As a light snow fell, the crowd cheered peace-promoting speakers who argued for the legalization of marijuana and skewered the drug war and the war in Iraq.

"These are diehard potheads that understand this is going to happen," organizer Adam Brook of Ann Arbor said after the event, contemplating what he said was a pretty good turnout.

Although the U-M Office of Public Safety estimated the crowd at 650, Brook, who has MC'd the rally for seven years, estimated it at 4,000. Brook noted few U-M students were among the Hash Bashers attending the rally.

"I think the university intimidated these kids into thinking if they come here, something's going to happen." Brook told the crowd.

Along with the cold, a large contingent of U-M police officers also may have deterred attendees from lighting up much more than cigarettes. Most in the crowd kept their hands in their pockets or their arms folded across their chests despite several entreaties from the speakers to light up "a fat one."

Police reported few problems. U-M Public Safety officers made four arrests, one for marijuana possession, two for under-age tobacco use and one for trespassing. Two vendors without permits also were cited.

"It was uncharacteristically uneventful," said Lt. Robert Neumann, of U-M Public Safety.

At one point during the rally, a man was ushered by two officers to the periphery of the crowd, which started a short-lived chant, "Let him go." Later though, Brook reported, the man wasn't arrested, just asked to leave the area.

Ann Arbor Police officials said their officers made no arrests related to Hash Bash.

Joanne Smith, who attended a small "smoke-in" rally in front of the downtown post office before the Hash Bash, said she came out because "it just seems like the thing to do." The 24-year-old Ann Arbor resident said she's come to the Hash Bash for five years, and falls into the category of participants who want to smoke marijuana there but don't because they're afraid they'll get caught.

"You have your beliefs, but you're not willing to put anything on the line for it. It's sad," she said.

John Sinclair, a former Ann Arbor resident and 1960s activist, was one of the speakers, calling the event a "fine Saturday institution." The first Hash Bash was held after Sinclair's 1969 arrest and imprisonment for possessing two marijuana joints. On Saturday, he praised the city for being a place where marijuana is "almost legal" or at least "decriminalized."

The fine for marijuana possession in the city is $25, but Brook warned Hash Bash attendees the rules are different on the University of Michigan campus because it falls under state, not city, laws.

Although few people openly smoked marijuana at the Hash Bash, some were more than willing to talk about their use of the drug.

Paula Richardson, a Bay City resident and the mother of an 8-year-old daughter, carried a colorful homemade sign that read, "Can't we all just get a bong?"

"I smoke pot and that's that," she said.

Richardson, who is a direct care worker in an adult home, said she's been up front with her employer about her use of marijuana and hasn't been required to take a drug test. Her uncle's battle with prostate cancer solidified her belief that medical marijuana use should be legalized, she said. Although her uncle was afraid to use the substance, he eventually tried it and found that it eased the pain and helped make him more lucid, she said.

A short distance away, Brian Morrisey passed out posters for the upcoming Global March for Cannabis Liberation planned for cities around the world. A student and pizza delivery driver from Flint, the 21-year-old said the Hash Bash was smaller than usual because of the weather and had fewer vendors because of new city rules.

"The city changes its laws, but we still come out and have a good time," Morrisey said.

Note: In frigid weather, few appeared to light up.

Newshawk: afterburner
Source: Michigan Live (MI)
Author: Ann Schimke, News Staff Reporter
Published: Sunday, April 6, 2003
Copyright: 2003 Michigan Live Inc.
Website: http://aa.mlive.com/
Contact: editor@annarbornews.com

Related Articles & Web Sites:

Ann Arbor Hash Bash
http://www.hashbash.com/

Million Marijuana March 2002
http://freedomtoexhale.com/million.htm

A2 Prepares for Hash Bash Events
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15877.shtml

Petitioners Net 8,000 Signatures
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9316.shtml

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The Dream

When the white eagle of the North is flying overhead - And the browns, reds and gold of autumn lie in the gutter, dead. - Remember then the summer bird with wings of fire flaying - Come to witness spring's new hope, born of leaves decaying. - As new life will come from death, love will come with leisure. - Love of love, love of life and giving without measure - Gives in return a wondrous yearn of a promise almost seen. - Live hand-in-hand and together we'll stand on the threshold of a dream. -"On The Threshold Of A Dream" - The Moody Blues - Moody Blues Lyrics http://members.tripod.com/sstWordSmith2/music/MoodyBlues/OnTheThresholdOfADream.htm#TheDream

ego destruction or ego transcendence, that is the question.

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I wish I could be as optimistic as so many are in anticipating an end to prohibition and who work so hard to hasten it, especially because I see that end as only a small part of the Golden Age that is technically and economically possible.

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Senate Bill 197, a bill that would decriminalize marijuana, has been proposed in the state Legislature. The introduction of this legislation coincides with the annual Hash Bash, which will take place April 5. This is an opportunity for University students to support the Senate bill and to support liberalized marijuana policies.

More state legislature action on cannabis, typically under-reported.

ego destruction or ego transcendence, that is the question.

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