Thousands Expected At Annual Hash Bash In Ann Arbor; Tommy Chong, Lansing Mayor To Appear
ANN ARBOR (WWJ/AP) - Organizers are expecting thousands of people for this year's annual Hash Bash in Ann Arbor.
Comedian Tommy Chong and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero are among those expected to address the crowd at the annual pro-marijuana rally, taking place Saturday at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Chong, famous as half of the duo "Cheech and Chong," is headlining the 44th annual event, which begins at noon. Organizers say Bernero, a county sheriff, cancer survivors, veterans and advocates from across the state also are expected to speak at the Diag, the main pedestrian walkway through Central Campus.
[Lansing Mayor On 'Crusade To End (Pot) Prohibition,' Says He's Never Tried It Himself]
A statewide marijuana legalization ballot initiative is planned for 2016 that aims to allow residents to cultivate their own plants and allow other uses of the drug. Representatives of the Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee are to speak.
Hash Bash started in 1972 to protest the arrest of an activist who gave marijuana to an undercover officer.
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