Hash Bash is back in Ann Arbor with a twist this year, and it's not just about lighting up. Beyond the usual fumes of freedom, the annual cannabis jamboree is putting its weight behind a cause that could change lives. In the thick of smoke and solidarity, attendees can hunt for treasure - all to help expunge criminal records of past marijuana misdemeanors. According to ClickOnDetroit, this year's Hash Bash will start at the Diag at "high noon" on Saturday, and will include live music, vendors, and advocacy speeches against a backdrop of the Monroe Street Fair.
As cannabis enthusiasts gather to celebrate, this year holds special significance with the passing of John Sinclair, whose conviction famously sparked the first Hash Bash in 1972, and who died Tuesday at 82. Amidst the revelry and disregarding the customary warning to 'not puff and drive,' the Great Lakes Expungement Network is rolling out an initiative that is both lucrative and philanthropic. In an interview with FOX 2 Detroit, director Josey Scoggin outlined the treasure map scheme where attendees fork over $50 to chase $200 worth of cannabis treats around Ann Arbor, this all under the guise of aiding their expungement services which assist clients navigating the legal fog of cleaning up their records.
The treasure hunt looks to be more than a game, with a goal set as sky-high as some of its participants. According to mlive, the initiative is aiming to raise a whopping $60,000, doubling the stakes from last year's haul of $27,000. With each completed expungement costing around $2,000, the treasure hunt's takings could potentially straighten out the legal histories of 30 individuals, turning a day of indulgence into a lifetime of reprieve for the beneficiaries.
Ann Arbor's dispensaries have embraced the cause with gusto, with participants picking up stamps from local stalwarts such as Winewood Organics, Arborside, and Bloom City Club among others. "These are all the gifts you can find on your hunt," Scoggin told FOX 2 Detroit, laying bare a trail of prizes. Scoggin describes the vibe of the event as one of "validation, community, and collaboration," with the treasure hunt not only spotlighting Ann Arbor's unique offerings but, more importantly, presenting the opportunity to render tangible help to those still ensnared by past cannabis convictions, regardless of how high or mellow the festivities get on the day.
