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Protecting Public Health: Ban Synthetic THC in Texas

Synthetic THC products are flooding Texas, creating a medical crisis that threatens our youth and communities. These unregulated, addictive substances are linked to serious mental health issues and public safety risks. It’s time for lawmakers to pass SB 3 and protect Texans from this growing threat.

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Safer Texas Alliance

By Dr. Matt Poling

The sale of synthetic THC products in Texas is a serious public health threat that cannot be ignored. These unregulated products are being sold at convenience stores, smoke shops, and online with no oversight, and they’re putting the health and safety of Texans, especially our young people, at serious risk. As a physician, I’ve seen firsthand the damage they can cause. It’s time for Texas lawmakers to act. It’s time to support SB 3.

The Danger of Synthetic THC

Synthetic THC products are chemically altered to mimic the effects of marijuana, but they are far stronger, more addictive, and more dangerous than natural marijuana. Delta-8-THC and Delta-9-THC are two of the most common synthetic cannabinoids sold in Texas, and many of the products contain THC levels that are much higher than the 16% found in most marijuana plants.

These products are particularly harmful to young people. THC is strongly linked to addiction, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. This should serve as a wake-up call, as young brains are still developing and are especially vulnerable to these substances. Synthetic THC products, marketed directly to young people, are contributing to this growing mental health crisis.

The Harm to Texas Communities

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Safer Texas Alliance

The risks of synthetic THC products go beyond individual health – they are also harming our communities. These products are linked to violent crime, costly emergency room visits, academic failure, and increased traffic accidents. This is a clear indicator of the real-world consequences of unregulated synthetic THC.

Additionally, these products are easily accessible to minors and are marketed in ways that appeal to young people, often in the form of colorful gummies and candies. This makes it even more urgent that we take action to protect our children and communities from these dangerous substances.

SB 3: A Total Ban on Synthetic THC Products

Texas needs SB 3. It’s a total ban on synthetic THC products in our state, and it’s critical that lawmakers support it. These products are not safe. They are highly addictive and devastating to public health. By banning these products from being sold, SB 3 will protect the health and safety of all Texans.

Failing to implement a total ban on synthetic THC products will be the breach in the dam, leading to an influx of even more harmful products with higher potency levels and greater risks to public health.

The harm caused by synthetic THC is clear, and the time to act is now. Supporting SB 3 will help prevent addiction, safeguard mental health, and reduce the public health risks these products pose. The costs are simply too high to ignore.

A Call to Action

As a medical professional, a parent, and a concerned Texan, I urge lawmakers to take swift action and support SB 3. We cannot afford to wait any longer while synthetic THC continues to harm our children, our communities, and our healthcare system. I urge every lawmaker to support SB 3 and take immediate action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all Texans.