An American citizen who served years in a Russian prison over marijuana possession before his release was secured by the Trump administration earlier this year will be a featured speaker at a Pennsylvania cannabis festival this coming weekend.
Marc Fogel will “make his first public appearance advocating for legalization” at the 2025 Pennsylvania CannFest as state reform efforts continue to heat up in the legislature, organizers said. They’ve also invited Gov. Josh Shaprio (D), who supports legalization, to participate.
Prior to his incarceration in Russia, Fogel was a registered Pennsylvania medical cannabis patient—a point repeatedly highlighted by bipartisan congressional lawmakers as they urged executive action to ensure his safe return to the U.S.
The State Department under former President Joe Biden eventually designated Fogel as a “wrongfully detained” individual toward the end of his term, after previously resisting the move. The American teacher was serving a 14-year sentence after being convicted of “drug smuggling” over possession of a half-ounce of cannabis.
Ahead of his designation as wrongfully detained, there were repeated calls for the diplomatic status change, including a letter sent to the Biden administration by over a dozen members of Congress that emphasized that Fogel’s access to marijuana was
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