RONALD SANTOS v. RENEE BAKER (2017)

MEMORANDUM*

Ronald Santos, a Nevada state prisoner, appeals pro se from the district court's judgment dismissing his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging due process and equal protection claims. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo a dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. Hamilton v. Brown, 630 F.3d 889, 892 (9th Cir. 2011). We affirm.

The district court properly dismissed Santos's equal protection claim set forth in Count II because Santos failed to allege facts sufficient to show that he was treated differently from similarly situated individuals, or discriminated against based on his membership in a protected class without rational basis. See Vill. of Willowbrook v. Olech, 528 U.S. 562, 564 (2000) (elements of an equal protection “class of one” claim); Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194-95 (9th Cir. 1998) (elements of a § 1983 equal protection claim); see also Cousins v. Lockyer, 568 F.3d 1063, 1070 (9th Cir. 2009) (failure to follow internal state prison policies does not rise to the level of a federal constitutional violation).

The district court properly dismissed Santos's equal protection claim challenging the ban on the use of tobacco products set forth in Count III because Santos failed to allege facts sufficient to show that he is a member of a suspect class, that tobacco use is a fundamental right, or that the ban does not bear a rational relation to legitimate governmental objectives. See Webber v. Crabtree, 158 F.3d 460, 461 (9th Cir. 1998) (discussing equal protection claim based on smoking ban).

The district court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing without leave to amend Santos's due process claim set forth in Count I because amendment would be futile. United States v. Corinthian Colleges, 655 F.3d 984, 995 (9th Cir. 2011) (setting forth standard of review and explaining that leave to amend may be denied if amendment would be futile).

We do not consider matters not specifically and distinctly raised and argued in the opening brief, or arguments and allegations raised for the first time on appeal. See Padgett v. Wright, 587 F.3d 983, 985 n.2 (9th Cir. 2009).

Santos's requests, set forth in his reply brief, are denied.

AFFIRMED.