Illinois Medical cannabis sales are dropping again and the numbers are raising serious questions about the health of the market. In Episode 135 of The Elevated News Podcast, we break down the latest medical cannabis sales data released by the State of Illinois, why dispensaries and MSOs are struggling, and what it means for the future of legal weed.

We also cover major cannabis company closures, layoffs across multiple states, and what’s really happening behind the scenes in the industry. Plus, a brand new 24/7 drive-thru dispensary just opened near St. Louis and the Army is changing its marijuana rules starting on 4/20.

Is the cannabis bubble starting to burst or is this just a correction?

Stick around for My Bud Jon’s product reviews and Dave’s Cannabis Corner where we break down how to actually use cannabis effectively with the right method of ingestion, cannabinoids, and dosing.

If you care about cannabis news, legalization, or the future of the industry, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Watch, comment your thoughts, and let us know if you think the cannabis industry is heading in the right direction.

Subscribe for weekly cannabis news and culture updates.

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- grab a tee before they’re gone!

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00:00:00 - Intro jingle

00:00:58 - reflecting on 135 episodes

00:02:45 - a preview of this weeks news

00:03:53 - Afilliate codes for buildasoil.com, thegreengro.com and peaceloveandcope tshirts on supportdopepeople.com

00:06:11 - Responding to your yourtube comments

00:07:18 - My Bud Jon rates and reviews

00:13:26 - methods of ingestion

00:16:47 - Illinois releases last nine months of medical cannabis sales totals

00:31:06 - The Cannabist Company Announces Strategic Transactions and Initiates Proceedings Under the CCAA

00:33:15 - Cannabis MSO PharmaCann closes another cultivation facility

00:40:37 - ‘Unlike anything that we have’: Swade Cannabis opening 24/7 drive-thru in Overland,Missouri

00:45:57 - New Army Rule Allows Recruits With A Marijuana Conviction To Enlist Without Needing A Waiver, Starting On 4/20

00:50:33 - Daves Conditional Cannabis Corner - Back to the basics - Know your methods of ingestion

01:02:44 - Gotta ask cole

01:03:57 - Outro

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.

🌱 BuildASoil → https://buildasoil.com/?ref=supportdopepeople

Use code SupportDopePeople for 5% off your order!

🌿 The Green Gro → https://thegreengro.com?sca_ref=4908674.J9aND9hTra

Use code TwoDopeDudes for 5% off!

👕 https://www.SupportDopePeople.com/store - grab a tee before they’re gone!

🐦 Two Dope Dudes on X → https://x.com/twodopedudes

Subscribe for weekly cannabis news, culture, and real conversations.

Join the conversation in the comments and share this with someone who needs to hear it.

Watch on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

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.

🌱 BuildASoil → https://buildasoil.com/?ref=supportdopepeople

Use code SupportDopePeople for 5% off your order!

🌿 The Green Gro → https://thegreengro.com?sca_ref=4908674.J9aND9hTra

Use code TwoDopeDudes for 5% off!

👕 https://www.SupportDopePeople.com/store - grab a tee before they’re gone!

🐦 Two Dope Dudes on X → https://x.com/twodopedudes.

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.