The Meyner Center, in conjunction with Lafayette College, works with outside programs to facilitate its goals of advancing study of federalism and improving the community.

Staff members are involved in numerous organizations, including the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, the International City Managers Association, and the Association of Pennsylvania Municipal Managers, amongst others.

Undertakings have included projects involving the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Fulbright International Summer Institute (FISI), and the USIA.

The Legalization of Marijuana

On February 1, 2017 the Center sponsored the program at Lafayette College. About 175 municipal officials from the Lehigh Valley and suburban Philadelphia attended the event.

John Hudak, a Senior Fellow with the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, provided a history of the culture, policies, and laws on marijuana in the United States during the past 50 years.

John Walko and William Roark of Hamburg, Rubin gave a detailed outline of Act 16, Pennsylvania’s new medical marijuana law. Applications are being accepted from companies seeking growing and dispensary permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Growing facilities and retail dispensaries are expected to open in Pennsylvania by late 2017 or early 2018.

Josh Genderson, President of Hollistic Industries in Washington DC, explained how marijuana is grown commercially.

PowerPoint slides of the presentations can be viewed at

Roark and Walko presentation

Genderson Presentation