Essay
Ahniya Morgan
Model Legislation 2026
HF2023 Pro-Con Essay
Pro-Con Essay
HF2023 is a bill that would be forcing the commissioner of education in consultation with the commissioners of health and human services, local district and school health education
specialists to identify one or more model programs that may (must) be used to educate middle school and high school students on the health effects on children and adolescents of cannabis use and substance use, including but not limited to the use of fentanyl or mixtures containing fentanyl. A model program identified by the commissioner must be medically accurate, age and developmentally appropriate, culturally inclusive, and grounded in science, and must address:
(1) the physical and mental health effects of cannabis use and substance use by children, adolescents, and persons under 25 years of age, including effects on the developing brains
of children, adolescents, and persons under 25 years of age
(2) unsafe or unhealthy behaviors associated with cannabis use and substance use
(3) signs of substance use disorders
(4) treatment options
(5) healthy coping strategies for children and adolescents
6) overdose recognition, prevention, and response.
This bill should be passed due to strengthening student health education at a time when substance-related risks are consistently rising. First, the bill requires schools to teach the physical and mental health effects of cannabis and other substances, including how they impact the developing brain of anyone under 25, ensuring students receive medically accurate information rather than misinformation from peers or social media. Second, HF2023 mandates instruction on unsafe or unhealthy behaviors associated with substance use, helping students recognize real‑world risks such as impaired judgment, accidental ingestion, or dangerous mixing of substances. Third, the bill expands education to include overdose recognition, prevention, and response, which is crucial given the rise of fentanyl‑contaminated substances affecting teens nationwide.
This bill should not be passed because of raising concerns about control and overall logistics. First, requiring the commissioner to identify specific model programs could unintentionally limit local control, forcing districts to adopt state‑approved curricula that may not reflect community values or cultural needs. Second, implementing medically accurate, culturally inclusive, and developmentally appropriate programs may create financial and logistical burdens, especially for smaller or rural districts that lack trained health educators or funding for new materials. Third, some critics may argue that discussing topics like fentanyl, overdose response, and substance‑use disorders in middle school could be too intense or fear‑inducing for younger students, potentially causing anxiety rather than prevention.
HF2023 presents a meaningful effort to protect students by ensuring they receive accurate, science‑based education about cannabis, fentanyl, and other substances. Its strengths lie in its comprehensive approach—addressing health effects, risky behaviors, coping strategies, and overdose response—at a time when youth substance risks are evolving rapidly. Ultimately, whether HF2023 should pass depends on balancing the urgency of youth health and safety with the practical realities schools face.