New legislation can ensure a safe cannabis framework for Pennsylvania

Gov. Josh Shapiro was right to renew his call for adult-use cannabis legalization in his recent budget address, and Pennsylvania now has an opportunity to take a practical step forward immediately and responsibly, with structure and public safety at the center.

We don’t have to choose between protecting consumers now and pursuing cannabis regulation thoughtfully. We can, and should, do both. Senate Bill 49, introduced by state Sen. Dan Laughlin, provides a pathway to immediate oversight through a newly formed Cannabis Control Board that would put an end to the risks posed by the intoxicating hemp products currently overrunning the commonwealth.

These products are already available in gas stations, smoke shops and convenience stores across Pennsylvania. Many of them are extremely potent, untested, inaccurately labeled and packaged in ways that appeal to minors. 

A report released in October by the Montgomery County Investigating Grand Jury detailed numerous instances where children became ill after ingesting intoxicating hemp products sold at these stores, including one where a 14-year-old purchased a “Krisp Rice Treats” that contained a massive dose of 400 mg of hemp-derived THC and caused the child to vomit and appear “out of his mind.” No parent expects a child to encounter intoxicating THC products next to snacks at a convenience store. This situation is not rare; it’s a symptom of a marketplace without clear rules. These products exist in a gray area created by loopholes in federal law.

Their vast presence in Pennsylvania is made possible by a regulatory system that tightly controls medical marijuana while leaving hemp intoxicants largely unchecked. Our medical marijuana program operates under strict state control, while the intoxicating hemp market remains unregulated. The result is a two-tiered system where highly regulated, law-abiding operators must meet rigorous standards, while unregulated sellers operate in what can only be described as a Wild West environment.

It’s clear from the extent to which these hemp-based products are available that the Department of Health is not equipped to police this rapidly expanding marketplace. Enforcement is inconsistent, reactive and ineffective. Without a central oversight authority, unsafe products and bad actors will continue to flourish.

Senate Bill 49 would establish a Pennsylvania Cannabis Control Board, a single independent regulatory body to consolidate oversight, enforcement and product testing for all intoxicating cannabis products. This is not about expanding access; it is about establishing enforceable rules and consistent standards. It is about law and order, consumer protection and fair competition.

A dedicated board would give the commonwealth the authority and resources to shut down illegal operations, prevent sales to minors, and hold businesses accountable under clear and consistent rules. It would ensure that all intoxicating cannabis products are subject to the same safety standards, labeling requirements, and age restrictions.

Furthermore, establishing a Cannabis Control Board is a proactive step that positions Pennsylvania to lead rather than react as Congress addresses federal hemp loopholes. It establishes a durable foundation for future policy discussions grounded in facts, transparency, and accountability.

By advancing Senate Bill 49, lawmakers can immediately protect Pennsylvanians from unsafe, untested intoxicating products being sold without guardrails. The intoxicating hemp market is already here; ignoring it will not make it disappear.

The goal is simple: protect consumers, support law-abiding businesses, restore public trust, and build a regulatory system strong enough to meet the moment.  Pennsylvania can either shape this market or be shaped by it. Senate Bill 49 gives lawmakers the chance to take control now and build a safe, well-regulated cannabis market for the future.