Texas Legal professional Common Ken Paxton introduced a lawsuit Thursday concentrating on the blue metropolis of Dallas over a poll measure that decriminalizes marijuana.
Paxton alleges that Proposition R, which “prohibits the Dallas Police Department from making arrests or issuing citations for marijuana possession or considering the odor of marijuana as probable cause for search or seizure,” violates state regulation.
The lawyer common argues within the lawsuit that the poll measure is preempted by Texas regulation, which criminalizes the possession and distribution of marijuana. Paxton additionally claims the Texas Structure prohibits municipalities from adopting an ordinance that conflicts with legal guidelines enacted by the state legislature.
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Texas Legal professional Common Ken Paxton speaks exterior the U.S. Supreme Courtroom on November 01, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Photos)
“Cities cannot pick and choose which State laws they follow,” Paxton stated in a press release. “The City of Dallas has no authority to override Texas drug laws or prohibit the police from enforcing them.”
Paxton known as the poll measure “a backdoor try to violate the Texas Structure” and threatened to sue some other metropolis that “tries to constrain police in this fashion.”
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A flower bud of marijuana. (AP Photograph/Sakchai Lalit, File)
The lawsuit comes after interim Dallas Police Division Chief Michael Igo directed Dallas law enforcement officials to not implement marijuana legal guidelines towards these discovered to be in possession of lower than 4 ounces.
Floor Sport Texas, a progressive nonprofit group that campaigned in favor of the poll measure, argued it will assist “keep people out of jail for marijuana possession,” “reduce racially biased policing” and “save millions in public funding.”
A mature marijuana plant begins to bloom beneath synthetic lights at Loving Kindness Farms in Gardena, Calif., Could 20, 2019. Paxton has sued the town of Dallas over a poll measure that decriminalized possession of small quantities of marijuana. (AP Photograph/Richard Vogel)
“It’s unfortunate but not surprising that Attorney General Ken Paxton has apparently chosen to waste everyone’s time and money by filing yet another baseless lawsuit against marijuana decriminalization,” stated Catina Voellinger, government director for Floor Sport Texas.
“Judges in Travis and Hays counties have already dismissed identical lawsuits filed there. The Dallas Freedom Act was overwhelmingly approved by 67% of voters — this is democracy in action.”
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Since January 2024, Paxton has filed lawsuits towards 5 Texas cities that decriminalized marijuana possession, arguing these insurance policies promote crime, drug abuse and violence.
