the industry are reading the tea leaves. Then the s...
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#241 - Cannabis Rescheduling Nears as ‘Scromiting’ Dominates Headlines

December 13, 2025 • 38 mins
In this live episode, Cole breaks down the latest reporting and speculation that federal cannabis rescheduling could move fast, possibly as soon as Monday, December 15, 2025. He explains why he is only slightly encouraged by a potential shift to Schedule 3, revisits how the review process started in October 2022, and highlights why Smart Approaches to Marijuana sounding the alarm is something he takes seriously given their connecti...
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#240 - Patients Fight for Access, Closure of IL Cultivation Centers, Fresh Look, & More

December 11, 2025 • 104 mins
During this episode, I plan to discuss the latest in cannabis policy news. I also plan to roll out a fresh new look for the show. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/12/11/e240/
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#239 - A Look Inside the Veto Session and How Cannabis Policy Gets Made in Illinois

November 21, 2025 • 64 mins
In this episode, Cole is joined by Doug Kelly and Peter Contos of the Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition to unpack several major developments in Illinois and across the country. Illinois recently wrapped its fall veto session, and while cannabis policy did not move, lawmakers advanced key criminal justice measures. Doug and Peter break down what passed, why it matters, and how these changes affect everyday residents and cannabis co...
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#238 - Live Q&A: Cole Breaks Down the Looming Federal Cannabis Ban

November 20, 2025 • 126 mins
During this stream, I’ll be interviewed by a group of fellow content creators about what the upcoming federal cannabis ban could look like. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/11/20/e238/
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#237 – Politicians react to new federal ban on cannabis products

November 15, 2025 • 107 mins
Several politicians reacted to the newest federal ban on cannabis products. We’ll watch their reactions and take callers in this live broadcast of The Cole Memo. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/11/14/e237/
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#236 - Senate passes a federal ban on cannabis. What does it mean?

November 12, 2025 • 96 mins
The U.S. Senate just voted to recriminalize hemp-derived cannabis products that have been federally legal for the past eight years. In this live episode, Cole breaks down what the vote means for consumers, small farmers, and the broader cannabis movement. Guest Mason Lopez of SunDrenchedFarm joins to share how the proposed ban could devastate small hemp businesses, erase patient access to effective CBD products, and undo years of p...
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#235 – Auditing the label on dispensary products

November 7, 2025 • 67 mins
I will be joined by an individual who audits the test results of cannabis products to see if they are accurate. Read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/10/31/e235/
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#234 - Representative La Shawn Ford - Removed from Spotify!

November 7, 2025 • 1 min
Read more: https://thecolememo.com/2025/10/27/e234/
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#234 – IL Rep. Ford on Why IL Cannabis Policy Is Stalled and How to Move It

October 31, 2025 • 67 mins
Illinois Representative La Shawn Ford returns to The Cole Memo for a candid conversation about where cannabis policy has been, where it stalled, and what it will take to move forward. We unpack the closed-door debate over hemp and delta-8, whether the answer is prohibition or regulation, and why age-gating, testing, and labeling should be the baseline. Ford weighs limited licensing against open market participation, talks wins and ...
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#233 - Homegrow, Hemp Ban, and the Headlines: Target, Circle K, and Illinois’ Veto Session

October 25, 2025 • 130 mins
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston breaks down what’s happening during Illinois’ fall veto session — and why major cannabis reforms still aren’t moving forward. From mislabeled dispensary products and potency inflation to Target and Circle K now selling THC beverages, Cole covers the latest stories shaping cannabis policy in Illinois and beyond. Later, he’s joined by Cornbread Hemp co-founder Jim Higdon to discuss a pro...
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#232 – Illinois Cannabis Lawsuit, Michigan Cannabis Tax Increase, & Federal Moves?

October 3, 2025 • 130 mins
A new cannabis lawsuit with sharp allegations in Illinois, taxes might increase in Michigan’s cannabis market, and possible federal action on cannabis policy—we’ll cover it all in this live stream. View show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/10/03/e232/
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#231 - Illinois Medical Cannabis Updates, Patient Concerns, and the Hemp Debate

September 20, 2025 • 152 mins
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole shares important updates that affect medical cannabis patients in Illinois, including new allotment equivalencies, upcoming changes to dispensary access, and the launch of a patient portal. He also recaps key takeaways from the latest Medical Cannabis Advisory Board meeting, where patients and advocates voiced frustrations with the lack of progress over the last decade. The episode then shifts...
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#230 - Illinois vs Texas: Safety for Children, Freedom for Adults

September 13, 2025 • 21 mins
In this impromptu live episode of The Cole Memo, Cole covers a recent raid in Illinois that sparked a bigger conversation about hemp regulation across the country. With Governor Pritzker voicing concerns about youth safety and Governor Abbott issuing an executive order in Texas to ban hemp sales to minors, the debate is heating up. Should hemp remain freely accessible, or should states impose age gates, testing, and labeling requir...
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#229 - FDA’s MDMA Letter Goes Public, MAPS Responds in Press Conference

September 5, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode, we mainly watch the live MAPS press conference that I was invited to, where leadership addressed the FDA’s newly released complete response letter rejecting MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD. You’ll hear their perspective on shifting standards, trial design disputes, and what this decision means for the future of psychedelic medicine. To set the stage, I begin with a clip from Hamilton Morris on drug journalism and th...
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