40 years of Hash Bash: Marijuana festival started in 1972 in Ann Arbor stands test of time
Thousands filled the University of Michigan Diag last year for the 39th annual Hash Bash. The 40th annual celebration of cannabis takes place this Saturday at noon.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Three days after the rally, Sinclair was released from prison after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled the state's marijuana statutes were unconstitutional.
"I went to prison for two and a half years to overthrow the old laws," Sinclair, 69, recalled during an interview this week. "And my appeal succeeded in establishing that marijuana was not a narcotic and that 10 years for possession was a cruel and unusual punishment."
Sinclair, who lived in Ann Arbor from 1968 to 1975 and now splits his time between Amsterdam and Detroit, became a marijuana martyr of sorts, and his case helped fuel a movement. On April 1, 1972, stoners united on the University of Michigan Diag in Ann Arbor for the first Hash Bash, a countercultural cannabis celebration now in its 40th year.
Poet and activist John Sinclair, who went to prison for two and a half years before his 10-year sentence for two marijuana joints was overturned in 1971.
Photo courtesy of Glenn Hieber
"We kind of wanted to have the Hash Bash to defy this law," Sinclair recalled, adding that's when the state reclassified marijuana as a controlled substance and lowered the penalties for possession from 10 years to one year, and for sales from 20-to-life to four years. "We didn't think that was far enough."
Sinclair and others got behind two candidates from the Human Rights Party who were elected to the Ann Arbor City Council in April 1972. They quickly spearheaded an effort to reduce the city penalty for possession of small amounts of marijuana to a $5 civil infraction, essentially decriminalizing weed in Ann Arbor. That remains the case today, except it's now a $25 ticket for first offenses.
"That totally changed the scene in Ann Arbor, to the point that I know people who used to walk up to cops and try to get that ticket written, and you couldn't get a cop to write that $5 ticket," said Adam Brook, organizer of the Hash Bash for the past 20 years.
Thousands are expected to descend on the Diag on Saturday for the 40th annual Hash Bash. As in years past, the rally starts at high noon and goes until 1 p.m., then spills over to the Monroe Street Fair where live music and vending are on tap. Later in the evening, Sinclair is expected to perform poetry and music with the Macpodz at the Blind Pig.
Brook is expecting a larger crowd than usual this year, possibly as many as 10,000 if the weather cooperates. He's predicting a jump in attendance due to increased public interest and media attention surrounding medical marijuana issues.
In addition to Sinclair, this year's speakers list includes former Republican governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson, who is launching a presidential bid and supports legalizing pot.
Hash Bash over the years
In its prime, the word-of-mouth gathering attracted more than 10,000 participants, but attendance at Hash Bash has varied over the years. Last year about 5,000 came out.
Chuck Ream, an Ann Arbor cannabis activist and medical marijuana dispensary owner, said he was at the first Hash Bash in 1972 and has been to just about every one since. He came to Ann Arbor in the fall of 1970 to get a master's degree in counseling at U-M.
The crowd on the University of Michigan Diag during Hash Bash in 1974.
Photo courtesy of Jim Huff
Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje, who graduated from high school in 1969, recalls taking part in a number of the earliest Hash Bash festivals in the days of his youth.
"I grew up in Ann Arbor. That was a fun thing to do in the early 1970s, as you might imagine," he said. "There was definitely some shock value to it in the early years."
Ream said Hash Bash probably would have died out in the 1980s if not for activist Rich Birkett, who kept it together and pulled in High Times magazine.
Brook arrived on the scene in the late 1980s and assumed a lead role in organizing and emceeing the event. He said Hash Bash has evolved into more of a political rally.
"The rally became very much a political thing in the '90s, where in the '70s and the '80s it was a party," said Brook, who lives in Royal Oak today.
Brook said Hash Bash came under attack in the 1990s when U-M launched its own police force and began more aggressively enforcing state marijuana laws on campus.
"You have to understand that Hash Bash is a smoke-in. People are going there to smoke a joint," Brook said. "Now, why do we warn people that it's not the place to smoke a joint? Well, because the university now has their own police force, and they'll arrest you for smoking a joint, and that is how Hash Bash has changed. But for years we didn't even need a permit. All you had to do was show up on the Diag, smoke weed — it wasn't a problem."
Diane Brown, a spokeswoman for the U-M Department of Public Safety, said if people think Hash Bash is some sort of amnesty day where campus police will look the other way, they're wrong — pot smoking won't be tolerated on campus.
Hash Bash organizer Adam Brook during the event in 2007.
File photo
"The university is supportive of free speech and the right to express ideas, and as long as that is what is happening on campus on the Diag, then everything will be fine," Brown said. "Unfortunately, this event has tended to attract people who take it another step further than just a mere expression of ideas and they start engaging in illegal activity, and that can't happen."
Hash Bash organizers sued the university five times in six years in the 1990s after the university made attempts to crack down on the festival, including denying permits, Brook recalled. He said the fight only made the festival stronger in the end.
"We got huge in this country doing Hash Bash. It's the largest, most-unadvertised event in the country," he said. "Hash Bash is going to happen no matter what happens."
Cultural change
Now that medical marijuana has been legalized in Michigan, Hash Bash has become more of a celebration in the last two years.
"If you see and feel the enthusiasm of that day, it's a great celebration of independence," Ream said. "There's a tremendous sense of joy and exhilaration about having created something ourselves that is fun and beautiful and has the right message for the future."
Ream, a retired kindergarten teacher and former Scio Township elected official, said he stayed behind the scenes for many years, but more recently he's emerged as one of the leading voices in the medical marijuana movement in Ann Arbor.
Dispensary owner Chuck Ream has emerged as a leading voice in the medical marijuana movement in Ann Arbor.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
In November 2004, Ann Arbor voters overwhelmingly supported a city charter amendment to allow growing and using marijuana for medical purposes with a physician's authorization. Michigan voters approved the statewide medical marijuana act in 2008.
Hieftje said voters have spoken loud and clear where they stand on the issue, and the city is working collaboratively with activists on access to medical marijuana. The City Council is finalizing two ordinances to allow dispensaries to operate under a set of regulations drafted with respect for the rights of patients and caregivers in mind.
When Hieftje talks about marijuana, he comes off sounding like an advocate for total legalization, though he acknowledges he has concerns about the potential for increased use among teenagers.
"But some of the reports I've seen show that we're spending billions of dollars and we're still incarcerating people for marijuana," Hieftje said. "I would guess that if you had a referendum in the United States, a majority of people would say we shouldn't be prosecuting marijuana anymore. All of the efforts that the United States government has taken haven't made a difference, so you have to look at the practicalities of it."
Sinclair said the original goal of Hash Bash was total legalization, and he's still hoping to see that happen in his lifetime. For now, he's a state-registered medical marijuana patient.
Sinclair continues to perform poetry all over the western world with different musical ensembles. He makes records, writes books, produces programs for two Internet radio stations and provides therapy musical programs for a medical marijuana compassion club in Detroit.
He speaks proudly of his legacy in the marijuana movement, and he's hopeful the culture will continue to shift toward an attitude of tolerance.
"They need to get rid of this idiotic, hypocritical war on drugs. Marijuana, there's nothing wrong with it," he said. "It doesn't harm anybody, it's not a dangerous substance, and millions of people use it — and they're just characterized as criminals by these people whose drug of choice is alcohol. So the first thing you get rid of is tremendous hypocrisy."
Ream marvels at how far Ann Arbor has come. Even in the last year, he said, attitudes have continued to change, and city officials have visited dispensaries and left impressed.
The scene at Hash Bash in 1996.
Photo courtesy of Pierre Manley
Brook is a living reminder that the fight isn't over, though. He recently was hit with eight felony drug and firearms charges after his Royal Oak home was raided by the Oakland County Narcotics Enforcement Team, turning up more than a pound of marijuana.
That's well over the 2.5 ounces allowed to medical marijuana patients in Michigan. A state-registered patient, Brook is free on bond and plans to fight the charges.
"They've already dropped four charges and I'm hoping it'll all work out," he said this week. "I can't really say much about it because I'm in court."
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 e-mail newsletters.
Comments
A2herbology2011
Sun, Apr 17, 2011 : 1:52 p.m.
I am an Ann Arbor Resident, as well as an MMA patient. The laws DO need to be changed, and MJ should be leagalized, in full. The problem is, that even with the new rights regarding medical Marijuana, there are guidelines to be followed. Such as you can only have 2.5 ounces at any one given time. Now, not knowing the full story of Adam Brooks and his arrest for having over a pound of marijuana, but I think it in poor character, that someone who is supposed to be trying to not only convince those in the community, as well as political figures controling the current laws, that Marijuana should be legalized, is unable to follow the current, new laws of only being able to grow 12 plants/per patient ( up to 5) , and how much you can have at a time. (2.5oz) . Which is 12 more than you could legally grow BEFORE the current law passed. Why abuse something that is so simple? They aren't telling you can't use it, they are just putting stipulations on how much you can have at any one given time. I am sure this will change, but for those of us that are MMA patients, caregivers, providers, even dispensaries, we've been given SOME leeway here, and by mindfully, and purposefully breaking the already, scrutinized Medical Marijuana laws, what are we saying to the people we are trying to get to listen, and respect OUR needs, and knowledge, if we can't listen in return? There's a saying that goes something like " You are given a foot, yet you take a mile" or something along those lines. There are ways to make your opinion, beliefs, and reasons known, without , metaphorically speaking, "spitting" in their [regulators] faces. You ruin credibility of not only yourself, but other members participating in the use, and legalization of Marijuana, both for medical and recreational purposes.
HENRYK
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 6:35 p.m.
I see some have said this but I will say again, how can you say this is bad for the town but it is o.k. to be out there drinking at 8:00 A.M. as long as you are going to a football game on Saturday. There should be a study of all the drunks driving home after a game. Tailgating is a tradition right ? Well so is hash bash for some.
pawky
Fri, Apr 1, 2011 : 6:42 p.m.
I'm praying for rain.
NewStart
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 12:58 p.m.
I am praying for a revolution of sorts!
StrongFire
Fri, Apr 1, 2011 : 6:37 p.m.
There must be an awful lot of sick people attending this event or is "medical" marijuana just an end run around drug laws?
NewStart
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
"sick people"...or people wanting to improve their lives....or wanting to right a legal wrong...
rsa221
Fri, Apr 1, 2011 : 6:18 a.m.
Hmm... what if Michigan became the first state to totally legalize the herb, further diversifying our economy and increasing tourism? ;) I'd love to see industrial hemp legally grown in Michigan as well - potential cash crop for our farmers and state.
godsbreath64
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 9:25 p.m.
We are discussing the University of Michigan. One alumni and hires Dick Cheney as youngest ever oval office Cheif of Staff, another pioneers gauleiter rule in an american state, et. al. The University, history shows every day, teaches quite well a nation of men, not laws. Cults don't want, (re)view. Apparently, for good reason. Don't be tardy, trespass.
Blanch DuBois
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
I was going to post something...but I forgot what I was going to say :/
dogpaddle
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 7:38 p.m.
@grye: I not disagreeing with you that some people just want to get high (which is not a bad alternative to alcohol which is perfectly legal - and weed is less harmful to the body than alcohol), but as for those legal substitutes you mention, those are nothing more than synthetic pharmaceuticals and are not tolerated by many people (not knocking pharmaceuticals - many are indeed wonder drugs for some - and addictive and destructive to others). Many cancer or AIDS patients who suffer from extreme nausea or lack of appetite, puke Marinol right back up but are able to eat simply by taking a few tokes off of a joint. It keeps many alive. Legal alcohol is medicinal for some (red wine "might" reduce heart attacks and lower blood pressure) but is also destructive and gets abused by others who just want to get drunk. I really don't see this as any different.
Elaine F. Owsley
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 7:28 p.m.
Surely there are more important issues to protest against, to demonstrate for, to raise social awareness. This hold-over from the 70's is more of a habit than the original problem.
NewStart
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 12:52 p.m.
Please read my reply to grye
Atticus F.
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
World peace begins with tolerance.
hard core ann arborite
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
To the author ... my daughter was busted for a joint just 3 years ago. LAWNET (Livingston And Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team) broke down her front door at 6 AM (literally - smashed it), made her and her boyfriend stand naked in the living room for an hour in handcuffs while they ripped the entire home apart, dumping out drawers, pulling down dropped ceiling panels, etc. Then the police left with the following result: - Ann Arbor ticket for marijuana possession: $125 (not $25, let alone $5) - a state criminal case resulting in 2 years probation for each of them and (the following is just for my daughter) - two 10-week rehab programs at Dawn Farms at $500/course - the judge provides profit for Dawn Farms and shoves marijuana offenders in front of people with real addiction problems voluntarily seeking help - monthly probation costs ($45 or 50? per month ) - 100 hours community service (and lost wages from her supermarket job) - lawyer fees ($1500) - etc. The "$5 fine" the rest of the world might expect actually cost over $4600 with many more attendant costs and hardships besides. This, like the laws against marijuana, is pure insanity. I don't think most people understand what the current "permissive climate" amounts to in Ann Arbor. In short, it's a sick joke.
Roadman
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.
Governor Johnson was an anti-crime GOP governor who later was injured in a paragliding accident and used marijuana to ease his pain. He now supports use of the drug.
grye
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.
As if we don't have enough problems with alcohol abuse, the supports of the hash bash want marijuana legalized for no other reason than to get high. Although there is scientific data showing it helps coping with some diseases and cancer treatment, but there is also legal substitutes that will do the same thing. Society doesn't need another issue to deal with. Keep it illegal since there really is no other reason to smoke it other than to get high.
NewStart
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 : 12:46 p.m.
Keep it illegal so a senior cannot benefit from it's properties, such as jogging more and longer? Marijuana is also a solution to depression, loneliness,stress and can fight off cancer and other diseases. I should not be an outlaw as a senior if I am not sick enough to "qualify" for medical marijuana. Because it is illegal does not mean it has to be, or should be so.
mun
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.
"Keep it illegal since there really is no other reason to smoke it other than to get high." Just like they kept alcohol illegal in the 1920s, since there really was no other reason to drink it other than to get drunk?
Me
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
@trespass "The University administration wanted a police department that would do their bidding so they were not happy with the Ann Arbor Police. This carries through until today." If the University PD is enforcing state laws, then how is that doing "It's bidding for them." People should not think that just because this is an event to legalize marijuana, you do not get to smoke it in public. As for now it is still illegal and the police are there to enforce the STATE law, don't blame them, they are just doing their job.
trespass
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 8:07 p.m.
Before 1992 the UM campus was considered part of Ann Arbor and the police enforced local laws. The Ann Arbor police would also not enforce the UM interpretation of the trespass statute and would not arrest the BAM protesters. They also did not arrest the naked mile participants. Thus, the campus was a more tolerant place under Ann Arbor police than it is now under the rule of the UM administration.
northside
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.
Polls indicate 45% of the U.S. favors legalization of marijuana. Hopefully we'll soon see the day when Hash Bash is no longer necessary. Or the event can just be a celebration, including a look back at a time of harmful criminal justice policy, when millions were imprisoned for something that wasn't a crime.
picabia
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 4:01 p.m.
During the mid 70s I was sitting outside the Media Center in Angell Hall at 7:45 am waiting for it to open. Two apparently out-of-town guys approached and asked me where the Hash Bash was going to be and when it would start. To me, anything before 9:00 am was ridiculously early, but here were two guys ready to party down and it wasn't even 8 am yet.
genetracy
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 3:58 p.m.
Celebrating 40 years of substance abuse.
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 1:54 p.m.
amd ur bodi mess index is ???
Wolf's Bane
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 2:40 p.m.
I've met John Sinclair numerous times through his daughter who attended the same HS with me. I think the original purpose of Hash Bash was to raise a united voice in protest against the jailing of John Sinclair, e.g. 10 for 2. In more recent times, I think the Hash Bash has lost most of its political, counter culture mystique and is now mostly a spectacle and platform for various pro-pot organizations; the original intend having disappeared a long time ago. However, given all of the other options out there pot is still relatively harmless.
Terminal
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 3:38 p.m.
I went to get high with friends.
mun
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
Is this Hash Bash sponsored by Frito Lays?
jns131
Fri, Apr 1, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
Nope, but if you go to Krogers between 3 and 8 you can get a bag of it for free. See you at the munching fest. Drug free. Can't afford to loose my job here.
chill out
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.
Generally a group of nice people who just want to smoke. Big deal. But their choice is to do it in the Diag, so they subject themselves to the rules of the University. How hard is it for them to move somewhere else if they have a problem with campus cops.
Atticus F.
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 3:46 p.m.
UofM police have been deputized by Washtenaw County Sherrif. They operate under state law, not Ann Arbor city code.
trespass
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.
Why is the campus not subject to Ann Arbor city ordinances? It is a law enforcement island unto itself.
Christian Vative
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.
Good job, Ann Arbor! Jesus said to do unto others as we would have them to do unto us. None of us would want our child thrown in jail with the sexual predators for using a little marijuana. None of us would want to see our parent's home confiscated and sold by the police for growing a couple of marijuana plants to ease the aches and pains of growing older. It's time to stop putting our own families in jail. It's time to let ordinary Americans grow a little marijuana in their own back yards.
Atticus F.
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 2:01 p.m.
I really wish someone would have sent in some photos from the early to mid 90's. Those were some of favorute ones.
Major
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.
I've been to every single bash. They have all been different from one another. From huge crowds of thousands, to only a few hundred. From hot and sunny, to cold and snowy (and everything in between). There has been alternatively, barely any police, to a huge show of multi department authorities. The face's in the crowd have been varied as well, from young students, to blue collar, to suits. Short hair and tee's, to long hair and army coats, to mohawks, tat's and piercings....and back again. Funny, as much as things change, they stay the same. Sad that some call this event, "bad for the community", an "embarrassment", things like that..I would say, have you ever seen the (thousands of) tailgating drunks before and after a Michigan football game? Talk about an embarrassment for the community!!! I wonder how many drive drunk, crash, get arrested for drunk driving etc? Let's get things in perspective here and quite being so hypocritical!
Some Guy in 734
Fri, Apr 1, 2011 : 1:07 a.m.
OK, one obvious reason. I bet InBev has much better lobbyists than Hydro Dave does.
Some Guy in 734
Fri, Apr 1, 2011 : 12:57 a.m.
AnnArborEats: it seems the only two sane courses of action are to have marijuana as legal as liquor is, but prosecute impaired driving no matter what substance it is; or institute full prohibition for both. I can't understand the logic behind maintaining the double standard.
AnnArborEats
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 5:21 p.m.
Let's get something straight. They are BOTH an embarrassment to the community. I would hate to see someone drunk or high behind the wheel.
DAN
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
The article didn't mention former state representative Perry Bullard whose name was associated with the "bash" for years.
Terminal
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 2:03 p.m.
Perry Bullard was a friend of mine and he is part of Hash Bash history. He is mentioned in the Wikipedia article. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_Bash" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_Bash</a>
David Briegel
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 1:52 p.m.
Perry Bullard was a sane, rational, civilized and visionary leader!
NewStart
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 1:28 p.m.
Concerning legalizing marijuana for seniors...I would like to add that 50 should be considered the retirement age if marijuana were made legal for seniors, because many have retired early. This would also help unemployed persons as unemployment is stressful and marijuana usage helps with stress and depression. Or better yet, legalize marijuana for everyone and let us govern our own lives!
Terminal
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 1:15 p.m.
I was a Psychedelic Ranger, one of the Rainbow People's Party's home grown security at the Free John benefit/rally and concert. I was offered a $5 bill to allow some guy in a leisure suit and his girlfriend into the photographers area in front of the stage. I burned his bill to show him money meant nothing to me. In retrospect I should have kept his money and bought some food with it.
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 1:52 p.m.
@terminal .. "In retrospect I should have kept his money and bought some food with it." uhhhhhhhh, yup! NOW you are a capitalist! welcome! (too soon old; too late smart)
Terminal
Fri, Apr 1, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
Actually I didn't have the "munchies" but was living in a commune and we literally had to count pennies to make rent and feed ourselves... no government cheese for us.
ice1950
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 5:46 p.m.
Hi Terminal. I also was a Psychedelic Ranger and worked the free concerts at Gallup and other places. The Free John concert was a kick, working stage security, but Lennon was hard to cover as he got mobbed just trying to look around. We should have our own reunion sometime!
snoopdog
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 5:39 p.m.
must have had the "munchies" eh ? Good Day
Terminal
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
I went to the first Hash Bash. It snowed. I have also made a few changes to correct the Hash Bash Wikipedia page. From Wikipedia: The first Hash Bash was held on Saturday, April 1 1972 in response to the March 9th 1972 decision by Michigan Supreme Court declaring unconstitutional the law used to convict cultural activist John Sinclair for possession of two marijuana joints. This action left the State of Michigan without a law prohibiting the use of marijuana until after the weekend of April 1 1972.
David Briegel
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
The laws need to be changed. That is the purpose of the event. The laws don't make us safer. They are selectively enforced and create resentment amongst the sane citizens who know how foolish, futile, harmful and costly the are. Society pays a huge cost for drug enforcement and the prison industrial complex. Lives are being destroyed. Legalize the herb NOW!
Bucky Dornster
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 1:07 p.m.
"Welcome to Ann Arbor! How high are you? I mean ... Hi, how are you?!"
Moscow On The Huron
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 12:53 p.m.
It's time to stop celebrating and reminiscing over this extremely embarrassing part of Ann Arbor and put it where it belongs - in the past.
northside
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 4:28 p.m.
45% of the U.S. now favors legalization of marijuana, so the ideals and beliefs behind Hash Bash are most likely the nation's future, not past.
Wolf's Bane
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
LOL. If we don't acknowledge and preserve our history, we're bound to repeat it!
NewStart
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 12:45 p.m.
If marijuana is not fully legalized, at least legalize it for incoming seniors like myself as part of a concession to retirees. Many of us who envisioned "changing the world" way back when were inspired by smoking a little pot and interacting with like minded free thinking people.. Do you really think creative thinking comes from "towing the line"? I also get off my butt more and even jog with bad knees after a few tokes and maybe a beer. It's good for my health, however I do not qualify for medical marijuana because I am not sick enough! I survived 35 years of a job and drug testing crap....I think retirees should be free to legally smoke marijuana.
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Sun, Apr 3, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, if seniors canget viagra at taxpayer expense, why not pot? 'pursuit of happinexx' covers a multitude of activities.
Some Guy in 734
Fri, Apr 1, 2011 : 12:08 a.m.
Newstart: at least legalize it for incoming seniors like myself as part of a concession to retirees. As much as I may agree with you, I'm also reliving the endless stories told by some of my elderly in-laws. I can barely imagine how far the tales would ramble if you threw an indica spliff into the mix.
Forever27
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 1:37 p.m.
@marshall, that's all well and good during this current presidential administration. But if a new person is elected who decides to change the policy of the Justice Department, everyone who signed up for their card will now have their name on a veritable "cheat sheet" for the feds to use to take down anyone they want for marijuana charges. This is especially concerning for the growers. Until it is just flat out legalized, it will never be fully safe to use it, even through the legitimate ways currently provided.
Marshall Applewhite
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 1:06 p.m.
It's not hard to get a medical card. You just have to find the right doctor to vouch for you.
Forever27
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
I think everyone should be free to enjoy the experience you described. Regardless of the medicinal properties, who cares? Even the moral argument against the legalization of marijuana is pretty weak.
snoopdog
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 12:17 p.m.
A day to "party on" for all the stoners out there, just hope your company doesn't implement random drug testing. Good Day
jns131
Fri, Apr 1, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.
I think they just might. Especially since spring break starts next week and most random drug tests happen after a holiday or a break. Good luck not getting caught.
Pete Warburton
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 12:12 p.m.
Will the New Dispensary owners set-up booths and pass out free samples ? A new twist on " A Taste of Ann Arbor ". Note: Please do not use menthol zig-zags...menthol is bad for you.
Some Guy in 734
Fri, Apr 1, 2011 : 12:14 a.m.
The only menthol Zig-Zag product I've seen are filtered empty tubes, intended to be used with tobacco. You probably could pack a .8 gram joint using one of those, but I'm not sure you'd want to get the filter's sloppy seconds.
Pika
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 10:55 a.m.
As a resident I've been asked the following question on April 1: "Hey man! Where is the Hash Bash?" You gotta love living in A^2/.
trespass
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 : 10:45 a.m.
"Now, why do we warn people that it's not the place to smoke a joint? Well, because the university now has their own police force, and they'll arrest you for smoking a joint," The University administration wanted a police department that would do their bidding so they were not happy with the Ann Arbor Police. This carries through until today. A little over a month ago, an EMU student was banned for life from all UM property for smoking marijuanna with UM students on the diag. The campus police use the trespass warning as a weapon to punish and discredit whistleblowers and campus protesters. The State Legislature should rethink letting UM have its own police.