In this episode of The Cole Memo, we unpack two big stories shaking up the Illinois cannabis scene. First, we dive into the controversy surrounding a new dispensary planned for West Ridge, partially owned by ten former police officers. While some see it as a redemption arc, others question the ethics of former drug enforcers now profiting from the legal market. Then, Cole walks listeners through his original reporting on outdoor cannabis cultivation in Illinois. From satellite imagery to court filings, he outlines how certain cultivators were quietly permitted to grow outside under previous leadership—until new leadership tried to shut it down, triggering lawsuits from industry giants like Curaleaf. With stringent testing requirements in place, is it finally time Illinois allows more flexibility in how and where cannabis is grown? Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/28/e222/
