Pot ads ruled free speech

BOSTON — A federal appeals court has ruled that Boston’s mass-transit agency violated free-speech rights by refusing to display advertisements from a group that wants to legalize marijuana.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority rejected three ads submitted by the group Change the Climate in 2000, claiming they encouraged children to smoke pot. The transit authority argued that it has the right to protect riders from offensive or illegal messages.

But the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found Monday that the MBTA, a quasi-government agency, does not have the right to turn down ads based on its viewpoint. Doing so violates the First Amendment, the court ruled.

“MBTA advertising space is literally a billboard for the expression of opinions to citizens at large. As a government agency, they shouldn’t have the right to pick and choose what opinions they allow to be advertised,” said Harvey Schwartz, an attorney for Change the Climate.

The ads at the center of the dispute question marijuana laws and penalties for people arrested on minor possession charges.

“I’ve got three great kids,” reads one ad. “I love them more than anything. I don’t want them to smoke pot. But I know jail is a lot more dangerous than smoking pot.”

MBTA General Manager Michael Mulhern says the ads sent a bad message.

“We felt that the ads promoted illegal drug use, and furthermore, we felt that the ads targeted youngsters,” Mulhern said.

Over the years, the agency has received numerous complaints from its riders about advertisements.