A Pennsylvania Senate committee has advanced legislation to establish a Cannabis Control Board that would oversee the state’s medical marijuana program.
The Senate Law and Justice Committee voted 10 to 1 in favor of the proposal, which was introduced by State Senator Dan Laughlin, a Republican from Erie County and chair of the committee. The measure would set up the board, create a Cannabis Regulation Fund, and manage the permitting and dispensing of marijuana to patients and caregivers.
Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana system, launched in 2016, is currently overseen by the Department of Health. Laughlin has been critical of the department’s handling of the program, arguing that a dedicated board would be better equipped. “The Department of Health has a thousand other things to do,” he said.
Although the bill focuses on medical marijuana, Laughlin noted that a Cannabis Control Board could also serve as part of the framework if Pennsylvania eventually legalizes recreational marijuana. Governor Josh Shapiro included legalization in his proposed 2025–26 budget as a major new revenue source, but Republican leadership has since made clear that legalization will not move forward this year.
The measure now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
