Ninth Circuit Vacates & Remands ‘Bong Hits 4 Jesus’ Ruling

    SAN FRANCISCO (CN) – The Ninth Circuit vacated and remanded its denial of immunity to a high school principal in Alaska who was sued for suspending a student for holding a banner: “Bong Hits 4 Jesus.”

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The circuit remanded in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal, in which the justices ruled that the “Bong Hits” message could be seen as promoting illegal drugs, and the speech had taken place at a school-sponsored event. Principal Deborah Morse suspended Joseph Frederick for 10 days after he unfurled the 14-foot banner during an Olympic torch relay in 2002, while standing on a public street across from Juneau-Douglas High School. Remanded to the District Court of Alaska. See .