by Charmie Ghoulson
ICONICAL COMEDIAN, actor, writer, director, activist, and musician Tommy Chong is headlining the 44th Annual Hash Bash Rally in downtown Ann Arbor April 4th. The 76 year old Chong will address the crowd of thousands at the annual speak out and smoke down protest on the University of Michigan’s campus.
Five sitting elected officials–including the Saginaw County Sheriff–national experts in marijuana reform, patients, cancer survivors, veterans and advocates from across the state are also slated to speak at our nation’s longest running marijuana legalization rally.
Representatives from the newly formed Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee (MI Legalize 2016) will address the crowd. The effort aims to put a full legalization measure before voters in November 2016 that will: preserve, protect and improve the MMMA; create a system for taxation and regulation and; permit the farming of hemp.
“The Hash Bash rally has evolved into more of a political rally than an outright protest,” said Hash Bash lead organizer Nick Zettell. “ We maintain many elements of a protest, but the Hash Bash has evolved to become an incredible platform for the medical marijuana community and policy reformers to express their unique perspectives and promote civic engagement. We have a massive crowd every year, and it is important to provide our attendees with an inlet for getting involved. People are looking to mobilize, and we would be remiss to not provide that opportunity.”
Speakers include John Sinclair, for whom the original rally was held in 1972 after being cleared of a 9.5-10 year prison sentence for giving an undercover cop two joints in 1969; former Hash Bash organizer Adam Brook; Jim and Erin Powers, Co-founders of Michigan Parents for Compassion and parents of a pediatric medical cannabis patient. World famous breeder DJ Short attended Hash Bash in 1973. He’s been called the “Willy Wonka of Marijuana Breeding.”
Politicians are increasingly lining up to take their turn at the microphone at Hash Bash. This year’s returning politicians include House state Rep. Jeff Irwin (D- Ann Arbor), Ann Arbor Councilwoman Sabre Briere and Rep. Mike Callton (R-Nashville). First timers Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel are sure to bring a unique, fiery perspective to the Diag. Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer prepared a statement to be read at the Bash.
“The very first Hash Bash started in response to a brief window in Michigan’s history where marijuana use and possession were not illegal. That was 44 years ago, and marijuana remained illegal all of those years” said Zettell. “Now we have legislators advocating for legalization and even introducing the bills to do so.”
Statewide reform leaders will speak, as will advocates and representatives from the following organizations: MI Legalize 2016 Committee, Americans For Safe Access, Ann Arbor Medical Cannabis Guild, Michigan NORML, National Patients Rights Association, Michigan Moms United, Michigan HEMP, Students For Sensible Drug Policy, Women Grow, and Sons & Daughters United.
