Declining a tenant for a reference saying he is a "pot head"

[Christa P.]

Advice on how to handle this decline letter?  His credit is average.  Looks like he is behind on his student loans.  Otherwise everything is current.  He and co-tenant/roommate meet income limits easily.  I found out from a mutual Facebook "friend" that he is a "pot head."  How would you guys handle it?

[Jeff Rabinowitz]

If you select another tenant all you need say is that you chose a tenant who was better qualified. You can use any legal criteria you wish as long as you apply them uniformly and do not discriminate against those in protected classes.