WHIMS OF WEATHER AFFECT SUCCESS OF THE HASH BASH

Rich Birkett has been an organizer of the Hash Bash since 1988. He
hopes the annual pro-marijuana event held at the University of
Michigan Diag on April 3 will rebound after a low turnout last year.
Birkett, 51, also ran for Ann Arbor City Council last fall to push his
agenda for the legalization of medical marijuana. He lost as a
Libertarian in the 3rd Ward.

Q. How did last year's Hash Bash go?

A. The low point was last year. ... The weather was absolutely
horrendous. It was probably the worst turnout in Hash Bash recent
history. My best guess is about 1,000 people showed up.

Q. What was the biggest?

A. We had as many as 10,000 in the early 1990s.

Q. Is the city trying to squash the Hash Bash?

A. The city in the past has been very opposed to it, as has the
university. ... The event would be so much more if we didn't have so
much resistance from the university and the city.

Q. What have they tried to do?

A. Deny permits, basically. That is about all they can do. Permits for
vending and permits for street closing.

Q. Is the vending ban around the Hash Bash still on?

A. I'm not sure if they have this year. I am still considering a
lawsuit on that very issue.

Q. What is your claim?

A. The vending ban, the city administrator exceeded his authority in
putting in that ban. I may attempt to apply for another permit to do
what the city administrator says I can't do. There are two types of
permits the city has banned. Sidewalk occupancy permits are the ones
that are stationary. The other one is a solicitation permit that
allows you to move. Unless you are actually making a sale, you have to
move on.

Q. How has the Hash Bash evolved over the years?

A. As of late, the focus has been on medical marijuana (use). That
will be clearly the focus this year. We still have a few more
signatures to collect to put it on the ballot as an Ann Arbor ballot
initiative.

Q. How many signatures do you need?

A. We need 4,200, but we have collected 3,600. The initiative would
waive the fine for medical marijuana patients.

Q. Any speakers this year at the Hash Bash?

A. We will have John Sinclair again. We also will have Jack Herer. He
wrote the book "The Emperor Wears No Clothes." He is a major national
marijuana law reform activist in California. John Sinclair's band will
also be performing at the Monroe Street Fair and Block Party.

Q. When is the last time you smoked a joint?

A. I'll decline to answer that question. Why don't you ask if I plan
to smoke at the Hash Bash? I don't plan to smoke at the Hash Bash. We
don't want the university to use "smoking by the organizers" as a
reason to deny permits.

Q. How alive is the Hash Bash?

A. Between bad weather and the fact the city has banned vending around
the event the last several years, it has a negative effect. It is a
function of the weather. If it is warm to sunny, there will be a lot
of people. There could be anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 people.

Q. You ran for city council. How was the experience and why did you do
it?

A. To publicize the issues I have with the city. One reason would be
to introduce a resolution and put in a charter amendment for medical
marijuana. I find the city council meeting extremely hard to get
through. Would I have enjoyed sitting through those meetings? Probably
not. But they are necessary.

Q. Do you think marijuana will be legalized?

A. Absolutely. The road to legalization goes through Windsor. Just
like the casinos were constantly voted down until Windsor got the
casinos. Then the debate became, "Let's keep our money from going to
Canada." Canada has a much better attitude about marijuana. They are
much closer to legalizing marijuana than here.

Q. How much longer will you be involved with the Hash
Bash?

A. At this point, it is indefinite.