The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - Hempfest, an annual pro-marijuana event at Ohio State University, will go on this weekend as planned, a judge ruled Friday.

The event's organizers were notified Tuesday that the university was canceling the event, which draws thousands of people. University officials said organizers did not follow the rules and they were concerned about public safety. The festival's organizer, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, then asked U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley to overturn the decision.

Hempfest organizers said they were being unfairly targeted and that the university violated their First Amendment rights, and Marbley agreed.

"Not allowing Hempfest to occur deprives (the organizers) and the Hempfest speakers and attendees their freedoms of speech and assembly," he wrote in the decision. He disagreed with Ohio State's contention that the group's First Amendment rights could be protected by postponing the event.

Marbley also wrote that school officials clearly were aware the event was to take place and there was at least the possibility the group was the victim of "viewpoint discrimination."

University officials are disappointed by the decision, said William Hall, vice president of student affairs.

Those involved with the event hailed the ruling.

"The big news is that the student group sued the university in federal court and won," said Sean Luse, an event organizer.

Hempfest has been held on Ohio State's campus since 1996. The 12-hour event Saturday includes speakers, bands, literature tables and vendors.