Texas AG Paxton sues cities over marijuana non-enforcement policies

Texas GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday announced lawsuits against five Texas cities over their marijuana policies that he says conflict with state laws.

Recreational marijuana use is illegal in the Lone Star State. Paxton, in announcing the suits, said that amnesty and non-enforcement policies adopted by Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin, and Denton were incompatible with state law.

"I will 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," he said in a press release. "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."

Paxton cited the Texas Local Government Code, which bars municipalities from adopting policies "under which the entity will not fully enforce laws relating to drugs."

Marijuana is illegal at the federal level. President Joe Biden last year issued pardons for thousands of people convicted for the use and possession of marijuana on federal property.

"Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana.  It’s time that we right these wrongs," he said at the time.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.