Illinois cannabis sales are down to start 2026 and the numbers are raising serious questions about the future of the market. At the same time, Ohio just rolled out new cannabis and hemp restrictions that could push consumers back to the unregulated market.

In this episode of The Elevated News Podcast, we break down what is really happening behind the numbers, what the new Ohio laws mean for consumers and businesses, and why Missouri’s licensing system is facing major legal challenges.

We also have another My Bud Jon review, plus Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner covering cannabis and Parkinson’s disease.

If you care about the future of cannabis, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Watch, comment, and let us know your thoughts.

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Timestamps

00:00 Intro

01:00 Trimmin trees

03:08 Preview of today’s stories

04:57 Plugs and affiliate codes

07:19 YouTube comments

11:23 QC Gardening Seed Swap April 11

12:15 My Bud Jon reviews Grandpa’s Stash

20:38 Illinois cannabis sales drop in 2026

32:05 Ohio cracks down on marijuana and hemp products

46:10 Missouri licensing lawsuit update

53:14 Cannabis and Parkinson’s disease

01:02:26 Wrap up

Topics Covered

Illinois cannabis sales 2026

Cannabis market decline

Ohio marijuana laws 2026

Hemp THC ban

Missouri cannabis licensing lawsuit

Cannabis for Parkinson’s disease

Cannabis industry news

Let us know in the comments

Do you think cannabis sales will keep dropping?

Are stricter laws helping or hurting the industry?

Evanston, Illinois wants to tax Delta-8 hemp products and use the revenue for reparations programs. Meanwhile the cannabis industry is facing massive federal tax pressure as MSOs rack up billions in unpaid 280E tax bills.

In this episode of The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes, Aaron and Dave break down the biggest cannabis stories of the week including a Delta-8 tax proposal in Illinois, the IRS digging in on cannabis tax enforcement, and the ongoing consolidation of the legal cannabis industry.

We also cover new research suggesting cannabis may help treat female orgasmic disorder, Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner on autism and cannabinoids, and My bud Jon’s product review featuring Wonder Love gummies and a Fernway Pineapple Express disposable.

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If you care about cannabis policy, industry news, medical research, and real conversations about the plant, this episode has you covered.

Join the premiere chat and let us know what you think in the comments.

Watch the full episode and subscribe for weekly cannabis news.

Subscribe to the channel

https://www.youtube.com/@TwoDopeDudes

Articles

* https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/grown-rogue-to-operate-former-pharmacann-cannabis-facility/

* https://evanstonroundtable.com/2026/03/15/here-in-evanston-marijuana-vs-hemp/

* https://mjbizdaily.com/news/marijuana-msos-280e-bill-grows-to-1-6-billion-as-irs-fights-tax-gambit/614960/

* https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-may-be-a-gateway-to-womens-orgasm-in-sexual-health-treatment-scientific-analysis-finds/

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:05 Sunburnt on a winter day

04:45 Preview of today’s show

05:49 Affiliate codes and ways to support us

06:57 YouTube comments and community shoutouts

11:16 My Bud John reviews Wonder Love gummies and Fernway Pineapple Express disposable

18:54 Grown Rogue to operate former PharmaCann cannabis facility in Illinois

27:20 Evanston committee recommends taxing Delta-8 hemp sales for reparations funding

38:02 IRS digs in on marijuana rescheduling as MSO 280E tax bill balloons

44:08 Study suggests cannabis may help treat female orgasmic disorder

53:22 Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner Cannabis as a tool for autism

01:03:39 Wrapping up

Articles discussed in this episode will be linked below.

Join Dave live Thursday nights at 8 PM Central on YouTube to ask questions and talk cannabis.

Should cities tax hemp products like Delta-8?

Should cannabis tax revenue fund reparations programs?

Will the IRS crackdown change the cannabis industry?

Share this episode with someone who cares about cannabis policy and culture.

Welcome back to The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes. Dave is back and we are diving into another week of cannabis news, culture, and commentary from the Midwest and beyond.

This episode covers the strange contradictions happening in the cannabis industry right now. Alabama is about to launch medical cannabis after years of delays, while someone in Illinois just received a 16 year prison sentence for a cannabis crime. At the same time lawmakers in multiple states are fighting over cannabis taxes that may be hurting legal markets.

We also bring back My bud Jon’s new strain review segment where he puts MAC 1 from Simply Herb to the test. Did it live up to the hype or fall flat?

If you care about cannabis policy, legalization, culture, or just want honest conversations about the industry, you are in the right place.

Join the conversation in the comments and let us know your thoughts.

Subscribe for weekly cannabis news and insights.

Watch the premiere live every Wednesday at 12:15 PM CST on the Two Dope Dudes YouTube channel.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro song

00:58 Dave is back and catching up

04:04 Podcast plugs and community shoutouts

05:34 Responding to YouTube comments and community discussion

14:25 My Bud Jon Rates and Reviews: MAC 1 by Simply Herb

18:36 Alabama medical cannabis rollout expected soon

21:55 Cannabis tax cuts proposed in Michigan and Alaska

27:26 Illinois student sentenced to 16 years for cannabis trafficking

33:28 Massive weapons and drugs raid in DeKalb Illinois

41:19 Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner: Dealing with the condition of life

57:14 Final thoughts and wrap up

59:35 Outro song

Topics discussed in this episode include cannabis legalization, medical marijuana rollout, cannabis taxation, black market enforcement, Midwest cannabis news, and product reviews.

Let us know in the comments what stories we should cover next week.

Subscribe for more cannabis news, culture, and commentary from The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes.

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.

#CannabisNews #WeedNews #CannabisLegalization #MedicalMarijuana #CannabisPodcast #TwoDopeDudes

Illinois marijuana reform is back on the table. Four new bills have moved to the Senate Cannabis Subcommittee, including two omnibus cannabis bills and two conflicting hemp regulation bills. Is this real progress or another round of stalled reform?

We break down Senate Bill 4015, Senate Bill 4048, and the competing hemp bills including SB 3377, SB 3820, and SB 3919. What does this mean for hemp drinks, intoxicating hemp products, enforcement, and potential fines?

Plus:

• Michigan marijuana sales drop 16 percent after a major tax hike

• Are cannabis taxes finally catching up to consumers?

• The Supreme Court takes up a major case on whether cannabis users can own firearms

• The ACLU and NRA on the same side? Yes, really.

We also feature My Bud Jon’s cannabis review of Superboof by Redemption Botanicals and Superboof rosin by Mountain High Melts. If you are shopping in Illinois, this segment helps you make informed decisions before you buy.

Read more from Illinois News Joint:

https://www.illinoisnewsjoint.com

Support the show by liking, subscribing, and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Share this episode with someone who cares about cannabis policy, gun rights, or hemp regulation.

Watch the full video version on YouTube and join the live chat every week.

Follow Cole at https://thecolememo.com

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The Elevated News Podcast with Two Dope Dudes is your source for Midwest cannabis news, culture, policy, and honest product reviews. Subscribe and stay elevated.

00:00:00 - Spicy Intro song you love!

00:00:58 - Cole is back again!

00:03:30 - Cantrip drinks for Cole, a discount code and discussion about hemp drinks.

00:05:51 - Incentivizing innovation.

00:07:02 - Responding to your youtube comments from ep 130

00:12:24 - DailyHomegrown talks www.theseedlocker.com

00:23:01 - How to support us

00:26:25 - My Bud Jon reviews SuperBoof by Redemption Botanicals and Superboof Rosin by Mountain High Melts

00:33:02 - Is Sen Kimberly Lightford the new Cannabis bill leader in Illinois?

00:39:50 - Conflicting hemp bills reach Cannabis Committee

00:46:15 - Tax hike crashed Michigan marijuana sales

00:52:53 - A Supreme Court case over whether marijuana users can own guns is creating unusual alliances

00:57:38 - Jordan Davidson from SAM reacts to supreme court case

01:08:33 - If you get lost, come find us!

01:10:14 - Outro

The cannabis industry just got more interesting.

Illinois retailers sold a RECORD number of cannabis products in 2025, yet revenue dropped by nearly $200 million. What is really happening behind the numbers? Is this true price compression, market correction, or proof the system was built wrong from the start?

Guest cohost Cole Preston of The Cole Memo joins Aaron to break it all down.

We also cover Minnesota’s slow recreational rollout, massive testing backlogs, a multi-million dollar Michigan grow bust, and the FDA missing its federal hemp deadline as the clock ticks toward potential cannabinoid bans.

Check out the new segment from My Bud (tender) Jon rates and reviews!

If you care about cannabis policy, enforcement, market structure, or where prices are headed next, this episode connects the dots.

Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of The Elevated News Podcast.

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Is Illinois correcting itself, or is the model breaking?

Follow Cole Preston at https://www.colememo.com

Support independent cannabis journalism.

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Support dope people.

See you in the comments.

00:00:00 - fun intro song

00:01:00 - Daves not here man, but Cole is!

00:02:46 - Plugs- www.supportdopepeople.com www.colememo.com

00:05:21 - Youtube comments from ep 129

00:13:34 - Call for Beta Testers @ theseedlocker.com

00:16:31 - Witness slip season! colememo.com/odorproof Stop Vehicle Searches based on Cannabis Odor.

00:25:56 - Jim Belushi comments on unlicensed hemp and cannabis operators at Benzinga 2024

00:33:31 - Minnesota market update from Travis Cullen instagram

00:36:21 - Testing backlog is latest bottleneck for Minnesota’s recreational marijuana market - MSN.com

00:38:12 - Over 11,000 Plants Found in Multi-Million Dollar Metro Detroit Marijuana Bust - MetroDetroitNews.com

00:41:36 - Illinois Provides Another Cannabis Update -NewCannabisVentures

00:42:36 - Illinois cannabis retailers sold record amount of product in 2025 – but made less money -MJBizDaily

00:50:17 - FDA Misses Deadline To Publish Cannabinoid List And Define Hemp ‘Containers,’ Drawing Industry Criticism - Marijuana Moment

00:58:26 - My Bud Jon rates and reviews!

01:02:09 - life is short, do the thing.

01:06:02 - doughnuts!

Is cannabis medicine, wellness, recreation… or all three?

In Episode 129 of The Elevated News Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Amanda Reiman, PhD, MSW, cannabis researcher, policy expert, former Drug Policy Alliance leader, and founder of Personal Plants, for one of the most balanced and honest conversations we have ever had about cannabis.

We break down:

• The real risks of cannabis use

• What a THC overdose actually is

• Medical vs wellness vs recreational use

• Minimum effective dose and why most people over consume

• Cannabis and mental health

• Why U.S. research is so limited

• Capitalism, corporatization, and the future of legalization

• How stories change laws

• Why legalization is not perfect but still better than prohibition

Dr. Reiman brings a rare middle ground perspective. Cannabis has powerful benefits, but it also has risks. The key is mindful use.

If you care about cannabis policy, health, harm reduction, or the future of legalization, this is a must watch episode.

Timestamps:

00:00 Tasty Intro

00:58 Introducing Dr. Amanda Reiman

02:42 Dr. Reiman’s backstory and cannabis activism

10:43 Harms and risks in cannabis use

16:43 When cannabis may lead to harm

22:58 Tips for safer cannabis use

30:09 Condition treatment vs symptom relief

35:26 The state of cannabis research

44:20 What she is optimistic about in the next 5 years

55:21 Law enforcement, prohibition, and money

59:21 Critical thinking shoutout

01:01:19 www.MyPersonalPlants.com

01:03:02 Outro

If you have ever wondered:

How much weed is too much?

Can you actually overdose on THC?

Is cannabis treating conditions or just symptoms?

What happens next for legalization?

This episode answers it.

Drop a comment and tell us:

Do you think cannabis is mostly medical, wellness, or recreational?

What does mindful use mean to you?

Subscribe for weekly Midwest cannabis news, culture, and policy breakdowns.

Watch, like, share, and most importantly, think critically.

Follow Dr. Amanda Reiman:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-reiman-phd-msw

https://www.MyPersonalPlants.com

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#Cannabis #Legalization #MedicalCannabis #THC #DrugPolicy #HarmReduction #TwoDopeDudes

Winter blues, cannabis truths, and a BIG shift happening in the industry 👀🌿 This episode is a real one — from mental health and seasonal burnout to major moves in the cannabis market that could change the game for growers and consumers alike.

Aaron and Dave kick things off talking about winter, community, and why getting outside (or even just tending plants under grow lights) can be a serious mental health tool. Then it’s straight into Midwest cannabis news, industry shake-ups, and a deep dive into why THC drinks are suddenly everywhere.

In this episode, we get into:

❄️ Seasonal depression & cannabis — the connection between sunlight, vitamin D, movement, and how growing or being around plants can boost mental wellness

🥏 Community as medicine — disc golf, shared hobbies, and why social connection matters just as much as the plant

🌱 Illinois cannabis updates — new omnibus bills, medical patient access, and what’s not being fixed yet

💰 Falling sales & market pressure — what shrinking numbers could mean for the future of the Illinois cannabis industry

🚨 California’s illicit market crackdown — record seizures and what happens when legal systems squeeze small operators

🏢 Corporate consolidation alert — major gardening and cannabis companies making huge acquisition moves that could impact growers nationwide

🥤 THC drinks takeover — why cannabis beverages are exploding during “Dry January,” how they differ from edibles, and why they might be better for beginners

🧠 Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner — the science behind cannabis drinks vs edibles, bioavailability, onset time, and microdosing

This episode blends cannabis policy, personal health, industry insight, and real-life experience — exactly how the plant fits into everyday life beyond the headlines.

Support the show and save with our partners below.

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Subscribe to The Elevated News Podcast on youtube, join the live chat!

Leave a review, share the episode, and tell us what topic you want us to cover next.

Sources discussed in the show:

https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/illinois-releases-cannabis-sales-totals-for-2025/

https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/illinois-house-introduces-third-cannabis-omnibus-bill/

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/california-reports-record-illicit-cannabis-seizures-as-cultivation-tax-cut/614209/

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/scotts-miracle-gro-to-sell-off-cannabis-subsidiary-to-marijuana-mso-vireo-growth/614203/

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/business/cannabis-thc-alcoholic-beverages.html

Cannabis sales are breaking records across the country, but the real story is what is happening underneath the surface.

In this episode of The Elevated News Podcast, Two Dope Dudes break down fresh cannabis sales data from Arkansas, Minnesota, Michigan, and Montana, revealing what strong numbers, soft months, and billion dollar milestones actually mean for the future of legal cannabis.

We also dive into new research showing that sterilization and remediation do not fully remove toxic fungi from cannabis, raising serious questions about consumer safety and large scale production practices. Plus, we unpack the ATF’s move to loosen federal gun restrictions for cannabis users and what that shift could mean for Second Amendment rights.

The episode wraps with Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner, where we dig into cannabis math, methods of consumption, absorption rates, and why cannabinoid ratios matter far more than chasing THC percentages.

If you care about cannabis policy, market trends, consumer safety, or using cannabis more intentionally, this episode delivers real context without the hype.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Arkansas medical cannabis sales hitting a record $291 million in 2025

• Minnesota adult use cannabis sales since launch and ongoing market bottlenecks

• Michigan cannabis sales trends and why December slowed down

• Montana surpassing $1 billion in adult use cannabis sales

• Why remediation does not fully remove toxic fungi from cannabis

• ATF changes to gun restrictions for cannabis users

• Missouri growers fined for breaking the “immaculate conception” rule

• Cannabis dosing, absorption, and smarter consumption strategies

Sources discussed in this episode:

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/arkansas-medical-cannabis-sales-hit-record-291-million-in-2025/614135/

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/minnesota-adult-use-cannabis-sales-hit-31-million-since-september-launch/614124/

https://www.newcannabisventures.com/michigan-cannabis-sales-were-soft-in-december/

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/montana-retailers-have-sold-more-than-1-billion-worth-of-recreational-marijuana-since-legalization-took-effect/

https://www.technologynetworks.com/analysis/news/sterilization-does-not-fully-remove-toxic-fungi-from-cannabis-408810

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/atf-moves-to-loosen-gun-ban-for-people-whove-used-marijuana-or-other-illegal-drugs/

https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/23/missouri-cannabis-growers-fined-for-breaking-the-immaculate-conception-rule/

Subscribe to The Elevated News Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your favorite podcast app.

Leave a review, share the episode, and tell us what topic you want us to cover next.

Support the show and save with our partners below.

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