30TH HASH BASH TO FILL DIAG THIS WEEKEND

In December 1970, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Alan Ginsburg and other popular
political activists came to Crisler Arena for a freedom rally in support of
John Sinclair, a Michigan resident who was sentenced to 10 years in prison
for possession of two marijuana joints.

Several members of this rally decided that on April 1 of the following
year, they would all converge on campus for a national "smoke-in." This
event, which is now known throughout the University and the country as
"Hash Bash," will celebrate its 30th anniversary Saturday.

The main event will take place on the Diag from "high noon" until 1 p.m.,
when there will be numerous speakers and activists, said Master of
Ceremonies Adam Brook.

Speakers include Keith Strout, a marijuana reformer; Elvy Musikka, one of
eight people who can obtain marijuana legally in Michigan for medical
reasons; and activist leaders John Sinclair and Chef Ra.

Although the event will take place on the University campus, Brook said it
is a community event and is predominantly attended by non-students.

"Though the University controls the Diag, this is a city event, not a
University event -- it just happens to take place on campus," Brook said.
"This is an up-from-the-people event that doesn't require a permit except
for amplified sound."

The University is responsible for approving Diag utilization permits, but
officials do not support the event.

"The University does not approve of the Hash Bash," said University
spokeswoman Julie Peterson. "We are in support of free speech and
expression so we will not be shutting the event down -- but we will be
enforcing the law."

Brook said he expects up to 10,000 people from around the world to come to
the Diag this weekend, depending on the weather. Saturday's forecast calls
for temperatures reaching 70 degrees with a chance of rain.

In past years, the event has been categorized by students and visitors
smoking marijuana on the Diag. Ann Arbor's penalty for marijuana possession
is a civil infraction punishable by only a $25 fine, but because the
University campus is state property it is governed by state laws.

"If you are coming out, don't smoke any pot on the Diag," Brook said.
"People usually think it's going to be a small fine, but are surprised when
they are hauled off to jail."

Marijuana possession on campus is a misdemeanor with up to a $2,000 fine
and one year in jail, said Diane Brown, spokeswoman for the University
Department of Public Safety, who added that DPS is planning increased
patrols for the event.

"We need to staff to ensure the safety and well-being of people on our
campus," Brown said. "We need to ask people to recognize the laws that
govern our campus."

Organizers of the Personal Responsibility Amendment initiative drive will
also be on campus this weekend. The initiative is an attempt to legalize
personal use of marijuana and to use funds currently being spent fighting
drug use on education and treatment instead.

Michigan State law mandates that for an initiative to end up on a ballot,
petitioners must receive 300,711 signatures in 180 days, said attorney
Gregory Schmid, author and director of PRA Michigan.

The drive will start tomorrow and will utilize and recruit volunteers to
obtain the required number of signatures by Oct 3.

"This affords people who are already going to smoke marijuana a lawful
alternative to obtaining drugs without ever meeting a drug dealer," Schmid
said. "We just allow the private use of homegrown marijuana away from kids,
cars and the public."

Schmid said this new initiative will take the stigma away from marijuana.

"Instead of sensationalizing it so it is a forbidden fruit that kids can't
wait to try, we want to make it boring," Schmid said.

Brook suggested that anyone who is coming to Hash Bash to express their
personal views should be careful while taking advantage of their personal
freedom.

"If you really are going to consider smoking, marijuana is civil
disobedience," he said. "Come out and be as civil and disobedient as possible."