Texas Judge Dismisses GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Lawsuit Against Voter-Approved Cannabis Measure, Upholds Austin’s Marijuana Decriminalization Law
In a significant legal victory for cannabis reform advocates, a Texas district court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who had tried to overturn a voter-approved marijuana decriminalization measure that was approved in Austin in 2022 by nearly 80% of adults.
The ruling by Travis County District Court Judge Jan Soifer, issued on Tuesday, rejected both the challenge and a request for a temporary injunction, reported KXAN, a local NBC outlet.
As a result, the decriminalization initiative remains in effect, though Paxton may still appeal to a higher court. Austin is the state’s fifth-largest city in Texas.
AG Paxton Is Suing Five Cities
Paxton has filed similar lawsuits against four other Texas cities, including San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin and Denton, all of which have adopted voter-supported decriminalization policies in recent years.
This decision marks the first judicial defeat for Paxton’s campaign against local cannabis reforms. In February, Paxton said, “I will not stand idly by as cities run …