As Shapiro continues to push for legalization of recreational marijuana use, proposed legislation would aim to put a control board into effect to conduct oversight.
The longstanding debate over legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania has continued to rage as Governor Josh Shapiro expressed his support for the change during his 2026-27 state budget address in February.
In light of the discussions in Harrisburg, State Senator Dan Laughlin, a Republican from Erie, has introduced a bill that would create an independent Cannabis Control Board aimed at overhauling regulation of the state’s cannabis industry.
“I think that we should make it safe, legal [and] put it in a controlled environment,” said Laughlin on his proposed legislation.
The bill was introduced last June and was considered before committee in March. It received bipartisan support.
The legislation comes as conversations in Harrisburg focus on potential legalization of recreational marijuana, as well as regulations for production and safety standards.
The legislation does not legalize recreational cannabis. Laughlin believes the control board is necessary to oversee the state’s existing medical marijuana program. The bill would also apply to recreational marijuana, should it be legalized in the future.
Marijuana was legalized for medical use in Pennsylvania nearly ten years ago.
Of the six states that share borders with the Commonwealth, five of them have legalized recreational cannabis use within the last six years.
Shapiro’s proposed budget estimates $729 million in new revenue would be generated next fiscal year should recreational marijuana be legalized in Pennsylvania.
The budget proposal aims to help the governor close a $5 billion gap between what Pennsylvania spends and the revenue the state is bringing in.
Some critics argue that Shapiro is overestimating the potential revenue that recreational marijuana would bring in.
The governor will have a difficult time making progress on legalizing recreational cannabis with a divided legislature.
