Bong Hits for Jesus

Sounds like something only a stoner would talk about, right? Normally you would probably be right. However, this phrase was the center of discussion by the U.S. Supreme Court when it heard oral arguments on March 19 for Morse v. Frederick, a case involving the First Amendment right to free speech.

Frederick, a high school senior in Juneau, Alaska, displayed a large banner with the phrase “Bong hits for Jesus” across the street from his school during the Olympic Torch Relay through the city in 2002. Morse, the school principal, suspended him for 10 days when he refused her order to put down the banner. Frederick appealed his suspension to the school board, which upheld the punishment. So, he took the case to court.

The district court found for Morse, but then the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found for Frederick. Now the future of this case lies in the hands of the country’s highest court. What is at stake? According to Justice Breyer, if the Court rules for Frederick, students will be “testing limits all over the place in high school,” but if it rules for Morse, it will give schools large amounts of power to quash all speech contrary to officially school endorsed messages.

For an amusing take on this case, read this article. Also try here.