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Ed Mahon

Ed Mahon comes to Spotlight PA from PA Post, where he covered state politics and policy, produced radio stories that were broadcast on public media stations throughout the state and on NPR’s national newscasts, and co-wrote a weekday newsletter. Prior to joining PA Post, Ed worked for six years as an investigative and political reporter for the York Daily Record, part of the USA Today Network. His reporting on failures in Pennsylvania’s system for protecting domestic abuse victims was a finalist in the national 2018 Livingston Awards for Young Journalists in the local reporting category. He was also part of a team whose coverage of the criminal justice system, including the aggressive use of civil asset forfeiture by York County prosecutors, received the 2018 G. Richard Dew Award for Journalistic Service from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. Before joining the York Daily Record, Ed covered K-12 education at the Centre Daily Times in State College and worked as a stringer for suburban sections of The Philadelphia Inquirer. He grew up in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Latest by Ed Mahon


Pa. Department of Health sues to keep medical marijuana program data secret

Patients need a doctor’s permission to get a medical cannabis card in Pa. But data on those approvals remain secret.
By Ed Mahon


How anxiety came to dominate the big business of medical marijuana cards in Pennsylvania

An unprecedented Spotlight PA analysis of 1 million medical marijuana certifications reveals how a change by policymakers made it possible for virtually anyone to get a card.
By Ed Mahon

A behind-the-scenes look at Spotlight PA’s analysis of 1 million medical marijuana certifications

The Pennsylvania Department of Health sued Spotlight PA in an attempt to keep data on qualifying conditions secret, but a court ruling in favor of the newsroom forced their release.
By Ed Mahon

Pa. election 2022: Where Doug Mastriano, Josh Shapiro stand on the opioid epidemic, medical marijuana, and other health issues

The coronavirus and abortion have dominated the conversation surrounding the 2022 race for governor, but the next person who holds that office will make other big health decisions.

By Ed Mahon

Pennsylvania’s flawed medical marijuana program, a complete guide to Spotlight PA’s investigations

The yearlong reporting project has revealed major flaws and inequity in the system, prompting positive change and more calls for reform, but will the state legislature take action?

By Ed Mahon

Pa. law protects workers who are approved for medical marijuana — but once they use it, it’s a different story.

Fired workers and frustrated employers are facing off in court battles over Pennsylvania’s vague safeguards for marijuana patients, and those on both sides are asking for a legislative fix.

By Ed Mahon

Commonwealth Court orders Pa.’s health department to release information on medical marijuana program

For more than a year, the Department of Health has fought to block Spotlight PA’s request for information. Judges rejected the agency’s arguments calling one claim “undeveloped.”
By Ed Mahon

Pa. court system says it’s not responsible for county judges banning opioid addiction medication

A federal lawsuit alleges the Pennsylvania court system discriminated against people with opioid use disorder, raising questions about who is responsible for decisions made by local judges.

By Ed Mahon

Companies blanket Pa. with ads about how to get a medical marijuana card, but doctors are silenced

Pennsylvania physicians can approve patients for the program but they are banned from advertising that power.

By Ed Mahon
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