Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits against five cities – Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Denton and Elgin – ordinances that aim to eliminate enforcement of low-level marijuana possession offenses.
Paxton alleges the cities’ actions violate state law and the Texas constitution. The lawsuits ask the courts to declare the ordinances void and order the cities to fully enforce state drug laws.
The ordinances were passed after being approved by voters in local ballot propositions. They prohibit police from making arrests or issuing citations for misdemeanor marijuana possession in most cases.
However, Paxton argues the Texas Local Government Code forbids cities from adopting policies not to fully enforce drug laws. He also says the ordinances violate a section of the Texas Constitution stating that city ordinances cannot conflict with state law.
They would look weak. It’s not about policy it’s about being tough on “insert any issue” and letting the fanbase lap it up.
The easy part about running on an anti-whatever policy is that if you keep people on drip fed fear and anxiety it hits a lot more people than it ever would in a content society. A miss isn’t a loss because it just falls on deaf ears for the people who are gonna vote that way anyway. If you are on the other side it’s a hit no matter what, you either agree or are disgusted which inches you just that little bit closer to the fear and anxiety point they ultimately want you at.
Reactionary politics are instant dopamine for everyone.