The US Supreme Court ruled Monday in favor of a school that suspended a student for brandishing a banner proclaiming “Bong Hits 4 Jesus,” in one of the more bizarre recent free-speech cases.
\nThe high-school pupil, Joseph Frederick, had argued that the school principal had infringed his constitutional right to free speech by suspending him in January 2002 over his apparently pro-cannabis message.<\/p>\n
But in a five-three decision, the Supreme Court found that schools “may take steps to safeguard those entrusted to their care from speech that can reasonably be regarded as encouraging illegal drug use.”<\/p>\n
“We conclude that the school officials in this case did not violate the First Amendment by confiscating the pro-drug banner and suspending the student responsible for it,” the ruling written by chief justice John Roberts said.<\/p>\n