#255 – Arrests Keep Coming in “Legal” Illinois

Illinois has legalization on the books, but arrests and incarceration for non-violent cannabis offenses have not disappeared. In this live broadcast, Cole is joined by returning guest Christian Reichert, who served years in prison for a non-violent cannabis case and is still navigating parole after release. They talk about what it feels like to watch dispensaries operate while people are still paying the price for charges from the pre-legalization era, and why the criminal law is still being used as the tool of choice. Cole is also joined by Phil for the conversation, with live audience comments in the mix, and a wider discussion about how policy, taxes, and enforcement shape the reality on the ground in Illinois. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/01/28/e255/