Governor Shapiro and Marc Fogel Explore 2025 Pennsylvania CannFest, Spotlighting Urgent Need for Reform
Kutztown, PA – The 2025 Pennsylvania CannFest, set for October 4-5 at Renninger’s Farmers Market (740 Noble Street, Kutztown), is poised to be a landmark event in the state’s push for reform. Organized by Zick Pro LLC, this biannual celebration, one of the largest festivals of its kind, welcomes thousands of enthusiasts, advocates, and community members to champion legalization and social justice. This year, the festival is honored to feature Marc Fogel, a Pennsylvania teacher recently released from Russian custody for possessing medical dispensary cannabis, and has extended a formal invitation to Governor Josh Shapiro to join him in a powerful call for change.
A Platform for Reform: Marc Fogel’s Story
Marc Fogel, a western Pennsylvania educator, endured over three years in a Russian penal colony for possessing 17 grams of legally purchased legal product from a Pennsylvania dispensary. His case, which garnered national attention, underscores the harsh consequences of outdated mj laws globally and locally. Despite his release, Fogel’s story remains a rallying cry for reform, as he was not classified as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government, leaving him overlooked in high-profile prisoner swaps. At the festival, Fogel will make his first public appearance advocating for legalization, sharing his experience to highlight the need for compassionate, equitable policies.
Zick Pro LLC has requested a private meeting between Governor Shapiro and Fogel during the event. “Marc’s ordeal is a stark reminder of why Pennsylvania must modernize its laws,” said Trish Johnson, the CFO of Zick Pro LLC. “Governor Shapiro’s leadership is critical to ensuring no one else faces such injustice for using a substance that is legal for medical purposes here and recreationally in neighboring states.”
Governor Shapiro’s Role in Reform
Governor Josh Shapiro has been a vocal proponent of adult-use legalization, including it in his 2024 and 2025 budget proposals. His vision did include legal adult use by July 1, 2025, with regulated sales starting January 1, 2026, projecting over $1.3 billion in state revenue over five years. Shapiro emphasizes social equity, advocating for expungement of nonviolent possession convictions and restorative justice initiatives funded by its revenue. “It’s a competitiveness issue,” Shapiro stated in his 2025 budget address, noting that Pennsylvania loses revenue to neighboring states like New York, New Jersey, and Maryland, where 60% of canna shop customers are Pennsylvanians.
Despite bipartisan voter support 68% of Pennsylvanians back legalization, per a 2025 Responsible PA poll, the state legislature remains divided. The Democratic-led House passed HB 1200 in May 2025, proposing state-run stores, but the Republican-controlled Senate rejected it, citing concerns over the retail model. Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) has called legalization a “nonstarter” in budget talks, though bipartisan bills from Senators Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) offer alternative frameworks. Advocates, including the CannFest patrons, argue that legalization is essential to close the state’s funding gap and reduce the 11,000 annual possession arrests.
Event Details: A Celebration of Community and Advocacy
The CannFest, held from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on October 4-5, 2025, at Renninger’s Farmers Market, is a vibrant, canna-friendly event that blends advocacy, education, and entertainment. General admission is $20 (plus fees and taxes), with free parking available across 20 acres. The festival is for ages 21+, with strict adherence to Pennsylvania state laws. Vendors may only sell compliant products, and no outside alcohol, glass, or weapons are permitted. Attendees are encouraged to carpool and arrive early to avoid traffic congestion.
Expect over 200 vendors, including dozens of unique food trucks offering “canncentric” experiences, engaging activities such as discussion panels, medical card certifications, and hemp product demonstrations. A highlight is the Marc Fogel Lounge where patrons can enjoy the products from the festival.
The festival partners with local organizations, including Kutztown Fire, which hosts boot drives at entrances, and Topton Ambulance, ensuring safety on-site. Maxatawny Township benefits from increased revenue, reinforcing the event’s positive economic impact. “This is a respectable, community-driven event,” said Trish Johnson. “We’re proud to work with Renninger’s, a family-owned market, to create a space where Pennsylvanians can celebrate culture and demand reform.”
The Urgent Need for Reform
Pennsylvania’s political landscape is at a crossroads. Since legalizing mmj in 2016, over 300,000 residents have been approved for conditions like anxiety, yet recreational use remains criminalized, leading to over 11,000 possession arrests in 2023. Neighboring states’ legal markets have left Pennsylvania lagging, losing tax revenue and burdening its justice system. A 2025 Muhlenberg College poll found only 21% of Pennsylvanians oppose legalization, the lowest opposition since 2013, reflecting a growing consensus for change.
The festival’s advocacy aligns with Shapiro’s call for expungement and social equity, addressing communities disproportionately harmed by criminalization. Marc Fogel’s case exemplifies the human cost of prohibition: a medical patient serving a 14-year sentence abroad for a small amount of legally obtained product. “Legalization isn’t just about revenue, it’s about justice,” said Jeff Zick, President at Zick Pro LLC. “Marc’s presence and Governor Shapiro’s potential attendance will amplify this message.”
A Call to Action
The CannFest invites all Pennsylvanians to join this historic event to celebrate this culture and demand reform. Whether you’re an advocate, entrepreneur, or curious attendee, your presence on October 4-5 will send a message to Harrisburg. Tickets are available at penncannafest.com. If Governor Shapiro attends, his private meeting with Fogel could mark a turning point in Pennsylvania’s journey toward legalization.
For information and tickets to the event, click here. Let’s make history together at Renninger’s Farmers Market because Pennsylvania’s time for reform is now.
