OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A southwestern Nebraska attorney and advocate for legalizing marijuana is suing the state Department of Motor Vehicles after he was denied a personalized license plate that state officials say would promote illegal drug use.
The Nebraska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed the federal lawsuit Thursday on behalf of Frank Shoemaker, of Holbrook, saying the state violated Shoemaker’s constitutionally protected right to free speech.
The lawsuit says Shoemaker had applied earlier this year for a state license plate that read “NE420.” The term “420” is insider shorthand for cannabis consumption.
The motor vehicle agency rejected Shoemaker’s application, saying the number 420 is “associated with a date and time for people to gather and smoke marijuana/cannabis.”
The lawsuit seeks to have the department’s rejection declared unconstitutional.