Shows / 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…
Episodes
The Cole Memo#152 - Breaking Down Illinois’ Hemp Crackdown
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston dives into Governor Pritzker's press conference addressing a controversial bill aimed at regulating hemp-derived…
The Cole Memo#151 - Smells Like Trouble: Illinois Supreme Court's Ruling on Cannabis Odor Searches
In this episode of The Cole Memo, I sit down with legal professionals Evan Bruno and Bob Galhotra to dissect the Illinois Supreme Court’s rulings on Redmond…
The Cole Memo#150 - Illinois Gun Ban Update
In this episode, Cole Preston sits down with Chicago Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner for an in-depth discussion on Illinois' firearm ban, its legal challenges…
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#149 - Illinois Supreme Court Rules on Cannabis Odor (Clip from High at 9)
This is a clip from a recent episode of High At Nine, where the hosts discuss a story I originally reported on The Cole Memo. The segment covers breaking news…
The Cole Memo#148 - Unequal Road Ahead: Examining Disparities in Cannabis Transport Rules
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole sits down with attorney Ali Jubelirer to discuss her groundbreaking lawsuit against the Illinois Department of…
The Cole Memo#147 - Illinois Cannabis Lawsuit: Live with the Lawyer Behind the Case
Join me LIVE on Monday, December 2nd, at 4:20 p.m. Central for an all-new episode of The Cole Memo! I’ll be speaking with the lawyer at the center of the…
The Cole Memo#146 - From Paperwork to Progress: A Follow-Up on Illinois Medical Cannabis Evolution
Join me for a reflective dive into the evolution of Illinois' medical cannabis program. From navigating outdated paper processes and restrictive dispensary…
The Cole Memo#145 - Lone Star Liberation: Texas Cannabis Battles and Triumphs
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole is joined by Austin, the executive director of the Texas Cannabis Collective, to dive into the dynamic and evolving…
The Cole Memo#144 - Legal Psychedelics in Oregon: Dr. Eric Lee's Approach to Healing
Cole chats with Dr. Eric Lee, founder of Space, a psychedelic clinic in Portland. Dr. Lee shares his journey from telemedicine to making guided psychedelic…
The Cole Memo#143 - From "Loophole" to Lifeline: How Hemp Could Shape the Future of Cannabis featuring Rod Kight
In this episode, Cole sits down with Rod Kight, an attorney and hemp advocate, to explore the ongoing battle over hemp regulations and what it means for…
The Cole Memo#142 - Ash & Ivy - A Family-Backed Dispensary Blooms In Illinois
In this episode of The Cole Memo, I interview Holly Roeder, owner of Ash & Ivy, a new self-funded, family-backed dispensary in Southern Illinois. Holly shares…
The Cole Memo#141 - Addressing Illinois Hemp Panic + New Hemp Legislation Explained
In this episode, we’re sparking a conversation with Chris and Rachel from the Illinois Hemp Growers Association. Join us as we discuss the potential impact of…
The Cole Memo#140 - Eapen Thampy On Missouri Cannabis Reform, Government Corruption, And The Rise Of Hemp
In this episode, I speak with Eapen Thampy, a longtime cannabis lobbyist in Missouri, about the restrictive licensing models that limit access and fuel…
The Cole Memo#139 - Luke Niforatos - Smart Approaches to Marijuana
In this episode of The Cole Memo, host Cole Preston connects with Luke Niforatos, Executive Vice President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM). SAM…
The Cole Memo#138 – Tyrone Muhammad – Prohibition THCafe
In this episode, I sit down with Tyrone Muhammad at a dispensary that he co-founded, Prohibition THCafe. At this location, they sell Support Your Local Weedman…
The Cole Memo#137 - From Cannabis Reform to Psychedelic Progress: A Chat with Dan Linn
In this special Halloween episode of The Cole Memo, Cole and Phil spark up a conversation with longtime cannabis and psychedelic policy advocate Dan Linn…
The Cole Memo#135 - David Lakeman’s Departure from Illinois
In this episode of The Cole Memo, I watch David Lakeman's live-streamed interview for the role of Executive Director at the Massachusetts Cannabis Control…
The Cole Memo#136 - Cameron Clarke, CEO of Sunderstorm
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cameron Clarke, CEO and Co-Founder of Sunderstorm, explores two contrasting cannabis markets: Thailand’s swift descheduling…
The Cole Memo#134 – Jordan Davidson returns
In this episode of The Cole Memo, I reconnect with Jordan Davidson, the Government Affairs Manager for Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM). SAM advocates for a…
The Cole Memo#133 - The Future of Cannabis and Hemp
In this episode, I’m joined by two guests to explore the future of cannabis and hemp: Chris Fontes, CEO of Trojan Horse Cannabis and High Spirits Beverages…
The Cole Memo#132 - Dana Larsen is back
In this episode of The Cole Memo, I reconnect with Dana Larsen, an influential Canadian author, businessman, and advocate for drug policy reform. Dana has been…
The Cole Memo#131 - A Candid Discussion w/ Jim Belushi
In this episode of The Cole Memo, I share my interaction with Jim Belushi at the 2024 Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, held in Chicago, Illinois. Read…
The Cole Memo#130 – Illinois Supreme Court on Cannabis Odor in Cars: What It Means
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston breaks down the Illinois Supreme Court’s landmark decision that the smell of burnt cannabis is no longer enough…
The Cole Memo#129 - Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban: Legal Battles and Policy Impacts
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston welcomes back Chicago Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner for an in-depth conversation on Illinois' controversial…
The Cole Memo#128 - Florida’s Amendment 3: Cannabis, Hemp, and the Battle for Reform
In this episode, Cole Preston is joined by Hirsch Jain to discuss the implications of Florida's upcoming Amendment 3 vote, the complicated politics surrounding…
The Cole Memo#127 - VFW Raided Over Hemp Drinks: Cannabis Politics in Missouri
In this episode, Cole Preston sits down with veteran John Grady to discuss a raid by Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) on a VFW post…
The Cole Memo#126 - News in Under 10 Minutes
In this episode, I provide a high-level overview and commentary on cannabis-related stories that caught my attention. Topics include the launch of the Cannabis…
The Cole Memo#125 - Inside the Loopholes: Hemp, THC, and Cannabis in 2024 with Zack Huffman
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston sits down with Zack Huffman, a journalist with roots in cannabis reporting, to discuss the rapidly evolving…
The Cole Memo#124 - Eli Lilly’s Secret Role in Cannabis Prohibition: A Deep Dive with Kelly Rippel
In this insightful episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston is joined by Kelly Rippel, an advocate with deep ties to Kansas cannabis reform and industrial hemp…
The Cole Memo#123 – California’s Cannabis Crackdown with Cantrip CEO Adam Terry
In this episode, Cole Preston sits down with Adam, co-founder and CEO of Cantrip, to discuss the latest developments in California's evolving hemp beverage…
The Cole Memo#122 - Unpacking Illinois Cannabis Regulations, Industry Hurdles, and Hemp
In this episode, I sit down with Scott Redman and Reese Xavier. The conversation covers key topics such as the hurdles in operationalizing craft grow licenses…
The Cole Memo#121 - Trump vs Harris: Debating Cannabis Policies and Political Stances
In this live episode, Cole Preston hosts a spirited debate between Jason Beck and Michael Malcolm. The discussion dives into the evolving cannabis policies of…
The Cole Memo#120 - Jason Beck - HighAt9News.com
In this episode, I am joined by Jason Beck, the longest continuous cannabis retail operator in the United States. Jason shares his journey, starting from his…
The Cole Memo#119 - Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM) - Caleb Howard
In this episode, I sit down with Caleb Howard, CEO and founder of Flower Girl and the Illinois State Director for Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM). We…
The Cole Memo#118 - Smoke, Mirrors, and Illinois' Cannabis Legacy: A Deep Dive with Phillip
In this episode of The Cole Memo, host Cole Preston sits down with fellow advocate and friend, Phillip. They spark up a candid conversation about Illinois…
The Cole MemoLegal But Not Free: Watch the Mini Doc on Illinois Cannabis Now!
You can stream the mini doc now or reserve your spot at ColeMemo.com/MiniDoc
The Cole Memo#117 - Pushing Boundaries in Illinois Cannabis Culture
In this episode, Cole sits down with Phillip, a fellow advocate, and the organizer of the Melt Market, a unique cannabis farmers market in Illinois. Together…
The Cole Memo#116 - Hemp in the Heartland: Legislative Insight with IL Rep. Dan Swanson
In this episode, I interview Illinois State Representative Dan Swanson at the 2024 Hemp Research Open House, co-hosted by the Illinois Hemp Growers Association…
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#115 - From OnlyFans to Free Ross: Hemp, Freedom, and More with Martha Bueno
In this episode, I sit down with Martha Bueno, an entrepreneur, former political candidate, and passionate advocate for freedom. Martha shares her unique…
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#114 - Florida Amendment 3 and Hemp with Martha Bueno and Dank Informer
In this live episode, I am joined by Martha Bueno and The Dank informer to discuss Florida's Amendment 3. During the episode, we also discuss hemp. Watch video…
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#113 - Inside The Melt Market: Illinois' Cannabis Farmers Market
In this special episode, Cole sits down with the organizer of the Melt Market, a unique cannabis farmers market that brings together vendors, growers, and…
The Cole Memo#112- The Science of Cannabis: Cultivation, Testing, and Quality Control
In this episode, I am joined by Kyle Baker, founder of Clean Theory, to explore the complexities of cannabis cultivation and testing. We discuss third-party…
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#111 - Amanita Muscaria Madness - Regina Moore
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Regina Moore, a semi-retired pharmacist and mushroom foraging enthusiast. During the episode, we explore the world of Amanita…
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#110 - Bill Panagiotakopoulos - SafeSupply.com
In this episode, I am joined by Bill Panagiotakopoulos. Bill is the founder and CEO of Safe Supply, a Canadian company that invests in the future of the legal…
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#109 - Abby Lutz - Death Doula
In this episode, I speak to Abby Lutz - a Death Doula. We discuss human composting, how green burials are revolutionizing the funeral industry, and of course…
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#108 - Botched Legalization in Illinois, National Psychedelic Trends, and Wisconsin's Arrest Spike
In this episode, I discuss a recent study by a Black advocacy group that described legalization in Illinois as 'botched.' During the episode, I play statements…
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#107 – Emma Savage
In this episode, I have a conversation with Emma Savage about her journey in the sex industry. Emma recounts her progression from starting as a young stripper…
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#106 - Cesar Marin
In this episode of The Cole Memo, I sit down with Caesar, a former CNN producer turned advocate for plant medicine and microdosing. Caesar shares his journey…
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#105 - Panic at the local board meeting!
In this episode, I am joined by my friend Phil. During the episode, we chat about a recent board meeting that we attended & I provide clarity on some questions…
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#104 - What's the status of cannabis legalization in Texas?
In this episode, I speak with Austin Zamhariri about the status of cannabis legalization/decriminalization in Texas. Watch video version and read full show…
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#103 – The Dank Informer
In this episode, I sit down with TheDankInformer, a person I met on X (formerly Twitter). We discuss the topic of hemp regulation. I was under the impression…
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#102 – Heather and Boyd – VineyardAccounting.net
In this episode, I visit Molly’s Joint, a consumption lounge in Illinois, to sit down with Heather and Boyd LaFoon from VineyardAccounting.net. During the…
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#101 - Legislative Recap with CannabisEquityIL.org
In this episode, Douglas Kelly and Peter Contos from Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition join me to recap the most recent legislative session. Watch video…
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#100 - Cole makes a cameo on CLN
In this episode, I play one of the latest episodes of Cannabis Legalization News which features me, Cole Preston. During the episode, we recap various topics…
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#99 - Governor Pritzker responds to Cannabis & Hemp legislation
In this quick episode, I play Governor Pritzker's full remarks regarding the cannabis and hemp legislation that was filed during this legislative session…
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#98 - Quick Illinois Legislative Recap
Get the latest on cannabis and hemp legislation in Illinois, in this quick ~15 minute episode. Watch the video version of this episode and read full show notes…
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#97 - Illinois' Cannabis Per-Se Limit: An Impossible Standard as Interpreted?
In 2016, Illinois decriminalized small amounts of cannabis. Under the 2016 law, those caught with up to 10 grams of marijuana faced fines of $100 to $200. The…
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#96 - IllinoisHGA respond to calls for ban on hemp
In this episode, Rachel and Chris Berry from the Illinois Hemp Growers Association respond to the latest call to ban an open, competitive, and federally legal…