Hash Bash 2013: Lineup announced for 42nd annual rally for marijuana reform in Ann Arbor
Organizers of the 42nd annual Hash Bash in Ann Arbor have announced the lineup for this year's rally for marijuana reform on the University of Michigan Diag.
A scene from last year's Hash Bash rally on the Diag.
Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com
Irwin has attracted statewide attention recently for his push to end the debate over medical marijuana in Michigan by decriminalizing cannabis in the state.
Briere has worked closely over the past few years to help craft a set of local regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries operating in Ann Arbor.
The Hash Bash rally on the Diag takes place from noon to 1:30 p.m. April 6, after which ralliers are likely to go over to the 12th annual Monroe Street Fair.
This year's headliner is Mason Tvert, co-director of the 2012 campaign to legalize marijuana in Colorado, communications director at the Marijuana Policy Project and author of "Marijuana is Safer."
Joining him will be "growing expert" and author Ed Rosenthal, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws founder and attorney Keith Stroup, and DJ Short.
DJ Short has been breeding marijuana strains for 40 years and has been called the Willy Wonka of marijuana breeding. He's said to have attended Hash Bash in 1973.
Rosenthal is the author of the "Marijuana Grower's Handbook." He also is on the faculty of Oaksterdam University, the leading trade school for the cannabis industry.
Other speakers expected to address the crowd include statewide reform leaders and representatives from Americans For Safe Access, Michigan NORML, Michigan Moms United, Michigan HEMP, Students For Sensible Drug Policy and the Ann Arbor Medical Cannabis Guild.
Hash Bash organizer and Michigan Moms United founder Charmie Gholson said she's confident attendance will be high for this year's rally. Thousands attend every year.
"Clearly, we're finally seeing an end to the longest-running civil war our country has seen," Gholson said of the significance of this year's rally. "Last November, not only did Colorado and Washington states fully legalize marijuana, but here in Michigan, five cities easily passed marijuana reform measures. Even the legislators are coming out to speak out against this unjust war."
- Read about the history of Hash Bash in Ann Arbor
- Read what police have to say about Hash Bash
- Read coverage of last year's Hash Bash
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
Messa
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 : 6:10 p.m.
Yeaa, it's here !! Go and sign lots and lots of petitions.
martini man
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 9:50 p.m.
I am all for marijuana law reform . Maybe "Heiftje's Lefties" on the city council should smoke some before the meetings . They can't get much goofier than they already are. Oh wait ..maybe that's the problem in the first place , rather than the solution. Just speculation folks, not an accusation.
David Briegel
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 10:39 p.m.
Have another martini!
jcj
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 4:12 p.m.
By all means leave the hash bash info at the top of the page until April 6th. It is SO important! If you work it right you can get 6 more stories out of it.
Michael Harmon
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 6:51 a.m.
Need a Caregiver? HTTP://SCRIP.ME MEDICINAL-EXCHANGE. The Direct Source for Pre·scrip·tion Care. Our mission is to make the marijuana exchange process safer and more transparent for both patients and caregivers in accordance with state law.
mady
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:27 p.m.
yep, just what Big Pharma wants...
NewStart
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:31 p.m.
Sorry, I can't make it this year...I truly wish all activists, freedom fighters and participants well^^^^^ ! Peace!
NewStart
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:08 p.m.
Just a bunch of "Medical Marijuana" yang now.... ...............Not the Party it used to be..... ^^^^^^^let's become a legal state already!
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:03 p.m.
I'm told the National Patients Rights Association also is on the list of organizations that will be represented at the rally.
Stewart G. Griffin
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:03 p.m.
I'll be down there selling bags of Doritos for $20/bag and year old Twinkies and Ho-Ho's for $30 each!
matlangphil
Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 10:18 a.m.
you could probably sell uncooked bacon for $2 a strip at the Hash Bash and still make a profit
mady
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
hey Stewie, they may be stoners, but they're hardly stupid!
Greg
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:56 p.m.
The citizens of the US have spent hundreds of billions of dollars on the "war on drugs and there are more available in more places that back when we started this war. We are not winning this war, have spent money that could have been spent constructively and have made thousands criminals for life. What a system???
David Briegel
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:55 p.m.
Ryan, since anyone can grow it, it would be difficult or futile to tax. I think it is time for conservatives and libertarians to join those of us who see the abject failure of the current laws and drug war. The costs are astounding, especially the lack of respect for law enforcement this silliness has engendered. Decriminalize and Free The Weed!
harry b
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:49 p.m.
So much time, effort and money just to get high. Just think if they put all of this time and money to St. Judes or some other charity.
sh1
Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 7:33 p.m.
I think the same thing every time I see someone going to church.
mady
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:26 p.m.
harryb, as I made clear in my response to you, not everyone does it "just to get high." there are legitimate medical reasons also, but believe what you want and don't let the facts confuse you!
NewStart
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:10 p.m.
Harry....I am guessing you are a republican.
Angry Moderate
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 6:38 p.m.
The police and courts waste millions of hours and billions of dollars harassing potheads every year, and you're worried about the 6 hours people spend at Hash Bash? Surely you don't watch TV because you spend all of your time volunteering, right?
John
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 5:01 p.m.
You are free to volunteer for what ever charity you feel is worthy. No one is stopping you.
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:40 p.m.
In case anyone is curious, Rep. Jeff Irwin says he sees a distinction between legalization and decriminalization and he agrees that taxation of marijuana would be possible under legalization but not decriminalization. He says either option would be a big improvement over what he considers a failed war on drugs. What do you guys think? Should we decriminalize marijuana, which Irwin argues would cut law enforcement and judicial system costs by hundreds of millions of dollars, or should we legalize it and tax it? Or none of the above?
Hot Sam
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 3:07 a.m.
Any time you want more of something, just have the government start a "war" on it...drugs, poverty, illiteracy...the list goes on...
NewStart
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:13 p.m.
Legalize and tax.
sayzme
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:53 p.m.
Legalize and tax it! It would be huge influx of cash that could be put to good use in this state
Hmm
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 3:21 p.m.
Legalize it
harry b
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:50 p.m.
I agree. Its a lot easier looking for a job when you going up against pot heads.
Local Yocal
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 3:11 p.m.
I'll bet the local businesses love it. Lots of folks in town to spend money.
Billy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:29 p.m.
Just like art fair....I mean the employees usually hate it...cause they're the ones dealing with the rude out of town people...but the business owners absolutely LOVE it.
treetowncartel
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 3:03 p.m.
Ah, this got so commercialized in the late 80's, when they moved it from April 1 to the first Saturday of April.
Monroe Street Fair
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 2:23 p.m.
Ann Arbor.com must not have asked Charmie Gholson or visited the 12th Annual Ann Arbor Monroe Street Fair Hash Bash Festival website at www.monroestreetfair.com to know what time the Monroe Street Fair starts. They got it wrong. It's listed as following Hash Bash at 1:30. For clarification - THE SHOW/MUSIC starts at 12:00pm and goes til 6:00pm www.monroestreetfair.com
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:15 p.m.
This article was meant to preview Hash Bash, but I wanted to make sure I mentioned that ralliers can go over to the Monroe Street Fair afterward. There's a link in the story for everyone to go find out more about the fair and we will have a separate entertainment preview story of it later on so stay tuned!
Usual Suspect
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 2:02 p.m.
I wish this embarrassment would just go away.
mady
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:23 p.m.
like I said to gratefulreb, we're not going away. Deal with it!!
NewStart
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:19 p.m.
and I wish I could light up in my own back yard without the suito-professional Med. Marijuana process and card (which took half a year to obtain) in my pocket! Outright statewide legalization is right around the corner, friend, so maybe a red state is your best answer.
bobslowson
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:59 p.m.
@ harry....why would you care what other people put in their body? I thought your types were all about choice, get the government out of my life etc...but not when it comes to marijuana. Please explain
harry b
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:52 p.m.
Its just sad. So much wasted time trying to feel good. Fix your head and you won't seek to get high.
John
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:31 p.m.
Translation: I don't like it, so no one should enjoy it. It's the conservative way!
Homeland Conspiracy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 2:41 p.m.
Yeah I'm not a fan of St Patrick's day either...bunch of drunks, fighting & getting sick all over A2
bwp
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 1:42 p.m.
Fire it up! Right TDW .
mady
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
Free The Weed!!
mady
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:01 p.m.
@ harryb---I care. just because you have lived w/o it for the last 40 years(yippee for you), there are those of us who need it to have some quality of life. one of my adult daughters, for example, who after 4 back surgeries, needs this plant to manage the pain she has Each and Every Day.(see: hatchet stuck in your lower back!) please don't talk to me about pain med's, she has had every high-end pill that Big Pharma can throw at her and the only long-term result has been reduced efficacy, not to mention the potential for liver/kidney damage that has made it necessary for her to stop taking these pills. the only thing that has worked consistently for her in the last 7+ years is a hot shower and a joint. Who cares? I do!! if you don't that's your choice, but please keep your negativity to yourself! sign me, Madeleine Baier, an unapologetic mother who loves her children and hates to see them in pain!
harry b
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:53 p.m.
I have lived without it for 40 years. Who cares?
George K
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 1:16 p.m.
I can't make it this year, but I'll be giving you all my spirit fingers from abroad! We need to decriminalize!
G-Man
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 12:33 p.m.
What I want to know is "Where's the Hash"?
NewStart
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:22 p.m.
...at Harry B's party....lol^^^^^^^ :)
Billy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 5:09 p.m.
CO2 super-critical extraction is THE cat's meow right now... The taste and potency is just beyond EVERYTHING else.
dsponini
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:32 p.m.
I know someone who makes their own from the leaves they trim from their plants. It's pretty good too! But no gold stamp from Turkey like the kind we used to see in the 80's....
Hmm
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 3:25 p.m.
Bubble bags, ETOH, Isoprpyl, dry sifting.....
Homeland Conspiracy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 2:39 p.m.
Amsterdam
GoNavy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.
As much as I support the legalization of marijuana use and possession, Hash Bash is one of the worst things for the image of the drug out there. It certainly brings out the worst of this state's citizenry. It gives non-users the impression that if marijuana is legalized, this is what we can expect - a bunch of smelly hippies lighting up on the street in front of everybody. Think I'm over the top on this? Attend Hash Bash and come back with a straight face telling me that I'm wrong about the clientele the event attracts.
Mortimer
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:59 p.m.
*ambulance
Mortimer
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:58 p.m.
There are some that come and set a bad example. The problem is that they are the loudest and most obvious... Hash Bash can be a good time and it's for a great cause, but you don't have to use it as an opportunity to get as messed up as possible, scream about it then be taken out by bulance...
johnnya2
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 1:29 p.m.
Ridiculous conclusion. If it did not help it;s cause then why did Michigan pass legal marijuana? Oh that's right, because the people who organize things like Hash Bash pushed for it. The fact is, marijuana legalization is similar to marriage equality. Old people are against it, but they are all going to die and those that are younger will prevail. Remember why Hash Bash started and you tell me that prison sentences for a joint were a good thing, and now we live in a state where the local police can not charge you with a crime if you have a prescription
PattyinYpsi
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 1:22 p.m.
You're wrong. Only because there have not been any actual "hippies" in decades. And when you use the phrase "smelly hippies" you sound like Archie Bunker. They may be smelly, but they are definitely not hippies. Otherwise, I support your point that the Bash tends to draw a crowd that doesn't help the legalization push.
Billy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 12:12 p.m.
The funny thing about hash bash.....everyone I know who's a regular consumer of cannabis hates it cause it tends to specifically draw the type of crowd that does NOT help marijuana get legalized... Also.......the hash bash leaves almost as much garbage in the city streets and stewn across the diag as the art fair does when it leaves....except how long is the art fair here for again? I've always found that juxtaposition hilarious.....that here we have a crowd of SUPPOSEDLY "progressive thinking" individuals.....MANY of whom are "environmentally conscious." Yet they leave a startling amount of litter behind....
NewStart
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:24 p.m.
LITTER!!?? lol.....get your eyes off the ground, man!
Angry Moderate
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 6:36 p.m.
Perhaps marijuana consumers are more diverse than you thought, since not all fit your stereotype of progressive environmentalists.
Goober
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 12:03 p.m.
Doobie, doobie, doo! I vote that they bring back the naked mile run.
Peter Baker
Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 6:46 p.m.
Billy, it wasn't just the prudes that shut it down, the youtube creeps played their part.
matlangphil
Sat, Apr 6, 2013 : 10:20 a.m.
they should combine the 2 and have a Nude bash, run around town naked while smoking joints.
naked mile
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 4:39 a.m.
Despite all of that - The Naked Mile still lives online. Lots of Fun information - www.nakedmile.com/history.html Lots of Cool DVD's from the era where shaving was not really an option - www.nakedmile.com/videos.html
Ignatz
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 3:20 p.m.
Billy, Blame the British for all of the prudes...
Billy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 12:14 p.m.
I'll second that. It was an annual city event that DIDN'T trash the city and the only reason it stopped was because of prudes......PRUDES....in THIS day an age...in THIS city.....
clownfish
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:59 a.m.
End the madness, legalize it already.
GratefulReb
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:55 a.m.
I wish this event would go away
NewStart
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:26 p.m.
Sorry...it's needed until Marijuana is legalized....
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 4:06 p.m.
All of the live music and entertainment, including really fun movie nights, are free at Top of the Park (donation encouraged). My out of pocket expenses when I go and grab a drink and a bite to eat, and enjoy a few hours of fun, usually amount to no more than $10. It's awesome that we have something like this in our community.
TB
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 3:29 p.m.
@Homeland Conspiracy WAY overpriced??? Most of the food vendors have prices pretty comparable to their restaurants. Beer is $4 or $5, about what you'd pay in a bar/restaurant. Live music, movies, no cover. Not the best deal in the world, but WAY overpriced is a stretch. Plus, even with closing down the block on Washington Street, traffic, pedestrians and parking is still better than the other 70% of the year when students are in town.
mady
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 1:27 p.m.
well it's not and neither are those who support it, so deal with it!
Gorc
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
GratefulReb or Grateful Dead? How ironic.
Homeland Conspiracy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 12:24 p.m.
I'm not a big fan of Top of the Park. Where everything is WAY over priced, but others seem to enjoy it so who am I to force my will on others, so I just don't go. (unless they have a great band lined up). Remember you don't have go.
Gorc
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:25 a.m.
"Hash Bash organizer and Michigan Moms United founder Charmie Gholson said she's confident attendance will be HIGH for this year's rally." If I was a betting man, I'd agree.
breadman
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:24 a.m.
I want the OLD hash bash too come back as it was in the 70.s. Hippy bell bottoms, long hair. ect...
Homeland Conspiracy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 12:16 p.m.
The past is just that "the pass" Go dressed as a 70's hippie...& no you don't have to smoke pot to have fun @ Hash Bash
Alan Goldsmith
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:31 a.m.
Shades of Perry Bullard. Back when the Democratic Party badge meant something: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Bullard "Early in his tenure, Bullard was the subject of criticism after he was photographed using marijuana at the second annual Hash Bash, a rally promoting less restrictive marijuana laws. Bullard told reporters who surrounded him as he smoked that "there's nothing wrong with it.Bullard eventually came to chair the state house Judiciary Committee. He sponsored the Open Meetings Act, the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, and blocked legislation that would have revived the death penalty and loosened requirements for police wiretaps. A decorated naval veteran of the Vietnam War, in which he served in 1966-67, he later renounced his 13 medals at an antiwar rally."
Roadman
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 6:52 p.m.
@Chester: Perry died of cancer years ago.
Roadman
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 6:51 p.m.
David Cahill served as his legal legislative aide and is still in A2.
Olive
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 5:52 p.m.
I miss Perry Bullard.
Chester Drawers
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 5:18 p.m.
Gee, I haven't thought of Perry Bullard in years. Anyone know what happened to him?
kilroy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:24 a.m.
Yawn.