Illinois News Joint’s goal from the first day of publishing has been to slowly and organically expand into a fully staffed daily publication covering all aspects of the Illinois cannabis industry. Starting in 2023, we have taken another step closer to that goal with our first employee hire. Illinois News Joint is ecstatic to announce that we have hired Michael Lasley as our Chief Content Director and are now offering freelance writers token honorariums for reviews and articles to help find our next future staff hire.

Lasley was born and raised in southern Illinois, but his interests “took a turn when he moved to Colorado just as the state was legalizing cannabis.” In Colorado, Lasley worked at a winery as a sommelier during the day and used his free time to learn about the cannabis industry.

While in Colorado, he immersed himself into the cannabis industry by visiting dispensaries, cultivation centers, speaking with industry professionals, and growing his own cannabis. He quickly became well versed in the various strains, cultivation methods, and regulations surrounding the industry.

After several years in Colorado, Lasley moved back to southern Illinois to raise his children. He transitioned back into the retail industry, managing at some of the largest retailers in the world for several years before taking a position as a Retail Lead in a Missouri medical cannabis dispensary. It was there where he put his knowledge and passions for cannabis into practice, helping patients find the right products to fit their medical needs.

Michael then took a position at an Illinois cannabis cultivator, where he used his experience and knowledge to help the company improve postproduction methods and optimize quality. Recently, Michael accepted the Chief Content Director position so he can focus his talent on creating high-quality content for Illinois News Joint full-time.

Still living in southern Illinois, Lasley is married, has three children, and enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, and pursuing outdoor activities when not working. He can be found on Instagram @high_withlasley, Twitter @michaeltlasley, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

For inquiries about how to become a freelance writer for Illinois News Joint, contact Jason Brown at editor@illinoisnewsjoint.com. For more Illinois cannabis industry news, visit here.

To learn about cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.

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