Paxton Sues Austin Over Voter Approved Policy Banning Pot Arrest

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Austin and four other Texas cities for adopting policies prohibiting the prosecution of marijuana possession that he says are at odds with state law.

Austin’s policy, approved by the city’s voters, is preempted by a state law, the lawsuit says, which mandates that a municipality may not decide to stop fully enforcing drug laws.

“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,” Paxton said in a statement.

The lawsuit names a number of ...