Participants at this year’s Ann Arbor Hash Bash will have something more to celebrate.
The 38th annual event, where thousands of revelers listen to speeches, live music and partake in occasional acts of civil disobedience — including openly smoking marijuana — centered on an effort to reform marijuana laws, will take place on Saturday, the first day that Michigan’s medical marijuana law takes effect.
“The Hash Bash started as a smoke-in, and really is a smoke-in. However, speakers take on current political [questions] of the day. This year, it’s medical marijuana.” Adam Brook of Detroit, who will serve as the event’s emcee for the 19th time, told The Ann Arbor News. “I expect to see a lot of patients who’ll come out to see what they can learn about this new law.”
The law, which passed with 63 percent of the vote in November, allows for registered patients to possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana and up to 12 marijuana plants to be used to treat the effects of serious diseases.