Judge: Doctors can mention medical pot in ads

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A state judge has found that a law prohibiting doctors from mentioning medical marijuana in advertisements is unconstitutional.

The News Tribune reports that Pierce County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Martin ruled Friday that the law violates a medical professional's First Amendment right to free speech.

The ruling came in a case brought by Pierce County osteopath Scott Havsy.

He sued the state last year after the Department of Health sanctioned him for advertising his willingness to authorize a patient's use of medical marijuana.

The News Tribune reports that Havsy developed a reputation as a go-to guy for people who want to use marijuana for medical reasons.

His lawyer argued that the state's ban on medical marijuana advertisements hindered a patient's ability to find doctors to authorize its use.