What’s this? Now even those promoting messages critical of government policy have a right to free speech? Damn liberal activist judges!
The Associated Press: WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has decided not to appeal a judge’s decision throwing out a law aimed at keeping pro-marijuana ads out of the nation’s bus and subway stops.
The law threatened to cut off up to $3.1 billion in federal funds to local transit authorities in 2004 if they displayed ads promoting the legalization or medical use of marijuana or other drugs. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman ruled in June that it unconstitutionally infringes on free speech rights.
Acting Solicitor General Paul Clement sent letters to lawyers for the House and Senate saying Friedman’s decision would not be appealed because ‘the government does not have a viable argument to advance in the statute’s defense.’
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Following Friedman’s ruling, the Washington system displayed a paid ad in September that showed a group of ordinary people standing behind prison bars under the headline, “Marijuana Laws Waste Billions of Taxpayer Dollars to Lock Up Non-Violent Americans.”
