Organizers of the 42nd annual Hash Bash in Ann Arbor have announced the lineup for this year's rally for marijuana reform on the University of Michigan Diag.
A scene from last year's Hash Bash rally on the Diag.
Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com
Irwin has attracted statewide attention recently for his push to end the debate over medical marijuana in Michigan by decriminalizing cannabis in the state.
Briere has worked closely over the past few years to help craft a set of local regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries operating in Ann Arbor.
The Hash Bash rally on the Diag takes place from noon to 1:30 p.m. April 6, after which ralliers are likely to go over to the 12th annual Monroe Street Fair.
This year's headliner is Mason Tvert, co-director of the 2012 campaign to legalize marijuana in Colorado, communications director at the Marijuana Policy Project and author of "Marijuana is Safer."
Joining him will be "growing expert" and author Ed Rosenthal, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws founder and attorney Keith Stroup, and DJ Short.
DJ Short has been breeding marijuana strains for 40 years and has been called the Willy Wonka of marijuana breeding. He's said to have attended Hash Bash in 1973.
Rosenthal is the author of the "Marijuana Grower's Handbook." He also is on the faculty of Oaksterdam University, the leading trade school for the cannabis industry.
Other speakers expected to address the crowd include statewide reform leaders and representatives from Americans For Safe Access, Michigan NORML, Michigan Moms United, Michigan HEMP, Students For Sensible Drug Policy and the Ann Arbor Medical Cannabis Guild.
Hash Bash organizer and Michigan Moms United founder Charmie Gholson said she's confident attendance will be high for this year's rally. Thousands attend every year.
"Clearly, we're finally seeing an end to the longest-running civil war our country has seen," Gholson said of the significance of this year's rally. "Last November, not only did Colorado and Washington states fully legalize marijuana, but here in Michigan, five cities easily passed marijuana reform measures. Even the legislators are coming out to speak out against this unjust war."
- Read about the history of Hash Bash in Ann Arbor
- Read what police have to say about Hash Bash
- Read coverage of last year's Hash Bash
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.