The same lawmaker attempting to advance marijuana legalization for recreational use is now pushing to create a powerful unelected Control Board on all marijuana policy and regulation through Senate Bill 49, a proposal that threatens to increase marijuana use and lay the groundwork for full recreational legalization in our Commonwealth.

This bill, introduced by State Senator Dan Laughlin (who also introduced Senate Bill 120 to legalize recreational marijuana), includes several deeply troubling elements:

❌ Taxpayer-funded subsidies for marijuana use: SB 49 would create a fund to directly subsidize the cost of marijuana products, expanding access and effectively using state dollars to promote marijuana use.

❌ ‘Fox guarding the henhouse’: A majority of the seven-member board would be appointed by pro-recreational-use lawmakers — including Gov. Josh Shapiro, Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton (D), and State Senator Jay Costa (D) — giving power to advocates of the marijuana industry to shape marijuana policy without voter input.

❌ Unchecked power with serious public health consequences: SB49 would grant “general and sole regulatory authority” to this unelected, politically-appointed seven-member board, which risks the interests of the marijuana industry influencing pathways to expand the availability of high-potency THC products and future policy expansion.

The marijuana industry is already driving a wave of negative impacts on public health and safety in other states. Pennsylvania should not hand over sweeping authority to an unelected board aligned with pro-legalization interests.

TAKE ACTION: Contact your State Senator today and urge them to vote NO on SB 49.