Texas GOP Attorney General Sues To Overturn Marijuana Decriminalization ‘Anarchy’ In Five Cities Despite Local Voter Approval

The Republican attorney general of Texas is suing five cities over local laws decriminalizing marijuana that voters approved, vowing to overrule the “anarchy” of “pro-crime extremists” who advocated for the reform.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) on Wednesday filed lawsuits against the cities of Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin and Denton over the decriminalization policies that voters passed at the ballot over recent years.

Citing state statute and Constitutional provisions that he argues prevent localities from enacting laws that conflict with statewide policy, Paxton said in a press release on Wednesday that he “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.”

“This unconstitutional action by municipalities demonstrates why Texas must have a law to ‘follow the law,’” he said. “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.”

This comes as activists with Ground Game Texas and Texas Cannabis Collective are actively collecting signatures to place local marijuana decriminalization initiatives on the November ballot in two more cities: Dallas and Lockhart.

Voters in Lubbock are already set to get the opportunity to decide on a local decriminalization measure in May after lawmakers approved a…