Pubdate: Thu, 05 Apr 2001
Source: Michigan Daily (MI)
Copyright: 2001 The Michigan Daily
Contact:  http://www.michigandaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/582
Author: James Restivo, Daily Staff Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

30TH HASH BASH TO FILL DIAG THIS WEEKEND

In December 1970, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Alan Ginsburg and other popular 
political activists came to Crisler Arena for a freedom rally in support of 
John Sinclair, a Michigan resident who was sentenced to 10 years in prison 
for possession of two marijuana joints.

Several members of this rally decided that on April 1 of the following 
year, they would all converge on campus for a national "smoke-in." This 
event, which is now known throughout the University and the country as 
"Hash Bash," will celebrate its 30th anniversary Saturday.

The main event will take place on the Diag from "high noon" until 1 p.m., 
when there will be numerous speakers and activists, said Master of 
Ceremonies Adam Brook.

Speakers include Keith Strout, a marijuana reformer; Elvy Musikka, one of 
eight people who can obtain marijuana legally in Michigan for medical 
reasons; and activist leaders John Sinclair and Chef Ra.

Although the event will take place on the University campus, Brook said it 
is a community event and is predominantly attended by non-students.

"Though the University controls the Diag, this is a city event, not a 
University event -- it just happens to take place on campus," Brook said. 
"This is an up-from-the-people event that doesn't require a permit except 
for amplified sound."

The University is responsible for approving Diag utilization permits, but 
officials do not support the event.

"The University does not approve of the Hash Bash," said University 
spokeswoman Julie Peterson. "We are in support of free speech and 
expression so we will not be shutting the event down -- but we will be 
enforcing the law."

Brook said he expects up to 10,000 people from around the world to come to 
the Diag this weekend, depending on the weather. Saturday's forecast calls 
for temperatures reaching 70 degrees with a chance of rain.

In past years, the event has been categorized by students and visitors 
smoking marijuana on the Diag. Ann Arbor's penalty for marijuana possession 
is a civil infraction punishable by only a $25 fine, but because the 
University campus is state property it is governed by state laws.

"If you are coming out, don't smoke any pot on the Diag," Brook said. 
"People usually think it's going to be a small fine, but are surprised when 
they are hauled off to jail."

Marijuana possession on campus is a misdemeanor with up to a $2,000 fine 
and one year in jail, said Diane Brown, spokeswoman for the University 
Department of Public Safety, who added that DPS is planning increased 
patrols for the event.

"We need to staff to ensure the safety and well-being of people on our 
campus," Brown said. "We need to ask people to recognize the laws that 
govern our campus."

Organizers of the Personal Responsibility Amendment initiative drive will 
also be on campus this weekend. The initiative is an attempt to legalize 
personal use of marijuana and to use funds currently being spent fighting 
drug use on education and treatment instead.

Michigan State law mandates that for an initiative to end up on a ballot, 
petitioners must receive 300,711 signatures in 180 days, said attorney 
Gregory Schmid, author and director of PRA Michigan.

The drive will start tomorrow and will utilize and recruit volunteers to 
obtain the required number of signatures by Oct 3.

"This affords people who are already going to smoke marijuana a lawful 
alternative to obtaining drugs without ever meeting a drug dealer," Schmid 
said. "We just allow the private use of homegrown marijuana away from kids, 
cars and the public."

Schmid said this new initiative will take the stigma away from marijuana.

"Instead of sensationalizing it so it is a forbidden fruit that kids can't 
wait to try, we want to make it boring," Schmid said.

Brook suggested that anyone who is coming to Hash Bash to express their 
personal views should be careful while taking advantage of their personal 
freedom.

"If you really are going to consider smoking, marijuana is civil 
disobedience," he said. "Come out and be as civil and disobedient as possible."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager