--- title: Court Reverses Austin's Marijuana Ordinance description: Court Reverses Austin's marijuana decriminalization, triggering local policy shifts and statewide legal clashes. City officials and advocates respond. image: https://420intel.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20captures%20a%20bustling%20street%20scene%20in%20Austin%20Texas%20filled%20with%20diverse%20pedestrians%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20group%20of%20young%20adults%20some%20wearing%20tiedye%20shirts%20and%20others%20in%20casual%20attire%20are%20gathered%20around%20a%20colorful%20mural%20depicting%20cannabis%20leaves.jpeg --- [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) ### Press ESC to close [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) # Court Reverses Austin's Marijuana Ordinance - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - [Cannabis Laws](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-laws) - 25 April 2025 AUSTIN, Texas — Austin's marijuana decriminalization policy is set to change after a court decision made this week. The Fifteenth Court of Appeals "reversed and remanded" Austin's current marijuana policy, which decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana. Under the Austin Freedom Act, approved by voters in 2022, Austinites could not be cited or arrested for low-level marijuana offenses. The court's reversal would end this decriminalization. In response to the ruling, a city of Austin spokesperson said:  *“We have received a decision from the 15th Court of Appeals and thank the Court for its time and consideration. We are reviewing the Court’s ruling as we evaluate our next steps.”* Earlier this week, the Texas Senate advanced a bill that would ban illegal drug decriminalization in cities across the state. Senate Bill 1870 relates "to municipal and county enforcement of drug and consumable hemp product laws; providing civil penalties." As of Tuesday, April 22, the bill still had one more vote to go in the Senate before it could be sent to the Texas House for consideration. Several Texas cities, including Austin, have faced lawsuits from Attorney General Ken Paxton in his effort to halt the decriminalization of small levels of marijuana. Paxton initially sued Austin in June 2024, but the suit was soon dismissed by the Travis County District Court.  Last week, San Marcos' marijuana decriminalization ordinance was reversed by a state court of appeals. Similar to Austin, the city's original ordinance was approved by voters in 2022 and also faced a lawsuit from Paxton.  Other Texas cities that have decriminalized marijuana include Lockhart, Elgin and Denton.  Ground Game Texas, the group that has led the charge for marijuana decriminalization in several Texas cities, released the following statement on Thursday regarding the court decisions for Austin and San Marcos: *“These decisions don't change the fact that the people of Austin and San Marcos spoke with one voice. It doesn’t change the fact that the ordinance protected residents from arrest and criminalization over low-level possession for years. And it doesn’t change our commitment to this fight.* *“It changes how we fight, not why we fight. We will continue to work with our partners in San Marcos and Austin to craft policies that respond to this ruling while working to preserve the will of the voters who overwhelmingly turned out for these ordinances.”*  At the statewide level, Senate Bill 3 looks to ban THC-infused consumable hemp products, like edibles or beverages. However, medical marijuana policies would not be impacted, nor would the sale of CBD and/or CBG.        [by KVUE ](https://www.kvue.com/article/news/crime/austin-marijuana-decriminalization-reversed-appeals-court/269-0543f775-eba0-456b-873c-af846eb1a677)   [Cannabis Laws](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-laws) ![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=200&height=200&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) #### [Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) At 420 Intel, we cover cannabis legalization news throughout the world, offer reliable information for cannabis business owners, detail technological advances that impact the marijuana industry, cover marijuana rallies from across the globe, and everything in between. - - - [Recreational Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) [![How Much Should an Ounce of Weed Cost in Austin?](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20captures%20a%20vibrant%20scene%20at%20the%2030th%20annual%20Reggae%20Fest%20in%20Austin%20Texas%20held%20at%20Auditorium%20Shores%20A%20diverse%20crowd%20of%20enthusiastic%20festivalgoers%20dances%20joyfully%20enveloped%20in%20a%20cloud%20of%20smoke%20as%20they%20celebrate%20under%20a%20blue%20sky%20dotted%20with%20flu.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=The%20image%20captures%20a%20vibrant%20scene%20at%20the%2030th%20annual%20Reggae%20Fest%20in%20Austin%20Texas%20held%20at%20Auditorium%20Shores%20A%20diverse%20crowd%20of%20enthusiastic%20festivalgoers%20dances%20joyfully%20enveloped%20in%20a%20cloud%20of%20smoke%20as%20they%20celebrate%20under%20a%20blue%20sky%20dotted%20with%20flu.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/how-much-should-an-ounce-of-weed-cost-in-austin) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 18 April 2025 #### [How Much Should an Ounce of Weed Cost in Austin?](https://420intel.com/blog/how-much-should-an-ounce-of-weed-cost-in-austin) Of all the months in the year, April might just be the best time to live in Austin, Texas. The... [Cannabis Laws](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-laws) [![Austintown Township Trustees Score Win, Push for $5.1M Grant](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/A%20bustling%20township%20meeting%20room%20filled%20with%20local%20officials%20and%20community%20members%20all%20engaged%20in%20a%20lively%20discussion%20At%20the%20forefront%20Trustee%20Robert%20Santos%20stands%20at%20a%20podium%20gesturing%20emphatically%20while%20speaking%20about%20the%20recent%20victory%20in%20securing-1.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=A%20bustling%20township%20meeting%20room%20filled%20with%20local%20officials%20and%20community%20members%20all%20engaged%20in%20a%20lively%20discussion%20At%20the%20forefront%20Trustee%20Robert%20Santos%20stands%20at%20a%20podium%20gesturing%20emphatically%20while%20speaking%20about%20the%20recent%20victory%20in%20securing-1.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/austintown-trustees-win-marijuana-legislation-now) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 8 July 2025 #### [Austintown Township Trustees Score Win, Push for $5.1M Grant](https://420intel.com/blog/austintown-trustees-win-marijuana-legislation-now) AUSTINTOWN — Township trustees already have had one victory from lobbying legislators this month... [Medical Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/medical-cannabis-news) [![Aussie Medicinal Cannabis Faces Import Threat](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20vibrant%20green%20field%20of%20cannabis%20plants%20under%20a%20bright%20blue%20sky%20with%20rows%20of%20healthy%20tall%20plants%20stretching%20towards%20the%20horizon%20A%20group%20of%20dedicated%20workers%20in%20sun%20hats%20and%20gloves%20are%20seen%20tending%20to%20the%20plants%20carefully%20inspecting-1.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=The%20image%20depicts%20a%20vibrant%20green%20field%20of%20cannabis%20plants%20under%20a%20bright%20blue%20sky%20with%20rows%20of%20healthy%20tall%20plants%20stretching%20towards%20the%20horizon%20A%20group%20of%20dedicated%20workers%20in%20sun%20hats%20and%20gloves%20are%20seen%20tending%20to%20the%20plants%20carefully%20inspecting-1.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/aussie-medicinal-cannabis-faces-import-threat) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 6 May 2025 #### [Aussie Medicinal Cannabis Faces Import Threat](https://420intel.com/blog/aussie-medicinal-cannabis-faces-import-threat) Kate Turland, a passionate Australian producer of medicinal cannabis, is raising concerns about the... - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) Back to Top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Buzz", "url" : "https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz" }, "dateModified" : "2025-04-25T12:00:00.301Z", "datePublished" : "2025-04-25T12:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Court Reverses Austin's Marijuana Ordinance", "image" : [ "https://420intel.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20captures%20a%20bustling%20street%20scene%20in%20Austin%20Texas%20filled%20with%20diverse%20pedestrians%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20group%20of%20young%20adults%20some%20wearing%20tiedye%20shirts%20and%20others%20in%20casual%20attire%20are%20gathered%20around%20a%20colorful%20mural%20depicting%20cannabis%20leaves.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://420intel.com/blog/court-reverses-austins-marijuana-ordinance", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://420intel.com/hubfs/Asset%2016.png" }, "name" : "420 Intel" } } ```