This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on April 6, 2014.
The Marijuana Patients Organization did not attend the event. On my own, I walked and talked with a handful of the thousands in attendance celebrating marijuana and life on the University of Michigan’s campus.
For me, marijuana does so much more than just helping my medical conditions. Do not get me wrong my conditions are severe and the medicine helps significantly, but marijuana helps me to see things holistically, to create things differently and live life happier. Hash Bash is simply a celebration of this plants amazing qualities.
The penalty for marijuana law violations in the City of Ann Arbor is a $30 fine and $25 court costs for a total of $55, and the ticket is a civil infraction, not a criminal violation. With little to no police presence at the Bash, several lighters and more than 5000 joints, Ann Arbor was smoke filled and alive.
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.
A big ‘Thank You” belongs to the speakers, organizers, NORML, the city of Ann Arbor, activists and the volunteers that made the event a bash. Adam Brook, the man responsible for orchestrating the celebration did an excellent job this year. Adam has been in charge of the Hash Bash for the past 20 years (less a couple years where Adam was incarcerated for his own medical marijuana use). Thank you and welcome home…
Adam is a true Hero.