The Big Smear: False and Misleading Claims Dan Patrick and Sen. Perry’s Press Conference Deconstructed and Debunked

Executive Summary

On March 19, 2025, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick hosted a legislative briefing to address the proliferation of synthetic THC products across the state. The briefing centered on Senate Bill 3, introduced by Senator Charles Perry, which aims to ban these products completely. Law enforcement officials and families affected by synthetic THC-related mental health crises provided testimony supporting the proposed legislation. This report analyzes the claims, evidence, and broader context of this high-profile public health discussion.

Introduction and Background

The briefing opened with Lieutenant Governor Patrick displaying a map showing approximately 8,300 locations selling THC products throughout Texas. “This is the problem,” Patrick stated, pointing to the visual representation. “8,300 locations doing $8 billion worth of business in Texas, preying on young people, preying on any adult who doesn’t know what the products are they’re buying.”

Patrick framed the issue as an urgent matter requiring immediate legislative intervention, emphasizing that Senate Bill 3 would ban THC products completely, including those found in beverages sold at liquor stores. “This is a poison publicly, and we as the legislature, number one responsibility is life and death issues, and that’s why this is Senate Bill three,” Patrick declared.

Senator Perry’s Presentation

Senator Charles Perry, the author of Senate Bill 3, presented a notably emotional case against synthetic THC products, recounting several personal stories of young adults suffering from psychosis and addiction. “2020 years old in recovery for a year. I’m here for David. 29 years old in psychosis today. I’m here for grace. 29 in psychosis today. I’m here for melody. 22 addicted,” Perry recounted, listing numerous cases of young people experiencing severe psychiatric and health issues allegedly linked to synthetic THC use.

Perry emphasized that the products in question are fundamentally different from traditional cannabis: “This is not pot of yesterday. This is stuff that will change lives forever in a very negative way, actually probably cause loss of life at the end of the day, because paranoid and schizophrenia are the attributes that are a common thing when you talk to these parents of these kids are in this stuff.”

The senator also addressed concerns about THC-infused alcoholic beverages: “In what world would conceive that if you mix drug and alcohol, that the end result can be anything but bad? That doesn’t end well for any people.” He insisted that such products cannot be excluded from the proposed ban.

Perry directly challenged the industry’s economic arguments: “Profit over people is never an excuse to ignore the people… The taxes we collect does not cover the behavioral health issues that’s created an addiction that state budgets of the day have to cover.”

Law Enforcement Perspectives

Police Chief Steve Dye of Allen, representing the Texas Police Chiefs Association, provided insights into the challenges facing law enforcement. He explained that consumable THC products currently being sold across Texas often contain illegally high concentrations of THC: “Undercover police investigations have found THC consumables that tested up to 78% THC concentration, which is many times more than the naturally grown marijuana of the past, which was less than 5% THC.”

Chief Dye highlighted the marketing tactics employed by retailers: “Wholesalers and retailers often market these products as candy, chips and cookies, covering labels to disguise and mislead on the contents. Consumers have no idea what they’re consuming in these containers, and most people think that if you walk into a store and you’re able to buy something from a retail establishment, it must be legal and it must be safe. With these THC consumables, neither is true.”

District Attorney Greg Willis of Collin County reinforced these concerns from a prosecutorial perspective: “Daily dosing basically can make psychosis five times more likely. For one in 10 heavy users, the psychosis never lifts, and it becomes a lifetime of mental illness. One hit, one habit, and the door to schizophrenia swings wide open, never fully closing again.”

Willis drew parallels to previous synthetic drug crises: “As has been mentioned, we’ve been here before. K2 spice basalts. Every time it starts the same, new drug slips through a loophole, gets marketed as safe, as just another option. Then comes the overdoses, the psychotic breaks and the ruined lives. But each time Texas has acted, and Texas should act again.”

Sheriff Bill Waybourn added context about the impact on county jail systems, noting: “We’ve been asking to add to our mental health capacity in Tarrant County because of these things, this is clearly the evil that stands before us.”

Testimony from Affected Families

Some of the briefing’s most compelling testimony came from family members of those affected by synthetic THC products. A representative from Safe and Healthy Texas shared the story of Sonia Jimenez, whose son died by suicide after experiencing psychosis from a product called “wedding cake Delta eight.” According to the testimony, “The voices in [his] head told him to go to LA to save God’s children… He was suffering. He didn’t understand what happened in front of the train.”

Another parent, Chandel Stricklin, shared her personal experience of having to retrieve her son from a psychiatric ward: “I had to pick up my son from a psych ward, had to speak with a psychiatrist, explained the medication, the recovery process and what next steps for our family would look like.” She described her fear of her own child after his mental state changed dramatically: “For the first time in my life, I experienced being afraid of my own child… I question if I need to stay up all night, am I going to be able to go to sleep?”

Stricklin emphasized the need for immediate action: “We don’t have time for more regulation, because families are at risk, lives are at risk, we are asking for a total ban of synthetic THC.”

Policy Discussions and Responses to Questions

When questioned about existing medical cannabis programs in Texas, Senator Perry clarified that Senate Bill 1505 would be amended to expand the state’s compassionate use program: “There’ll be an amendment on the floor for the teacup bill, 1505 when it comes up that’s going to require not, not May, but shall, open up those three additional licenses that we’re going to so they’ll produce six licenses.”

Perry also addressed a question about a poll showing 68% support for THC in Texas, arguing the poll was misleading: “Synthetic THC was not polled… The average person in this room, and people are listening, do not understand the distinction between THC and synthetic.” He suggested that the public might support the concept of THC in general without understanding the specific dangers of synthetic variants.

Lieutenant Governor Patrick emphasized coordination among state leadership: “The Governor and the Speaker and I have talked about this several times. We just had breakfast this morning. We’re all on the same page. We’re going to protect the people of Texas from THC.”

Patrick concluded with a pointed observation about retail locations: “Why are almost all of these THC stores building and opening up around schools? The idea that they say, ‘Well, we have 21 sign on the door. We don’t sell—’ Why are they all opening up around school? That’s where they believe their market is, you don’t open a business in an area that you’re not selling products.”

Analysis and Context

The briefing presented a coordinated message from state leadership, law enforcement, and affected families, all supporting a complete ban on synthetic THC products. However, several important considerations merit additional context:

First, the terminology used throughout the briefing often blurred distinctions between different types of cannabis-derived products. The speakers frequently referred to “synthetic THC” when discussing hemp-derived cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC, which are technically semi-synthetic (derived from CBD through chemical conversion) rather than fully synthetic drugs like K2 or Spice. This terminological imprecision could lead to confusion about exactly which products would be banned under the proposed legislation.

Second, while the speakers cited extreme cases of psychosis and other serious health effects, they did not address the complex relationship between cannabinoid use and mental health that has been documented in scientific literature. The causal relationship between THC exposure and psychosis is still being studied, with some research suggesting bidirectional effects and confounding factors that complicate straightforward conclusions.

Third, the briefing characterized the industry as exploiting regulatory loopholes rather than acknowledging the complex legal environment created in the wake of the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and created a gray area for hemp-derived cannabinoids. The speakers did not address potential regulatory frameworks short of complete prohibition that might address their concerns while allowing regulated access.

Finally, the economic implications of banning an $8 billion industry in Texas were mentioned primarily as a counterargument to industry claims rather than as a consideration requiring detailed analysis. The potential impact on tax revenues, employment, and alternative sources for these products was not substantively addressed.

Conclusion

The March 19 briefing presented a strong case for banning synthetic THC products in Texas based on public health and safety concerns, particularly regarding mental health impacts on young people. The testimony from affected families provided compelling emotional support for the proposed legislative action.

While Senate leadership has signaled firm support for Senate Bill 3, the dynamic in the Texas House of Representatives differs significantly from that in the Senate. Industry advocates and stakeholders will have opportunities to address factual inaccuracies that contribute to what appears to be a moral panic designed to eliminate the industry rather than regulate it responsibly. The Texas legislative process requires each chamber to pass identical bills before any law can be presented to the governor, leaving ample room for negotiated regulations or even the possibility of Senate Bill 3 being defeated entirely.

Businesses operating in this sector should focus on implementing and maintaining best practices to improve overall industry optics. Strict adherence to existing laws and regulations provides the most effective defense against both immediate enforcement actions and proposed prohibitions. Companies that can demonstrate responsible operations, age verification procedures, proper labeling, and third-party testing will be better positioned to advocate for reasonable regulation rather than outright prohibition.