#210 - From the Cornbread Mafia to Cannabis Reform: Jim Higdon on Cannabis policy and Legalization’s Future

The Cole Memo

On this episode of The Cole Memo, I’m joined by Jim Higdon — journalist, author, and co-founder of Cornbread Hemp. We talk about his Kentucky roots, how the Cornbread Mafia helped inspire the brand’s name, and why Cornbread Hemp has become one of the leading voices for common-sense hemp regulation. Jim unpacks the messy realities of cannabis legalization, why the hemp market has regulators and industry giants rattled, and how federal inaction has fueled innovation — and confusion. We also discuss why limiting access and participation is a form of modern prohibition, and what’s at stake in Texas and beyond. Watch video version or read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/06/24/e210/