Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenges cannabis decriminalization

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is actively challenging local efforts to decriminalize or limit enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses. In 2024, Paxton filed lawsuits against several cities, including Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin, and Denton, regarding policies that restrict the enforcement of minor cannabis violations.

Following a measure in Dallas where approximately 67% of voters supported restricting arrests and citations for possession of up to four ounces of marijuana, Paxton initiated legal action. He characterized these local policies as a “backdoor attempt” to violate the Texas Constitution and warned that any city attempting to constrain police enforcement would face lawsuits from his office.

While reform supporters argue that local voters should decide enforcement priorities to allow police to focus on more serious crimes, Paxton maintains that state law takes precedence over municipal policies.