State Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, speaks during a news conference in August in Girard.

An Erie lawmaker’s shakeup to the way marijuana and hemp products are governed in Pennsylvania – including the state’s medical marijuana program – is on its way to the state Senate floor.

The Senate Law and Justice Committee, chaired by Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, has approved legislation sponsored by Laughlin focused on strengthening oversight of the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program and unregulated hemp products by a 10-1 vote, with Sen. Dawn Keefer, R-Dillsburg, the only no vote.

“This bill is not about legalizing adult-use cannabis – it’s about cleaning up the system we already have in place, giving our commonwealth the structure and expertise to manage what’s already occurring within our borders,” Laughlin said.

Investigations published by Spotlight PA have shown a small number of doctors approve a large share of medical marijuana cards in Pennsylvania while the state Health Department rarely blocks doctors from joining the program based on prior discipline. Legislation based on the news outlet’s reporting has been advanced out of the state House of Representatives and will now be discussed by the state Senate, according to a recent Spotlight PA article.

It could place those doctors on probation, limit the number of certifications they are allowed to issue, mandate supervision by another practitioner, and impose reporting requirements. The department could also set other conditions if needed to protect patients. Laughlin will lead Senate deliberations of the proposal.

“The main priority of this board is to ensure accountability, consistency and public safety,” said Laughlin. “While the Department of Health has worked hard within its authority, it was never designed to manage a rapidly growing industry, resulting in a program bogged down by slow responses, inconsistent oversight and a lack of clarity – frustrating patients and legitimate businesses.”

Senate Bill 49 would establish the Pennsylvania Cannabis Control Board and transfer regulatory control of the Medical Marijuana Program to said board. This legislation stems from a hearing held earlier this year by Laughlin’s committee which shed light on the massive public safety risk posed by intoxicating hemp products in Pennsylvania – products derived from hemp legalized under the 2018 Federal Farm Bill. Senate Bill 49 would create uniform safety standards for untested and potentially harmful intoxicating hemp products currently available for public purchase.

“We are seeing an explosion of unregulated hemp products being sold openly at gas stations, vape shops and convenience stores statewide,” Laughlin said. “These products are marketed with no known testing, labeling or age restrictions. This is a health risk and regulatory blind spot we can’t ignore any longer.”