#224 - From Austin to Springfield: Cannabis Policy Battles Across States

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole returns with a live broadcast covering breaking cannabis news from Illinois, Texas, and beyond. A surprise guest from Texas Cannabis Collective joins to unpack the whirlwind special session in Austin, where a proposed hemp THC ban collided with flood relief, redistricting fights, and a dramatic quorum break. Cole also dives into Illinois developments, including the closure of Air Wellness dispensaries, new rounds of social equity loans, and the legal loopholes allowing large operators to skirt dispensary caps. On the federal level, Cole covers the FDA’s move to schedule 7-hydroxy (7-OH) products under the Controlled Substances Act, ongoing Senate battles over hemp language in the farm bill, and Senator Rand Paul’s push for a more balanced regulatory approach. As always, the episode blends local insight, national context, and audience interaction to bring you the most engaging cannabis news coverage. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/08/10/e224/