Texas AG Paxton Sues Five Cities Over Marijuana Decriminalization
The lawsuit targets cities that passed ordinances decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, sparking widespread criticism and highlighting a divide on drug policy.
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin, and Denton, aiming to reverse their marijuana decriminalization policies.
- Critics argue the lawsuit is a distraction from Paxton's own legal troubles and an assault on democracy, given the overwhelming voter support for decriminalization in these cities.
- Polls indicate that a significant majority of Texans support legalizing recreational marijuana, contrasting with Paxton's stance.
- Local advocates and officials defend the decriminalization measures as reflecting the will of the voters and prioritizing public safety over low-level drug offenses.
- The lawsuit has sparked a debate on the role of state vs. local authority in setting drug policy, with implications for the ongoing national conversation on marijuana legalization.
Austin Chronicle 