eisenstadt baird argued decided march appellee attacks conviction violating massachusetts law giving woman contraceptive foam close lecture students contraception law makes felony anyone give away drug medicine instrument article prevention conception except case registered physician administering prescribing married person active registered pharmacist furnishing married person presenting registered physician prescription district dismissed appellee petition writ habeas corpus appeals vacated dismissal holding statute prohibition contraception per se conflicts fundamental human rights griswold connecticut appellant inter alia argues appellee lacks standing assert rights unmarried persons denied access contraceptives neither authorized distributor statute single person unable obtain contraceptives held appeals held statute appellee convicted health measure appellee may prevented authorized distributor attacking statute alleged discriminatory application potential distributees appellee furthermore standing assert rights unmarried persons denied access contraceptives ability obtain materially impaired enforcement statute cf griswold supra barrows jackson pp providing dissimilar treatment married unmarried persons similarly situated statute violates equal protection clause fourteenth amendment pp deterrence fornication misdemeanor massachusetts law reasonably regarded purpose statute since statute riddled exceptions making contraceptives freely available use premarital sexual relations scope penalty structure inconsistent purpose pp similarly protection public health regulation distribution potentially harmful articles reasonably regarded purpose law since health rationale statute discriminatory overbroad federal state laws already regulate distribution drugs unsafe use except supervision licensed physician pp statute sustained simply prohibition contraception per se whatever rights individual access contraceptives may rights must unmarried married alike griswold supra distribution contraceptives married persons prohibited ban distribution unmarried persons equally impermissible since constitutionally protected right privacy inheres individual marital couple hand griswold bar prohibition distribution contraceptives prohibition limited unmarried persons underinclusive invidiously discriminatory pp brennan delivered opinion douglas stewart marshall joined douglas filed concurring opinion post white filed opinion concurring result blackmun joined post burger filed dissenting opinion post powell rehnquist took part consideration decision case joseph nolan special assistant attorney general massachusetts argued cause appellant brief robert quinn attorney general john irwin ruth abrams assistant attorneys general garrett byrne joseph tydings argued cause appellee briefs joseph balliro briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed harriet pilpel nancy wechsler planned parenthood federation america roger stokey planned parenthood league massachusetts melvin wulf american civil liberties union et al sylvia ellison human rights women justice brennan delivered opinion appellee william baird convicted bench trial massachusetts superior massachusetts general laws first exhibiting contraceptive articles course delivering lecture contraception group students boston university second giving young woman package emko vaginal foam close address massachusetts judicial unanimously set aside conviction exhibiting contraceptives ground violated baird first amendment rights vote sustained conviction giving away foam commonwealth baird mass baird subsequently filed petition federal writ habeas corpus district dismissed supp appeal however appeals first circuit vacated dismissal remanded action directions grant writ discharging baird appeal sheriff suffolk county massachusetts followed noted probable jurisdiction affirm massachusetts general laws baird convicted provides maximum term imprisonment whoever gives away drug medicine instrument article whatever prevention conception except authorized registered physician may administer prescribe married person drugs articles intended prevention pregnancy conception registered pharmacist actually engaged business pharmacy may furnish drugs articles married person presenting prescription registered physician interpreted state judicial provisions make felony anyone registered physician pharmacist acting accordance terms dispense article intention used prevention conception statutory scheme distinguishes among three distinct classes distributees first married persons may obtain contraceptives prevent pregnancy doctors druggists prescription second single persons may obtain contraceptives anyone prevent pregnancy third married single persons may obtain contraceptives anyone prevent pregnancy spread disease construction state law course binding us groppi wisconsin legislative purposes statute meant serve altogether clear commonwealth baird supra judicial noted state interest protecting health citizens prohibition declared directly related state goal preventing distribution articles designed prevent conception may undesirable dangerous physical consequences subsequent decision sturgis attorney general mass however found second compelling ground upholding statute namely protect morals regulating private sexual lives single persons appeals reasons appear consider promotion health protection morals deterrence fornication legislative aim instead concluded statutory goal limit contraception purpose held conflicted fundamental human rights griswold connecticut struck connecticut prohibition use contraceptives unconstitutional infringement right marital privacy agree goals deterring premarital sex regulating distribution potentially harmful articles reasonably regarded legislative aims hold statute viewed prohibition contraception per se violates rights single persons equal protection clause fourteenth amendment address outset appellant contention baird standing assert rights unmarried persons denied access contraceptives neither authorized distributor single person unable obtain contraceptives question course baird sufficient interest challenging statute validity satisfy case controversy requirement article iii constitution appellant argument however case governed rules restraint first one application statute constitutional heard attack statute ground impliedly might also taken applying persons situations application might unconstitutional raines second closely related corollary litigant may assert constitutional rights immunities appellant contends baird conviction rests restriction permissible distributors restriction serves valid health interest independent limitation authorized distributees appellant urges therefore baird action giving away foam fell squarely within conduct legislature meant power prohibit baird allowed attack statute application potential recipients event appellant concludes since baird single person denied access contraceptives heard assert rights agree appeals held statute baird convicted health measure view correct see baird may prevented neither doctor druggist attacking statute alleged discriminatory application potential distributees think rule assertion rights must relaxed case griswold connecticut supra executive director planned parenthood league connecticut licensed physician prescribed contraceptives married persons convicted accessories crime using contraceptives held standing raise constitutional rights patients professional relationship appellant argues absence professional relationship distinguishes case griswold yet discussion prior authority griswold indicates relationships circumstances one person found standing assert rights another indeed barrows jackson seller land entitled defend action damages breach racially restrictive covenant ground enforcement covenant violated equal protection rights prospective purchasers relationship defendant whose rights sought assert simply fortuitous connection vendor potential vendees relationship one acted protect rights minority minority sedler standing assert constitutional jus tertii yale relationship baird whose rights seeks assert simply distributor potential distributees advocate rights persons obtain contraceptives desirous point baird giving away vaginal foam challenge massachusetts statute limited access contraceptives event important nature relationship litigant whose rights seeks assert impact litigation interests griswold stated rights husband wife pressed likely diluted adversely affected unless rights considered suit involving kind confidential relation similar situation obtains enforcement massachusetts statute materially impair ability single persons obtain contraceptives fact case according standing assert rights stronger regard griswold unmarried persons denied access contraceptives massachusetts unlike users contraceptives connecticut subject prosecution extent denied forum assert rights cf naacp alabama barrows jackson supra massachusetts statute unlike connecticut law considered griswold prohibits use distribution foregoing reasons hold baird position plainly adequate incentive assert rights unmarried persons denied access contraceptives standing turn merits ii basic principles governing application equal protection clause fourteenth amendment familiar chief justice recently explained reed reed applying clause consistently recognized fourteenth amendment deny power treat different classes persons different ways barbier connolly lindsley natural carbonic gas railway express agency new york mcdonald board election commissioners equal protection clause amendment however deny power legislate different treatment accorded persons placed statute different classes basis criteria wholly unrelated objective statute classification must reasonable arbitrary must rest upon ground difference fair substantial relation object legislation persons similarly circumstanced shall treated alike royster guano virginia first section stems mass stat prohibited without exception distribution articles intended used contraceptives commonwealth allison mass massachusetts judicial explained law plain purpose protect purity preserve chastity encourage continence self restraint defend sanctity home thus engender state nation virile virtuous race men women although state clearly abandoned purpose enactment least insofar illicit sexual activities married persons concerned see supra reiterated sturgis attorney general supra object legislation discourage premarital sexual intercourse conceding state consistently equal protection clause regard problems extramarital premarital sexual relations vils different dimensions proportions requiring different remedies williamson lee optical agree deterrence premarital sex may reasonably regarded purpose massachusetts law plainly unreasonable assume massachusetts prescribed pregnancy birth unwanted child punishment fornication misdemeanor massachusetts general laws aside scheme values assumption attribute state abundantly clear effect ban distribution contraceptives unmarried persons best marginal relation proffered objective justice goldberg said griswold connecticut supra concurring opinion concerning effect connecticut prohibition use contraceptives discouraging extramarital sexual relations equally applicable rationality justification dubious particularly light admitted widespread availability persons state connecticut unmarried well married devices prevention disease distinguished prevention conception see also white concurring judgment like connecticut laws regulate distribution contraceptives used prevent pregnancy spread disease commonwealth corbett mass cited approval commonwealth baird making contraceptives available married persons without regard intended use massachusetts attempt deter married persons engaging illicit sexual relations unmarried persons even assumption fear pregnancy operates deterrent fornication massachusetts statute thus riddled exceptions deterrence premarital sex reasonably regarded aim moreover face dubious relation state criminal prohibition fornication appeals explained fornication misdemeanor massachusetts entailing thirty dollar fine three months jail massachusetts general laws ann violation present statute felony punishable five years prison find hard believe legislature adopted statute carrying penalty possible obviously means fully effective deterrence commission misdemeanor even conceding legislature full measure discretion fashioning means prevent fornication recognizing state may seek deter prohibited conduct punishing severely facilitate actually engage commission like appeals believe instance massachusetts chosen expose aider abetter simply gives away contraceptive times sentence offender terms state criminal statutes coupled de minimis effect deterring fornication thus compel conclusion deterrence reasonably taken purpose ban distribution contraceptives unmarried persons second section added massachusetts general laws stat judicial commonwealth baird supra held purpose amendment serve health needs community regulating distribution potentially harmful articles plain massachusetts purpose mind enactment appeals remarked consistent fact statute contained chapter dealing crimes chastity morality decency good order cast terms morals physician forbidden prescribe contraceptives even needed protection health commonwealth gardner mass appeals believe legislature enacting suddenly reversed field developed interest health rather merely made thought precise accommodation necessary escape griswold ruling ibid must agree appeals health rationale statute discriminatory overbroad dissenting commonwealth baird justices whittemore cutter stated saw read together public health purpose need physician prescribe pharmacist dispense contraceptives need great unmarried persons married persons appeals added prohibition distribution unmarried persons taken mean physician prescribe married patients sufficient skill protect health patients lack marriage certificate may currently divorced illogical point irrationality furthermore must join appeals noting contraceptives potentially dangerous result massachusetts statute health measure invidiously discriminate unmarried also overbroad respect married fact judicial seems conceded sturgis attorney general noted may well certain contraceptive medication devices constitute hazard health event argued statute swept broadly prohibition posture appeals concluded impossible think statute intended health measure unmarried almost difficult think intended even married proof massachusetts statute health measure necessary argument justice spiegel also dissented commonwealth baird conclusive best strained conception say legislature intended prevent distribution articles may undesirable dangerous physical consequences legislature goal required view federal state laws already regulating distribution harmful drugs see federal food drug cosmetic act stat amended mass laws amended conclude accordingly despite statute superficial earmarks health measure health face statute may reasonably regarded purpose deterrence premarital sexual relations third massachusetts statute upheld deterrent fornication health measure may nevertheless sustained simply prohibition contraception appeals analysis led inevitably conclusion far morals concerned contraceptives per se considered immoral extent griswold permit declaration appeals went hold say contraceptives immoral forbidden unmarried persons nevertheless persist intercourse means persons must risk unwanted pregnancy child illegitimacy society possible obligation support view morality mirror image sensible legislation consider conflicts fundamental human rights absence demonstrated harm hold beyond competency state griswold distribution contraceptives married persons prohibited ban distribution unmarried persons equally impermissible true griswold right privacy question inhered marital relationship yet marital couple independent entity mind heart association two individuals separate intellectual emotional makeup right privacy means anything right individual married single free unwarranted governmental intrusion matters fundamentally affecting person decision whether bear beget child see stanley georgia see also skinner oklahoma jacobson massachusetts hand griswold bar prohibition distribution contraceptives state consistently equal protection clause outlaw distribution unmarried married persons case evil perceived state identical underinclusion invidious justice jackson concurring railway express agency new york made point framers constitution knew forget today effective practical guaranty arbitrary unreasonable government require principles law officials impose upon minority must imposed generally conversely nothing opens door arbitrary action effectively allow officials pick choose apply legislation thus escape political retribution might visited upon larger numbers affected courts take better measure assure laws require laws equal operation affirmed footnotes section provides full except provided section whoever sells lends gives away exhibits offers sell lend give away instrument article intended used drug medicine instrument article whatever prevention conception causing unlawful abortion advertises writes prints causes written printed card circular book pamphlet advertisement notice kind stating means article purchased obtained manufactures makes article shall punished imprisonment state prison five years jail house correction two one half years fine less one hundred one thousand dollars registered physician may administer prescribe married person drugs articles intended prevention pregnancy conception registered pharmacist actually engaged business pharmacy may furnish drugs articles married person presenting prescription registered physician public health agency registered nurse maternity health clinic operated accredited hospital may furnish information married person professional advice regarding drugs articles may lawfully obtained section shall construed affecting provisions sections twenty relative prohibition advertising drugs articles intended prevention pregnancy conception shall section construed permit sale dispensing drugs articles means vending machine similar device appellant suggests purpose massachusetts statute promote marital fidelity well discourage premarital sex however contraceptives may made available married persons without regard whether living spouses uses contraceptives put plainly legislation deterrent effect extramarital sexual relations factor decisively distinguishes tileston ullman held physician lacked standing bring action declaratory relief challenge behalf patients connecticut law prohibiting use contraceptives patients fully able bring action underlying decision concern standards case controversy article iii constitution become blurred griswold connecticut problem involved case indeed first amendment cases relaxed rules standing without regard relationship litigant whose rights seeks assert precisely application rules intolerable inhibitory effect freedom speech thornhill alabama see raines see also prince massachusetts custodian violation state law furnished child magazines distribute streets implicitly held custodian standing assert alleged freedom religion equal protection rights child threatened litigation child effective way asserting course conclude massachusetts statute impinges upon fundamental freedoms griswold statutory classification merely rationally related valid public purpose necessary achievement compelling state interest shapiro thompson loving virginia reed reed address statute validity test law fails satisfy even lenient equal protection standard appellant insists unmarried right engage sexual intercourse hence health interest contraception needs served short answer contention devices distribution state purports regulate asserted purpose forestall pregnancy available without controls whatsoever long asserted purpose prevent spread disease inconceivable need health controls varies purpose contraceptive used physical act cases one appeals stated must take notice contraceptive devices risk undesirable dangerous physical consequences years since casanova recorded ubiquitous article perhaps birthplace inventor termed redingote anglais reputed nationality condom changed never heard criticism side health think legislature unaware thought needed medical prescription believe said certain products stanley stated lso fundamental right free except limited circumstances unwanted governmental intrusions one privacy makers constitution undertook secure conditions favorable pursuit happiness recognized significance man spiritual nature feelings intellect knew part pain pleasure satisfactions life found material things sought protect americans beliefs thoughts emotions sensations conferred government right let alone comprehensive rights right valued civilized man olmstead brandeis dissenting see griswold connecticut supra cf naacp alabama mr join opinion narrower ground affirming appeals simple first amendment case amendment applicable reason fourteenth stromberg california stretch law presently stated massachusetts require license desire lecture planned parenthood contraceptives rights women birth control allied subject place tax privilege license taxes first amendment rights said murdock pennsylvania license tax certainly acquire constitutional validity classifies privileges protected first amendment along wares merchandise hucksters peddlers treats alike equality treatment save ordinance freedom press freedom speech freedom religion preferred position matter principle requirement registration order make public speech seem generally incompatible exercise rights free speech free assembly lawful public assemblies involving element grave immediate danger interest state entitled protect instruments harm require previous identification speakers right either workmen unions conditions assemble discuss affairs fully protected constitution right businessmen farmers educators political party members others assemble discuss affairs enlist support others one solicits support cause labor may required register condition exercise right make public speech may seeks rally support social business religious political cause think requirement one must register undertakes make public speech enlist support lawful movement quite incompatible requirements first amendment baird given away sample one devices whose use advocated question protection afforded first amendment state may contract spectrum available knowledge griswold connecticut see also thomas collins supra pierce society sisters meyer nebraska however noxious baird ideas might authorities freedom learn fully comprehend scope portent weigh tenets conventional wisdom may abridged terminiello chicago system government requires faith ability individual decide wisely fully apprised merits controversy freedom discussion fulfill historic function nation must embrace issues information needed appropriate enable members society cope exigencies period thornhill alabama milton said areopagitica give liberty know utter argue freely according conscience liberties said baird conduct involved cited case involved registrant selective service act burning selective service draft card prosecuted act defended conduct symbolic speech held whatever may thought decision merits controlling distinction speech conduct valid one insofar helps determine particular case whether purpose activity aid communication ideas whether form communication interferes rights others reasonable regulations may imposed see public utilities pollak douglas dissenting thus excessive noise might well conduct form pollution made subject precise narrowly drawn regulations see adderley florida douglas dissenting repeatedly stated first amendment rights confined verbal expression embrace appropriate types action brown louisiana baird gave hour lecture birth control aid understanding ideas propagating handed one sample one devices whose use endorsing person giving lecture certainly improve teaching technique passed one audience protected unless course device loaded ready explode killing injuring people holds true mind mousetraps spray guns article dangerous per se speakers give educational lectures irrelevant application principles baird went beyond giving information birth control advocated use contraceptive articles first amendment protects opportunity persuade action whether action unwise immoral whether speech incites action see brandenburg ohio edwards south carolina terminiello chicago supra case even incitement action evidence finding baird intended young lady take foam home handed examined article returned baird placed arrest immediately upon handing article first amendment rights limited verbal expression right petition often involves right walk right assembly may mean pushing jostling picketing involves physical activity well display sign quiet dignified protest first amendment protection even though speech involved held brown louisiana supra putting contraceptives display certainly aid speech discussion handing article discussion member audience technique known teachers commonly used handout may scale smack vendor marketing scheme passing one article audience merely projection visual aid permissible adjunct free speech baird making prescription purporting give medical advice handing article even suggestion lady use suggested become familiar product line see society dialogue first amendment envisages teaching techniques barred give educational lectures earlier expressed reasons believing decision consistent first amendment rights see brandenburg ohio concurring opinion giboney empire storage upheld state injunction peaceful picketing carried violation state law giboney however easily distinguished present case circumstances present clear danger imminent immediate unless restrained appellants succeed making state antitrust policy dead letter exercising economic power together allies compel empire abide union rather state regulation trade omitted emphasis supplied coercion instant case similar frustration state policy see text infra analysis state policies underlying massachusetts statute baird convicted violated see dienes progeny comstockery birth control laws return rev even restrictive meaning given first amendment applied fourteenth advocacy law violation permissible except advocacy directed inciting producing imminent lawless action likely incite produce action brandenburg ohio supra factor alone seem distinguish supra case turned judgment conduct frustrated substantial governmental interest partial collection cases involving action comes first amendment protection see brandenburg ohio supra concurring opinion justice white justice blackmun joins concurring result griswold connecticut reversed criminal convictions advising married persons respect use contraceptives applied connecticut law forbade using contraceptives giving advice subject unduly invaded zone marital privacy protected bill rights connecticut law regulate manufacture sale products expressly left open question concerning permissible scope legislation chapter massachusetts general laws makes criminal offense distribute sell give away drug medicine article prevention conception section excepts prohibition registered physicians prescribe administer articles married persons registered pharmacists dispense medical prescription appellee baird indicted giving away emko vaginal foam medicine article prevention conception state purport charge convict baird distributing unmarried person proof offered marital status recipient gravamen offense charged baird license therefore authority distribute anyone judicial massachusetts noted constitutional validity baird conviction rested upon lack status distributor marital status recipient commonwealth baird mass federal district view assume state interest health citizens empowers restrict medical channels distribution products whose use accompanied medical advice also doubt various contraceptive medicines articles properly available prescription therefore difficulty massachusetts characterization statute issue expressing legitimate interest preventing distribution articles designed prevent conception may undesirable dangerous physical consequences baird distributed supply pill sustain conviction statute requiring prescription obtain potentially dangerous contraceptive material may place substantial burden upon right recognized griswold burden justified strong state interest statute issue griswold sweep unnecessarily broadly seek achieve goals means maximum destructive impact upon protected relationship griswold connecticut baird however found guilty giving away vaginal foam inquiry validity conviction come end merely contraceptives harmful distribution may restricted general reluctance question state judgment matters public health must give way restriction issue burdens constitutional rights married persons use contraceptives circumstances may accept faith state classification particular contraceptive dangerous health due regard protecting constitutional rights requires record contain evidence restriction distribution vaginal foam essential achieve statutory purpose relevant facts concerning product must fall within range judicial notice neither requirement met nothing record even suggests distribution vaginal foam accompanied medical advice order protect user health opinion massachusetts state brief filed marshal facts demonstrating hazards using vaginal foam common knowledge incontrovertible may noticed judicially contrary state acknowledges emko product widely available without prescription given griswold connecticut supra absent proof probable hazards using vaginal foam sustain appellee conviction selling giving away foam married person griswold right married persons use contraceptives diluted adversely affected permitting conviction giving advice exercise sanction medical restriction upon distribution contraceptive proved hazardous health impair exercise constitutional right baird convicted distributing emko married person disposes case assuming arguendo result otherwise recipient unmarried nothing placed record indicate marital status state maintained marital status irrelevant unlicensed person legally dispense vaginal foam either married unmarried persons approach plainly erroneous requires reversal baird conviction facts case deprives us knowing whether baird fact convicted making constitutionally protected distribution emko married person principle established stromberg california consistently adhered conviction stand record fail prove conviction founded upon theory constitutionally support verdict street new york uphold conviction even though know rest invalid constitutional ground countenance procedure cause serious impairment constitutional rights williams north carolina case disposed basis settled constitutional doctrine perceive reason reaching novel constitutional question whether state may restrict forbid distribution contraceptives unmarried cf ashwander tennessee valley authority brandeis concurring section provides follows except provided section whoever sells lends gives away exhibits offers sell lend give away instrument article intended used drug medicine instrument article whatever prevention conception causing unlawful abortion advertises writes prints causes written printed card circular book pamphlet advertisement notice kind stating means article purchased obtained manufactures makes article shall punished imprisonment state prison five years jail house correction two one half years fine less one hundred one thousand dollars registered physician may administer prescribe married person drugs articles intended prevention pregnancy conception registered pharmacist actually engaged business pharmacy may furnish drugs articles married person presenting prescription registered physician public health agency registered nurse maternity health clinic operated accredited hospital may furnish information married person professional advice regarding drugs articles may lawfully obtained section shall construed affecting provisions sections twenty relative prohibition advertising drugs articles intended prevention pregnancy conception shall section construed permit sale dispensing drugs articles means vending machine similar device indictment jurors commonwealth massachusetts oath present william baird sixth day april year lord one thousand nine hundred unlawfully give away certain medicine article prevention conception wit emko vaginal foam giving away said medicine article said william baird accordance authorized permitted provisions section chapter general laws said commonwealth authorized registered physicians administer prescribe contraceptives unmarried well married persons legal position petitioner way altered physician still prohibited giving away contraceptive supp mass food drug administration made finding birth control pills pose possible hazards health therefore restricts distribution receipt products interstate commerce properly labeled packages must sold pursuant prescription cfr violation law punishable imprisonment one year fine chief justice burger dissenting judgment judicial massachusetts sustaining appellee conviction dispensing medicinal material without license seems eminently correct disturb undisputed appellee physician pharmacist prohibited massachusetts law dispensing contraceptives anyone regardless marital status mind validity restriction dispensing medicinal substances issue appellee standing challenge part statute restricting persons contraceptives available need labor point however everyone seems agree massachusetts validly required health measure contraceptives dispensed physician pursuant physician prescription statutory distinction based marital status bearing case raines opinion today brushes aside appellee status unlicensed layman concluding massachusetts legislature really concerned protection health passed statute justice white acknowledges statutory concern protection health finds restriction distributors overly broad state failed adduce facts showing health hazards particular substance dispensed appellee distinguished contraceptives justice douglas concurring opinion directly challenge power massachusetts prohibit laymen dispensing contraceptives considers appellee rather dispensing substance resorting teaching technique utilizing visual aid adjunct protected speech puzzled third characterization case suggestion appellee merely displaying contraceptive material without relinquishing ownership argument must prosecution failed prove appellee given away contraceptive material appellee challenge sufficiency evidence summarizes record showing close lecture invited members audience come help hand concurring opinion means first amendment protects distribution articles dangerous per se distribution coupled form speech must confess misread certain cases area see cox louisiana giboney empire storage disagreement opinion justice white goes far beyond mere puzzlement however opinions seriously invade constitutional prerogatives regrettably hark back heyday substantive due process affirming appellee conviction highest tribunal massachusetts held statutory requirement contraceptives dispensed medical channels served legitimate interest state protecting health citizens today blithely hurdles authoritative state pronouncement concludes statute purpose three basic arguments advanced first since distribution contraceptives prohibited moral matter massachusetts prior impossible believe legislature concerned health lifted complete ban insisted medical supervision fail see historical predominance unacceptable legislative purpose makes incredible emergence new valid one see mcgowan maryland second argument finding origin dissenting opinion judicial massachusetts rejects health purpose need physician prescribe contraceptives need great unmarried persons married persons mass argument confuses validity restriction distributors validity restriction distributees part statute properly assuming legislature broadly restricted class persons obtain contraceptives hardly follows saw need protect health persons made available third sees health purpose underlying restriction distributors state federal laws regulate distribution harmful drugs know rule enactments relating particular purpose must neatly consolidated one package statute books code pass muster unable draw inference legislative purpose fact restriction dispensing contraceptives codified statutory provisions regulating distribution medicinal substances existence nonconflicting federal laws simply without significance judging validity purpose state law subject matter possible course members massachusetts legislature desired contraceptives dispensed medical channels order minimize use rather protect health users think proper function dismiss dubious state explication state statute absent overwhelming irrefutable reasons justice white acknowledging valid legislative purpose protecting health concludes state lacks power regulate distribution contraceptive involved case means protecting health opinion grants appellee conviction valid given away potentially harmful substance rejects state placing particular contraceptive category far aware never challenged police power state protect public risks possibly spurious deleterious substances sold within borders moreover statutory classification invalid simply innocent articles transactions may found within proscribed class inquiry must whether considering end view statute passes bounds reason assumes character merely arbitrary fiat purity extract tonic lynch since potential harmfulness particular medicinal substance never placed issue state federal courts state hardly faulted failure build record point totally mystifies absence evidence record factual underpinnings statutory classification must incontrovertible matter common knowledge actual hazards introducing particular foreign substance human body frequently controverted believe unanimity expert opinion prerequisite state exercise police power matter subject matter regulation even assuming present dispute among medical authorities ignore become commonplace drug food additive universally regarded harmless one day condemned perilous next inappropriate overrule legislative classification relying present consensus among leading authorities commands constitution fluctuate shifting tides scientific opinion even conclusively established product dispensed appellee actually potentially dangerous somatic sense still unable agree restriction dispensing falls outside state power regulate area health choice means birth control although highly personal matter also health matter real sense see nothing arbitrary requirement medical supervision generally acknowledged contraceptives vary degree effectiveness potential harmfulness may compelling health reasons certain women choose effective means birth control available matter harmless less effective alternatives others might advised use highly effective means contraception peculiar susceptibility adverse side effect moreover may information known medical profession particular brand contraceptive preferred avoided adequately tested nonetheless concurring opinion hold constitutional matter state must allow someone without medical training power distribute medicinal substance enjoyed physician revealing think portions majority concurring opinions rejecting statutory limitation distributors rely particular provision constitution see nothing fourteenth amendment part constitution even vaguely suggests medicinal forms contraceptives must available open market challenge griswold connecticut supra despite tenuous moorings text constitution view controlling authority case confronted statute flatly prohibiting use contraceptives one regulating distribution simply believe limitation class lawful distributors significantly impaired right use contraceptives massachusetts relying griswold present context passed beyond penumbras specific guarantees uncircumscribed area personal predilections need dissemination information birth control impinged slightest limiting distribution medicinal substances medical pharmaceutical channels massachusetts done statute appellee succeeded seems cloaking activities new permutation first amendment although conviction rests fact law dispensing medicinal substance without license constrained suggest constitution strained invalidate massachusetts statute underlying appellee conviction quite well employ protection curbstone quack reminiscent medicine man times past attracted crowd curious soapbox lecture plied free samples unproved remedy massachusetts presumably outlawed activities long ago today holding seems invite return places reliance opinion judicial massachusetts sturgis attorney general mass show intended regulate morals rather public health sturgis state rejected challenge group physicians part statute prohibiting distribution contraceptives unmarried women accepted state interest regulating private sexual lives single persons interest expressed restriction distributees purpose restriction distributors issue opinion passing restriction distributors fact intended health measure overly broad since develop argument detail response addressed solely reasoning opinion justice white concurring result general discussions need medical supervision choosing means birth control see manual family planning contraceptive practice calderone ed advanced concepts contraception hoffman kleinman ed see commission population growth american future population american future pt ii pp mar manual family planning supra jaffe toward reduction unwanted pregnancy science hardin birth control havemann birth control contraceptive substance dispensed appellee vaginal foam thought effective see jaffe supra dingle tietze comparative study three contraceptive methods amer obst gyn birth control pill contrast thought better effective see havemann birth control supra see perkin assessment reproductive risk nonpregnant women guide establishing priorities contraceptive care amer obst gyn see manual family planning supra