State approves $600K marijuana T-shirt settlement

The Iowa Appeal Board on Monday approved a $598,208 payment for attorney fees and other litigation costs associated with Iowa State University’s unconstitutional crackdown on a pro-marijuana student group’s T-shirts.

The issue was sparked by the university’s actions in 2012 to T-shirts that included the ISU mascot and a marijuana leaf. Judges determined the school had violated the students’ free-speech rights.

The total cost of the fight exceeded $941,000 in direct costs. In addition to attorney fees, $75,000 was paid to plaintiffs and students Paul Gerlich and Erin Furleigh and $193,000 to their attorneys.

Also approved Monday: