Pubdate: February 25, 1999 Source: Detroit News (MI) Contact: http://www.detnews.com/ Copyright: 1999, The Detroit News Author: B.G. Gregg and Jodi S. Cohen / The Detroit News IS THE PARTY OVER FOR THE HASH BASH? Law would toughen fines to help end Ann Arbor pot rally Ann Arbor -- Two state senators want to trash the Hash Bash. Republicans Beverly Hammerstrom and Mike Rogers, who represent districts bordering Ann Arbor, have co-sponsored a bill to prohibit local communities from enacting drug ordinances with penalties softer than state law. The move comes about a month before the 28th annual Hash Bash, scheduled for the first Saturday of April. The internationally known event, which promotes the legalization of marijuana, draws about 5,000 people, many of whom openly smoke marijuana. The event created clashes with police in the early years, but has become a quiet gathering of young and old advocates of the drug. Both lawmakers said their bill is out of concern for teen-agers who think it is OK to attend the Hash Bash. The city levies a $25 fine for marijuana possession. It's the only city that deviates from the state law, which calls for a $100 fine and up to 90 days in jail. James Millard, owner of Pure Productions, an Ann Arbor store that specializes in hemp clothing, called Hammerstrom's and Rogers' bill "ridiculous." - --- MAP posted-by: Rich O'Grady