Hash Bash 2012 - Ann Arbor MI

Around 6,000 people gathered at high noon on April 7th on the University of Michigan diag to kick off the 41st annual Hash Bash.  If you're not familiar, Hash Bash is the longest running annual rally for the reform of marijuana laws in the United States.  Since the passing of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, attendance to the event has exploded.  As always, I was in attendance, here's a few pictures from the event...

Future activists

 As always, a great crowd gathered after the rally for the Monroe Street Fair, where all enjoyed lots of live music, a little shopping, and lots of chilling on the grass...

 A little Apollo 13 brand medication :) 

 My beautiful wife and i 

 more pics of the field of hippie circles on Monroe St.

 When the rally kicked off at high noon, there was already a nice cloud of smoke hanging over the crowd, in spite of the heavy police presence

 In response to continued interference with the implementation of Michigan's Medical Marijuana Act and the increased prosecution of patients and caregivers, activist began collecting signatures this year for the total repeal of marijuana prohibition in Michigan

 My bro and I getting ready to enjoy  little civil disobedience

 More cool people

 activist selling water to raise money for the fight

 another future activist

See you there next year!!

Marijuana Education Not Allowed

Sorry, future graduate hopefuls, but, at least for now, the feds have succeeded in closing the doors of Oaksterdam University.  Following raids by the DEA and IRS last week, activist Richard Lee announced on Friday that he would be closing his cannabis related businesses and leaving Oakland.  He stated that because of his current legal situation, he felt that it was time for him to step back and let others take his place on the front lines of the medical marijuana movement.

Richard Lee has been one of the nation's leading activists in the movement for over 17 years and was the founder of Oaksterdam University in Oakland, CA.   The University was the nations first cannabis college, dedicated to teaching the history, cultivation, and business of medical marijuana.  Federal agents raided Lee's home and other businesses as well, confiscating bank accounts, computers, files and plants, effectively putting him out of business.

These raids came as a part of an ongoing federal offensive against cannabis related businesses in California and Colorado.  Despite Obama's claims of allowing states to self-regulate, these raids continue.  None of Lee's businesses actually distributed marijuana, and the feds have yet to say what they were looking for.

Federal Raids in Oaksterdam

Federal agents raided several medical marijuana related locations in Oakland, CA early Monday morning, including Oaksterdam University, the nation's first school dedicated to medical marijuana cultivation.

Oakland has long been a stronghold of the medical marijuana movement, making it a target for federal crackdowns.  Despite the Obama administrations earlier stance that they would not interfere with businesses operating in compliance with state law, Federal agents have been cracking down on California dispensaries for the past year.  In some cases these crackdowns were done with the assistance of local officials, not so with pro-cannabis Oakland.

Early Monday morning Federal agents raided Oaksterdam University, the Oaksterdam Gift Shop and the Oakland Cannabis Buyers Club, none of which actually distribute medical marijuana.  The University's founder, activist Richard Lee, was detained at his home and four university plant tenders were arrested in the raids.

This is just one more case of the Federal Government stepping in where it is not wanted or needed spending the taxpayers money going against the taxpayers wishes.  The medical marijuana movement has been nothing but good for the city of Oakland, leading to a revival of it's downtown area and an influx of businesses and revenue for the city.  The city of Oakland and it's residents are clearly pro-cannabis; why is the federal government spending millions of dollars raiding this cities legal businesses? In my hometown of Detroit crime is running rampant and unemployment is nearly the highest in the country; yet the federal governments priority is spending millions of dollars of taxpayers money raiding legal businesses in prospering cities???  Legal businesses that the vast majority of Americans approve of and support???

These communities have democratically voted these businesses in, their residents approve of them, support them and want them there, and these businesses are improving their community! What happened to democracy? It's time for the people to raise their voice.  Whether you support medical marijuana or not, would your rather have your tax dollars go toward shutting down legal medical marijuana businesses or towards revitalizing our nations economy and creating new jobs???Would your rather have your tax dollars go towards shutting down legal medical marijuana businesses or or shutting down the crack and heroin dealers on the corner??? Something to think about.