After four years of legal battle, The Eighth District Court of Appeals upheld a district court ruling that Iowa State had violated the First Amendment rights of the campus’ chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana laws won (NORML).

Here’s how dispute played out: 

Oct. 2012: Complaints arose after a member of NORML was featured in a Des Moines Register photo wearing a NORML t-shirt featuring a marijuana leaf and Cy.

Jan. 2013: The Iowa State Trademark Licensing Office revises guidelines to prohibit “dangerous, illegal or unhealthy products.” 

July 2014: Paul Gerlich and Erin Furleigh, president and vice president of NORML ISU, filed a suit in the U.S. District Court for the Souther District of Iowa against against President Steven Leath; Leesha Zimmerman, trademark office program coordinator; Tom Hill, senior vice president for student affairs; and Warren Madden, senior vice president for business and finance, for violating their first amendment rights. 

Nov. 2015: Iowa State files a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

Jan. 2015: A federal judge denies the universities motion to dismiss.

Jan. 2016: U.S. District Judge James Gritzner rules in favor of NORML, restricting Iowa State from enforcing trademark policies against NORML.

Feb. 2016: Iowa State appeals the ruling, the case moves to the Eighth District Court of Appeals. 

Feb. 2017: The Eight District Court of Appeals upholds the district court’s ruling that Iowa State University violated the student’s First Amendment rights.