With marijuana legalization likely on ballot, Hash Bash becomes a call to action

ANN ARBOR -- After 47 years, the annual Hash Bash, which celebrates marijuana and protests the laws prohibiting its use, may be on its last legs.

With the legalization of marijuana for recreational use likely on its way to the voters in November, the annual event Saturday on the University of Michigan's campus became a call to action, or at least a call to polling places.

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"Besides making sure this is the last Hash Bash before legalization, we can make sure that we get the best people elected to the most important positions in the state," said Nick Zettel, one of the lead organizers of Hash Bash. "We’re going to have a very cannabis-positive election. And the most important thing we need is your vote."

With the unmistakable haze and scent of marijuana smoke hanging over the crowd, it was a message that was repeated by speaker after speaker, including two Democratic candidates for governor, Gretchen Whitmer and Abdul El-Sayed, and Democratic attorney general candidate Dana Nessel.

"I attended my first Hash Bash in 1988 when I was a student here. I supported legalization then, and I support it now," Nessel told the crowd that filled the Diag at the University of Michigan. "It's time to stop wasting our taxpayer dollars on this nonsense."

Whitmer said she was a supporter of the legalization of marijuana "long before it was politically fashionable," and that tax revenue generated from marijuana sales could go a long way "to fix the damn potholes."

And El-Sayed, who offered up slices of cake to what he suspected was a hungry crowd, said once the ballot proposal is passed, the state should work to expunge the records of people charged and convicted of marijuana possession and sales.

"No one should be left with an arrest record," he said.

The sentiments were shared by the crowd, many of whom openly displayed their support for marijuana by firing up a joint or a bowl.

“I see that it helps out quite a bit with a lot of things. I see kids who have had seizures all their lives, and none of the prescription medications helped them,” said Tyler Seitman, 25, of Brighton, who wore a baseball cap emblazoned with marijuana leaves and the word “Kush,” a popular variety of cannabis. “I’m just going to keep supporting it till the day it happens and then support it even more after it passes.”

Both he and his friend Rachel Johnson, 21, of Brighton, have been smoking marijuana for years. And in November, Johnson said, “I’m going to vote when it comes on the ballot, and I’ll continue to smoke it.”

While the politicians who spoke in favor of the legalization effort were all Democrats, a supporter of President Donald Trump – Jerome Bussell, manager of a medical marijuana dispensary in Morenci – wore his trademark red “Make America Great Again” cap proudly.

He wasn’t worried about U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ moves to prosecute marijuana cases more vigorously.

“I hope Trump defunds Sessions and the DOJ. He said he supported marijuana when he was trying to get elected,” Bussell said. “You kind of worry when you wear your Trump hat, but everybody’s cool. I support my country and support my president.”

The crowd came to smoke and partake in marijuana edibles, virtually unimpeded by law enforcement. Ann Arbor decriminalized marijuana use in 1974. They were helped out by people selling both marijuana-infused products and traditional munchies -- including a Girl Scout troop, who didn't want their troop number of names disclosed, who were selling Girl Scout cookies to Hash Bash attendees.

"I don't think the Girl Scouts would sanction this site," said one of the leaders of the troop, adding that Thin Mints seemed to be the crowd favorite.

While all the speakers urged the crowd to get involved in the upcoming election, the fight to normalize the use of marijuana goes beyond November, several said.

Former National Football League player Eugene Monroe, an offensive tackle with both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens, said people shouldn't lose sight of the laws that penalize cannabis users, even in states where it's legal.

"There are still tons of laws that work to ruin peoples lives," he said. "An employer can legally prevent you from maintaining your job if you use cannabis."

And Adam Brook, who was an organizer of the Hash Bash for nearly 20 years, said the Hash Bash should live on as a gesture of revolt against "The Man." The federal government still considers marijuana as an illegal drug, although Congress passed a budget last month that didn't provide money for enforcement of federal drug laws in states that have legalized medical marijuana.

"So next year, after they legalize pot in Michigan, come back with your friends, so we can say 'F-you' to the man," he said. "Because the federal government has got something up their butt about us."

The State Board of Canvassers is expected to consider the petitions filed for the marijuana legalization effort later this month, along with two other petitions -- repealing the state's prevailing wage and changing the way lines for state and federal elected offices lines are drawn. If enough valid signatures from registered voters are certified by the Board, the issues will head to the November ballot.

"I'm trying to think of the best way to mobilize people to get out and vote," said Matthew Abel, an attorney and executive director for the Michigan chapter of NORML, or the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. "We're hoping that this will be the last Hash Bash under state prohibition."

Jeff Hank, the executive director of MiLegalize, one of the groups pushing for the ballot proposal, said polling has shown support for the legalization at 62%.

"Most people assume this is going to pass at the polls, but we can’t be complacent," he said. "We have to get out and vote."

If the Board of Canvassers approves the petition, the Michigan Legislature has 40 days to either pass the proposal, and it would automatically become law; offer up a competing proposal for the ballot; or do nothing, and let the voters decide.

There have been rumblings that Republican leadership in the legislature should take up the measure and pass it, just to keep it off the ballot in November. The marijuana proposal is expected to increase voter turnout, especially among young people, who traditionally have voted more for Democrats.

But both Amber McCann, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, and Gideon D'Assandro, spokesman for Speaker of the House Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, said there haven't been any discussions in the Republican caucuses yet about such a move.

While it could be a strategic political move, "policy wise, most of the caucus opposes the measure," McCann said.

And Abel said, "It might be the smart political move to keep some of the liberals from voting, but it would fly in the face of what they really want, which is for it to fail. I just can’t see that happening."

Contact Kathleen Gray: 313-223-4430, kgray99@freepress.com or on Twitter @michpoligal.