Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits against five Texas cities for decriminalizing low-level possession of marijuana. The clash is a part of the overall debate over local policies aimed at reducing the criminalization of the plant and whether states should exert authority over localities in this area.
In a statement, Paxton said he would “not stand idly by as cities run by pro-crime extremists deliberately violate Texas law and promote the use of illicit drugs that harm our communities.”
The lawsuit is intended to compel these cities to crack down even on low-level marijuana possession.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced lawsuits against five Texas cities over “amnesty and non-prosecution policies” related to marijuana possession and distribution, according to a Wednesday press release.
The lawsuits target Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin and Denton.
Texas’ constitution and state law requires municipalities and counties to enforce state drug laws and prohibits policies that limit or prevent enforcement.
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“This unconstitutional action by municipalities demonstrates why Texas must have a law to ‘follow the law.’ It’s quite simple: the legislature passes every law after a full debate on the issues, and we don’t allow cities the ability to create anarchy by picking and choosing the laws they enforce,” said Paxton in the release.
Paxton’s lawsuit has met with its share of criticism. Ground Game Texas, an organization that helped…
