Legislation Proposed to Establish Pennsylvania Cannabis Control Board
July 22, 2025
Sponsored by Pennsylvania Senator Dan Laughlin (R-49) and a bipartisan group of sixteen state senators, Senate Bill 49 (“SB49”) would establish a new Cannabis Control Board (“CCB”) to govern the state’s medical marijuana program – while also being positioned to regulate the adult-use (recreational) market following eventual legalization. The senators introduced SB49 on June 30, 2025 and the bill was referred to the Senate Law and Justice Committee for consideration. Additionally, on July 16, 2025, Representative Amen Brown (D-10) introduced House Bill 1735 (“HB1735”)—a companion bill to SB49—and that was referred to the House Health Committee.
Under SB49, the new CCB would assume control of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program from the Department of Health, whose oversight Senator Laughlin’s co-sponsorship memo described as “plagued by regulatory inconsistencies, lack of transparency, and inefficiencies that have frustrated patients and businesses alike.” Senator Laughlin’s press release also noted the proliferation of “concerning unregulated intoxicating hemp products” in Pennsylvania as an additional driver behind the proposed legislation.
The CCB would be composed of seven members: three members appointed by the Governor; one member appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate; one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. The chairperson of the board would be selected by a majority of appointed members.
SB49 directs the CCB to promulgate temporary regulations by no later than 90 days after the legislation is enacted – with stakeholder input on those regulations – on subjects including seed-to-sale tracking system procedures, advertising and marketing regulations, and enforcement procedures. SB49 also establishes a “Cannabis Regulation Fund” derived from the fees payable under the legislation. The Cannabis Regulation Fund is intended to fund the CCB and establish programs to assist patients, as well as fund other agencies (with the remainder being transferred to the General Fund).
SB49 is only one of multiple recent proposals to legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania, including another proposal (House Bill 20) filed as recently as July 14, 2025 by Representative Emily Kinkead (D-20) and a bipartisan group of co-sponsors.
The Regulated Substances Blog is intended to keep readers current on developments regarding medical marijuana regulation and is not intended to be legal advice. Members of the Regulated Substances team at Eckert Seamans are well-versed in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program and are following developments regarding proposed legislation closely. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the proposed legislation, please contact Stephen Pemberton at spemberton@eckertseamans.com or Sarah Stoner at sstoner@eckertseamans.com.
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