#198 - Seeds of Change: Jason Brown on Education, Equity, and Five Years of Legal Weed in Illinois

In this episode of The Cole Memo, host Cole Preston welcomes Jason Brown, founder of Illinois News Joint, for a wide-ranging conversation covering five years of legal cannabis in Illinois, the rise of hemp, the evolution of product reviews, and his latest effort to give back: launching two scholarships for cannabis students at SIU and Oakton College. They also unpack the normalization of weed use, the state’s troubled seed policies, and why transparency and education are key to moving the industry forward. From personal stories to statewide reform, this episode blends lived experience with sharp analysis—and even a few grow tips. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/05/09/e198/