In 2016 this General Assembly established the medical marijuana program to allow patients in our Commonwealth to legally access safe and regulated medical marijuana. Since its passage there have been significant changes to the definition of hemp at the federal level that have brought  dangerous and unregulated hemp-based products to Pennsylvania. 

Through the 2018 Farm Bill the federal government attempted to legalize hemp for agricultural purposes but created a legal loophole that has grown into an unregulated, multibillion dollar industry selling and marketing hemp products that are intended to allow the user to get “high.”  These products are sold in gas stations or in smoke shops and marketed to customers as safe and legal. However, a report done by the Philadelphia Inquirer showed that nearly every product they tested contained more than the legal limit of Delta-9 THC and many contained either pesticides or aspergillus (a fungus that can cause respiratory infections.)

In November of 2025, Congress closed the federal loophole by updating the definition of hemp. FY2026 Agriculture appropriations act (P.L. 119-37, Division B) contains a provision that reimposes federal controls over certain hemp products.

My proposed legislation would update the commonwealth's Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to include the federal definitions related to hemp and hemp related products so that our law enforcement agencies have clear guidance that these products are illegal in Pennsylvania. 

Adult use cannabis is an important issue that our General Assembly must address but until such time we must get these dangerous and unregulated products out of our Commonwealth. 

Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation.