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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priority bill, SB 3, would ban THC sales in Texas, citing concerns over public health and rising psychiatric issues in young people. Meanwhile, Rep. Caroline Fairly’s HB 1481 seeks to ban cellphones in K-12 schools to combat distractions and improve mental health.
Today’s Insights:
The Senate Targets All THC Products
No Phones Allowed?
The Senate Targets All THC Products
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick expressed strong support for SB 3 during a press conference on Wednesday, calling it essential to address what he sees as a growing public health concern. The bill, introduced nearly six years after Texas legalized the sale of consumable hemp with THC levels below 0.3%, would ban the sale of THC products, which Patrick believes are being sold through a loophole in the 2019 law. Since the legalization, over 8,000 stores have opened statewide, many selling THC products.
Patrick criticized these stores for marketing THC as safe and legal, while, according to testimony in the Senate State Affairs committee, is contributing to an increase in psychiatric issues among children and young adults. He emphasized that some stores are selling products with THC levels as high as 750 milligrams per serving, which he believes is harmful to public health.
“There are lots of issues that we discuss between the Senate and the House, and sometimes, you're gonna policy differences, and you work those differences out.
This is not one of those bills. This is a bill where we have to ban THC and shut all of these stores down. And secondly, that includes THC that's being sold in liquor stores and drinks; there's no exception to this. This is a poison in our public and we as the legislature, our number one responsibility is life and death issues and that's why this is Senate Bill 3.”
Senator Charles Perry, who authored the bill, also voiced concerns about the deceptive labeling and marketing practices in the industry.
“The deception in this industry, what they have created, and the lives they have ruined are unacceptable and unnecessary”
Image Credit: Amarillo Globe News
No Phones Allowed?
HB 1481 by Representative Caroline Fairly seeks to ban cellphones in K-12 schools during classroom instruction time, leaving discipline up to the school districts discretion Fairly claims the goal is to reduce distractions, improve mental health, and improve academic performance. This legislation follows similar bans enacted by at least eight states in recent years, with bipartisan support from both Democrat and Republican-led states. The bill is co-sponsored by a majority of the Texas House, including members of both parties. Fairly, the youngest member of the Texas Legislature, emphasizes her personal experience with cellphones and their disruptive nature in classrooms. The proposal provides flexibility for schools to decide whether phones can be used during extracurricular activities and outlines exemptions for certain special education settings where phones are necessary for instruction or medical reasons.
“Studies show that the constant use of phones and social media is leading to a mental health crisis. And in fact, schools cite growing incidences of cyberbullying due to these phones. My generation is more anxious, depressed, less focused, and more distracted than ever before.”
During a House Public Education Committee hearing, supporters of the bill, including educators like Rancier Middle School Principal Janelle Muhammad, testified about the positive impacts of existing cellphone bans on reducing cyberbullying and in-person conflicts. However, members raised concerns about the bill’s broad scope, particularly its potential impact on student safety during emergencies and the creation of unfunded mandates for school districts.
The bill would take effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year if passed.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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