Texas Court Strikes Down Austin’s Local Cannabis Decriminalization Law

An appeals court on Thursday struck down the locally adopted cannabis
decriminalization policy in Austin, Texas, KUT News reports.

Austin voters approved the decriminalization ordinance in 2022. However, in
2024, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) sued the city — and other
municipalities in the state with similar reforms — over the changes. The
suit was initially dismissed by a Travis County judge, but with Thursday’s
appeals court ruling, the lawsuit is expected to move forward.

Under Austin’s decriminalization law, police and prosecutors had stopped
investigating and enforcing low-level cannabis crimes. While the city plans
to evaluate its next steps, Austin Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes called the
ruling a “huge letdown,” the report said.

“Now, our police will be forced to waste time on minor marijuana cases
instead of focusing on violent crimes. Once again, the State is stepping on
local decisions that reflect the values Austin residents actually care
about.” — Fuentes, in a statement

The Texas cities of Austin, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos
have adopted similar local policies.

Catina Voellinger, executive director for cannabis advocacy group Ground
Game Texas, which helped put decriminalization on the ballot in Austin and
other municipalities, said in the report, “These decisions don’t change the
fact that the people of Austin and San Marcos spoke with one voice.”

Meanwhile, a poll of likely Texas voters earlier this year found over 60%
support for legalizing adult-use cannabis.