Introverts unite!

Comfy Houston cozies up as a top city for homebodies, report says

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Go out tonight? No thanks, we're good.

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The COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us to become homebodies. But some places are better than others for cozying up at home and binge-watching the latest Netflix hit.

It just so happens that Houston is one of the best U.S. cities for homebodies, at least according to one new ranking.

Dallas is one of the best U.S. cities for homebodies, at least according to one new ranking.

Furniture retailer Joybird puts Houston at No. 19 on its new list of the top cities for homebodies. To develop the ranking, Joybird examined 11 factors for 50 of the biggest cities in the country. The factors include average internet speed, average rent, average yard size, and number of openings for remote jobs.

Dallas at No. 8 on its new list of the top cities for homebodies. To develop the ranking, Joybird examined 11 factors for 50 of the biggest cities in the country. The factors include average internet speed, average rent, average yard size, and number of openings for remote jobs.

Raleigh, North Carolina, tops the list. Joining Houston in the top 20 are Dallas (No. 8), Austin (No. 10), and San Antonio (No. 16). New York City sits in last place.

Looking at it another way, Texas is home to one-fifth of the top 20 cities for homebodies.

“Part of the reason Texas has so many cities with high overall scores is the state’s internet infrastructure,” Joybird explains. “One of the most powerful internet service providers available to at least some of the general American public right now, Google Fiber, is available in most of Austin, some of Houston and San Antonio, and small parts of Dallas. For context, the majority of states don’t have any access to Google Fiber.”

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

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