Former boxing champion Mike Tyson made a strong case for safe, legal cannabis in Pennsylvania last week, visiting the state Capitol to meet with lawmakers and push his brand's vision for accountability and legitimacy.
Tyson, known as "the baddest man on the planet" during his prime, has built a cannabis empire called Tyson 2.0 since entering the industry in 2021. With his high-profile brand partnering celebrities like Ric Flair and Evander Holyfield, Tyson is determined to prove that his company's products are among the best.
But beyond building his personal brand, Tyson wants to bring change to Pennsylvania's laws on cannabis. Adult recreational use of marijuana is legal in more than half the US states but remains a controlled substance under federal law. Tyson fears that the lack of regulation has led to subpar products and public health issues.
"I want Tyson 2.0 to be one of the biggest companies in the world," he said. "I'm here about the safety component of cannabis โ there's a lot of bad cannabis out there, and I don't want to see people getting sick because of it."
Tyson himself has battled addiction, serving time for rape before turning his life around with the help of cannabis. He credits the substance with changing his whole life and helping him kick cocaine and alcohol.
Now, Tyson is advocating for a more regulated market in Pennsylvania, where recreational weed remains off-limits to adults. His message aligns with Governor Josh Shapiro's push for legalization since 2023, which could generate over $500 million in new tax revenue if passed.
However, lawmakers are still divided on the issue. Last week, the Senate Law and Justice Committee voted down a proposal that would put the state Liquor Control Board in charge of selling cannabis, instead opting to establish a state Cannabis Control Board to oversee the industry.
The control board's chairperson, Sen. Dan Laughlin, has said that while he opposes recreational marijuana legalization, the bill aims to "clean up" the existing system and create uniform safety standards for untested hemp products.
Tyson's company also sells Delta 8 products, which have become widely available in Pennsylvania despite little regulation. His business partner Ryan Burke acknowledged the need for further oversight but emphasized that responsible production and sale can be achieved.
As Tyson looks to take his message "to the polls," it remains to be seen how lawmakers will respond to his push for safe, legal cannabis in Pennsylvania.
Tyson, known as "the baddest man on the planet" during his prime, has built a cannabis empire called Tyson 2.0 since entering the industry in 2021. With his high-profile brand partnering celebrities like Ric Flair and Evander Holyfield, Tyson is determined to prove that his company's products are among the best.
But beyond building his personal brand, Tyson wants to bring change to Pennsylvania's laws on cannabis. Adult recreational use of marijuana is legal in more than half the US states but remains a controlled substance under federal law. Tyson fears that the lack of regulation has led to subpar products and public health issues.
"I want Tyson 2.0 to be one of the biggest companies in the world," he said. "I'm here about the safety component of cannabis โ there's a lot of bad cannabis out there, and I don't want to see people getting sick because of it."
Tyson himself has battled addiction, serving time for rape before turning his life around with the help of cannabis. He credits the substance with changing his whole life and helping him kick cocaine and alcohol.
Now, Tyson is advocating for a more regulated market in Pennsylvania, where recreational weed remains off-limits to adults. His message aligns with Governor Josh Shapiro's push for legalization since 2023, which could generate over $500 million in new tax revenue if passed.
However, lawmakers are still divided on the issue. Last week, the Senate Law and Justice Committee voted down a proposal that would put the state Liquor Control Board in charge of selling cannabis, instead opting to establish a state Cannabis Control Board to oversee the industry.
The control board's chairperson, Sen. Dan Laughlin, has said that while he opposes recreational marijuana legalization, the bill aims to "clean up" the existing system and create uniform safety standards for untested hemp products.
Tyson's company also sells Delta 8 products, which have become widely available in Pennsylvania despite little regulation. His business partner Ryan Burke acknowledged the need for further oversight but emphasized that responsible production and sale can be achieved.
As Tyson looks to take his message "to the polls," it remains to be seen how lawmakers will respond to his push for safe, legal cannabis in Pennsylvania.