Since Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016, the cannabis industry has grown quickly—but not without growing pains. In a recent interview on WITF's The Spark, host Asia Tabb sat down with Judith D. Cassel, a leading attorney and advisor for cannabis companies, to explore how the legal landscape has evolved and what misconceptions still cloud this rapidly expanding market.

 

Since Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016, the cannabis industry has grown quickly&mdash;but not without growing pains. In a recent interview on WITF's The Spark, host Asia Tabb sat down with Judith D. Cassel, a leading attorney and advisor for cannabis companies, to explore how the legal landscape has evolved and what misconceptions still cloud this rapidly expanding market.
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When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at&nbsp;<a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

Judith D. Cassel Unpacks the Challenges Facing Pennsylvania’s Budding Industry

Downtown HBG Perception Survey

Music in History - Pennsylvania's State Song

(00:00:00)

We begin with July Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, and Ryan Unger, President & CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. They break down ongoing revitalization efforts in downtown Harrisburg, why the city’s growth matters for the entire region, and how the new Downtown Harrisburg Perception Survey will guide future planning, investment, and community priorities.

(00:22:51)

Then we turn to cultural heritage with Dr. Michael A. Di Giovine, anthropologist and museum director, to explore how Pennsylvanians connect to their past through public memory, music and symbols like the Pennsylvania state song. He discusses how music, art, and storytelling help shape a shared sense of identity.

(00:00:00)
We begin with&nbsp;July Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, and Ryan Unger, President &amp; CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. They break down ongoing revitalization efforts in downtown Harrisburg, why the city&rsquo;s growth matters for the entire region, and how the new Downtown Harrisburg Perception Survey will guide future planning, investment, and community priorities.
(00:22:51)
Then we turn to cultural heritage with Dr. Michael A. Di Giovine, anthropologist and museum director, to explore how Pennsylvanians connect to their past through public memory, music and symbols like the&nbsp;Pennsylvania state song. He discusses&nbsp;how music, art, and storytelling help shape a shared sense of identity.

Downtown Harrisburg’s Future and Pennsylvania’s Cultural Story: What Revitalization and Heritage Reveal

We spoke with Dr. Sarah Fischer, Associate Professor of Literacy Education, and Dr. Kerry Hasler-Brooks, Associate Professor of English and Chair of the Department of Language, Literature, and Writing, about Pennsylvania’s new law requiring cursive handwriting instruction in schools. The conversation explored how cursive connects students to historical documents and deepens their ability to read and interpret primary texts, while also encouraging slower, more reflective thinking in a fast-paced digital age. The professors also discussed the role cursive plays in elementary literacy development, including its impact on cognitive growth, fine motor skills, and reading fluency. Together, they highlighted how handwriting is more than a nostalgic practice — it’s a meaningful bridge between history, literacy, and critical thinking in contemporary education.

Also on the program

The YWCA Greater Harrisburg is pleased to announce the honorees for their 37th Annual Tribute to Women of Excellence, all of whom will be celebrated at an event on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. Over the last 37 years, the YWCA has honored more than 800 extraordinary women for their contributions to our region, both professionally and philanthropically. This year, they honor 28 women who dedicate time and talent to making a difference in Central Pennsylvania. 

We spoke with Dr. Sarah Fischer, Associate Professor of Literacy Education, and Dr. Kerry Hasler-Brooks, Associate Professor of English and Chair of the Department of Language, Literature, and Writing, about Pennsylvania&rsquo;s new law requiring cursive handwriting instruction in schools. The conversation explored how cursive connects students to historical documents and deepens their ability to read and interpret primary texts, while also encouraging slower, more reflective thinking in a fast-paced digital age. The professors also discussed the role cursive plays in elementary literacy development, including its impact on cognitive growth, fine motor skills, and reading fluency. Together, they highlighted how handwriting is more than a nostalgic practice &mdash; it&rsquo;s a meaningful bridge between history, literacy, and critical thinking in contemporary education.
Also on the program
The YWCA Greater Harrisburg is pleased to announce the honorees for their&nbsp;37th&nbsp;Annual Tribute to Women of Excellence, all of whom will be celebrated at an event on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.&nbsp;Over the last 37 years, the YWCA has honored more than 800 extraordinary women for their contributions to our region, both professionally and philanthropically. This year, they honor 28 women who dedicate time and talent to making a difference in Central Pennsylvania.&nbsp;

The Spark Weekly | March 8th | Cursive Reemerges in Pa. Schools and Highlighting Women of Excellence.

Women of Excellence

Braver Angels

(00:00:00)

The YWCA Greater Harrisburg is pleased to announce the honorees for their 37th Annual Tribute to Women of Excellence, all of whom will be celebrated at an event on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. Over the last 37 years, the YWCA has honored more than 800 extraordinary women for their contributions to our region, both professionally and philanthropically. This year, they honor 28 women who dedicate time and talent to making a difference in Central Pennsylvania. 

(00:22:19)

On this month's Braver Angels segment, we’ve all seen the growing division in our country, and we are at a pivotal point in time where we can choose to add to the division (using polarizing language, sharing highly politicized memes, etc), or we can be courageous and work to close that divide. Braver Angel's workshops and events are not about changing minds or compromising. They are meant to change how we view each other. People do not have to indicate their political leaning when they attend a skill building workshop. 

(00:00:00)
The YWCA Greater Harrisburg is pleased to announce the honorees for their&nbsp;37th&nbsp;Annual Tribute to Women of Excellence, all of whom will be celebrated at an event on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.&nbsp;Over the last 37 years, the YWCA has honored more than 800 extraordinary women for their contributions to our region, both professionally and philanthropically. This year, they honor 28 women who dedicate time and talent to making a difference in Central Pennsylvania.&nbsp;
(00:22:19)
On this month's Braver Angels segment, we&rsquo;ve all seen the growing division in our country, and we are at a pivotal point in time where we can choose to add to the division (using polarizing language, sharing highly politicized memes, etc), or we can be courageous and work to close that divide. Braver Angel's workshops and events are not about changing minds or compromising. They are meant to change how we view each other. People do not have to indicate their political leaning when they attend a skill building workshop.&nbsp;

Judith D. Cassel Unpacks the Challenges Facing Pennsylvania’s Budding Industry

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