Moving Messages

Yesterday a federal judge in Washington blocked enforcement of a law that threatens to withhold funding from transit systems that accept ads criticizing drug prohibition. U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman ruled that the ban was a clear example of viewpoint discrimination: It allows transit systems to accept ads supporting the war on drugs (such as those sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy) but demands that they reject messages expressing a contrary view. Friedman said the First Amendment means that Congress "cannot prohibit advertisements supporting legalization of a controlled substance while permitting those that support tougher drug sentences."

[Thanks to Pete Guither at DrugWarRant.com for the tip.]