Appeals court sides with pro-marijuana group in Indiana case

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - A federal appeals court has ruled that a northwestern Indiana county's policies controlling the use of its courthouse grounds violate the First Amendment.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana sued Tippecanoe County's commissioners after they rejected a request by a group that supports legalizing marijuana to rally outside the courthouse.

The suit filed on behalf of Higher Society of Indiana Inc. said the commissioners had a "closed forum" policy allowing them to decide who uses that space.

The Journal & Courier reports (http://on.jconline.com/2r5mO81 ) a three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously Wednesday that the commissioners' controls violate the First Amendment. The ruling upholds a federal judge's December injunction on the controls.

ACLU attorney Ken Falk called Wednesday's decision "a victory for free speech" and citizens.

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Information from: Journal and Courier, http://www.jconline.com