45th Annual Hash Bash held on U-M campus despite snow

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WJBK) - Marijuana legalization supporters gathered at The University of Michigan on Saturday for the 45th Annual Hash Bash.

An estimated 8,000 people attended the event, despite the snow, said organizer Nick Zettel.

"This is the biggest I've seen, even with the snow coming down, there are still thousands of people hang out. ... It's really incredible," he said.

During the event, attendees were urged to support a state ballot measure by pro-marijuana group MI Legalize.

Event speakers include parents, grandparents, cancer patients, and even politicians.

Michigan State University freshman Troy Albrecht, who favors legalization with some regulation, attended the event Saturday for the first time.

"It's all about the law and the changes. It's very impressive what's going on," he said.

Organizers said Michigan's criminalization of marijuana has helped lead to mass incarceration. Some cities have voted to decriminalize pot and Hash Bash attendees plan to fight for more.

"Our main objective is education," Zettel said. "It's a protest so we are protesting unjust marijuana prohibition. It's also an informative rally. It's a celebration in a lot of ways."