Mike Tyson Presses Pennsylvania Leaders on Cannabis Legalization and Safety

30 October 2025

Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion and founder of the cannabis brand Tyson 2.0, brought a message focused on safety to the Pennsylvania Capitol on October 29. He met with legislative leaders, including Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, and said he also spoke with Governor Josh Shapiro. Tyson told reporters he supports legalizing cannabis for adult use and stressed the need for tested products, strict age limits, and packaging that does not appeal to children. He said cannabis had helped stabilize his life, noting it played a role in his decision to stop using cocaine and alcohol.

His visit comes as lawmakers weigh different paths forward. Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program began in 2016, but recreational sales remain illegal. Governor Shapiro has called several times for legalization and has said it could bring in more than 500 million dollars in tax revenue in its first year. Most neighboring states already allow adult use, meaning Pennsylvanians can legally buy cannabis elsewhere and bring it home. Shapiro’s office has said that pattern draws potential revenue away from the state.

In the General Assembly, a bipartisan bill from Sen. Sharif Street and Sen. Dan Laughlin proposes legalizing recreational cannabis. A separate plan in the House, House Bill 1200, would have allowed sales through the state store system but failed in the Senate Law and Justice Committee. That committee later approved a different measure from Laughlin to create a Cannabis Control Board. Laughlin said the board would strengthen the current structure rather than legalize adult use. The bill also seeks to set safety rules for intoxicating hemp products, including delta-8 THC, which became common after the 2018 federal farm bill permitted industrial hemp cultivation.

Tyson 2.0 sells delta-8 products along with cannabis in other markets. Company representatives said that in states without recreational programs, consumers often turn to hemp-derived products sold in gas stations and vape shops. They argued that consistent standards and age checks could improve safety and help legitimate businesses meet demand without exposing buyers to untested items. Tyson added that he has discussed rescheduling cannabis with national political figures and believes legalization could encourage new small businesses in Pennsylvania.

For medical patients, consumers, and business owners, the coming months could shape the market’s direction. New hemp rules may change what is available in regular retail stores and how those products are tested and labeled. Broader legalization would move sales into a licensed system with taxes and compliance standards, which could affect where people shop and what they pay. If lawmakers do not act, cross-border buying is likely to continue, and hemp-based items will keep filling store shelves under uneven oversight. Tyson’s meetings, along with recent committee votes, suggest the state’s cannabis debate remains active, with choices that may influence how Pennsylvania regulates both cannabis and hemp.