ANN ARBOR HASH BASH DAYS NUMBERED

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 25 (UPI) - Michigan lawmakers are proposing a bill that
could effectively end Ann Arbor's annual ``hash bash.''

A bill before the state Senate would prohibit local governments from
instituting lower drug penalties than the state imposes. Currently,
possesssion of marijuana in Ann Arbor carries a $25 fine while state law
mandates a $100 fine and 90 days in jail.

Bill co-sponsors state Sens. Mike Rogers and Beverly Hammerstrom say the
hash bash at the home of the University of Michigan is one reason the bill
was introduced. Rogers says U-M is forced to spend more each year on added
security for the event.

The celebration over the use of pot attracts thousands of participants each
year who camp out and smoke their favorite weed.

Rogers admits Ann Arbor is the only city in Michigan that would be affected
by the tougher legislation.

Hammerstrom says, ``To have Ann Arbor impose a lesser penalty and allow an
open exhibition that glorifies drug use, sends the wrong message to Michigan
residents.'' Hammerstrom says that's especially critical with the state's
anti-drug programs, corporate drug testing and a new state mandate to
drug-test welfare recipients.

Rogers says the bill is necessary because marijuana use is growing among
young people and is a ``gateway drug to other narcotics.''

A similar proposal over drug penalties was introduced in Michigan in 1998,
but got stymied in the Democratically controlled House.