Gov. Sanders Signs Measure to Protect Arkansans from Dangerous Drugs

Marijuana, ,

Last week, Gov. Sanders signed a good law to protect Arkansans from dangerous drugs like THC made from industrial hemp.

THC is the main psychoactive drug in marijuana.

In 2018, Congress passed the federal Agriculture Improvement Act legalizing industrial hemp — or cannabis — that is low in THC. The goal was to let farmers grow cannabis plants for use in textiles like rope or cloth, but manufacturers have found ways to extract and refine the little bit of THC in industrial hemp. Doing this on a commercial scale means they can produce a lot of THC to infuse into drinks, candies, e-cigarettes, and other products.

In response, many state and federal policymakers have pushed back against these dangerous drugs.

For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that federal law prohibits hemp-derived THC in food products.

Massachusetts, South Dakota, California, and many other states have successfully prohibited food, drinks, and other products that contain THC made from hemp.

In 2023, Arkansas passed Act 629 by Sen. Tyler Dees (R – Siloam Springs) and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R – Paragould) to prohibit THC made from industrial hemp.

Family Council supported that good law, and the legislature voted to pass it.

However, members of the hemp industry filed a lawsuit against Act 629, and the law has been tied up in federal court ever since.

This year Sen. Dees and Rep. Gazaway filed S.B. 533 to address the issues raised in the lawsuit over Act 629.

S.B. 533 is a good bill that will help prohibit intoxicating hemp products that contain THC and other drugs in Arkansas if Act 629 is ruled unconstitutional.

The bill effectively stops THC and other drugs made from hemp from being put into food or drinks sold in the state.

It also ensures other hemp products — like CBD oil or cosmetics — do not contain dangerous drugs or other contaminants.

On Monday Governor Sanders signed S.B. 533 into law — making it Act 934 of 2025.

We deeply appreciate Sen. Dees, Rep. Gazaway, the Arkansas Legislature, and the governor for taking this issue seriously, and for passing a good law to help protect Arkansans from dangerous drugs.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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New Law Lets Home Schoolers Go the Distance on Extracurriculars

Home School, ,

Earlier this month, Gov. Sanders signed a good law that will expand opportunities for home schoolers.

S.B. 547 by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R — Jonesboro) and Rep. Stephen Meeks (R — Greenbrier) eliminates an old provision in state law that says home schoolers must live within 25 miles of a private school in order to participate in extracurricular activities at that school.

The bill did not receive a lot of attention, but it’s still a good law that is going to help home school families.

With the governor’s signature, S.B. 547 is now Act 728 of 2025.

We appreciate Sen. Sullivan, Rep. Meeks, and our friends in the legislature working with us on this good measure, and we appreciate Gov. Sanders signing it into law.

Act 728 will help further expand extracurricular and interscholastic opportunities for Arkansas’ home schooled students. That’s good for everyone.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Governor Sanders Signs Law to Give Students a Window into the Womb

Legislation, , ,

On Monday Governor Sanders signed a good law to help teach public school students about unborn children.

S.B. 450 by Sen. Breanne Davis (R — Russellville) and Rep. Kendra Moore (R — Lincoln) lets public school students see a recording of a high-definition ultrasound video as part of human fetal growth and development education courses.

The law also makes it possible for students to learn important facts about how unborn children develop in the womb.

Similar legislation reportedly has passed in North Dakota, Tennessee, Idaho, and Kansas.

With the governor’s signature, S.B. 450 is now Act 915 of 2025. Act 915 received overwhelming support in the Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives, and we want to recognize the legislature for supporting this good law and Governor Sanders for signing it on Monday.

Very few medical advancements have done more to change hearts and minds on abortion than ultrasound technology. In fact, research has shown that some women are less likely to have an abortion if they see an ultrasound image of their unborn child. Act 915 will help students understand that unborn children are human beings.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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