Ann Arbor’s Hash Bash is back

Michigan stoners will flock to the streets of Ann Arbor Saturday (April 1) for the 52nd annual Hash Bash and 21st annual Monroe Street Fair. The day’s events will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring live music, vendors, food and giveaways.

Since 1972, folks from across the state have gathered at the center of the University of Michigan’s campus, known as The Diag, on the first Saturday in April to light up and celebrate cannabis. This year, Hash Bash will kick off with a Wake and Bake smoke session at 11 a.m., followed by speeches about cannabis legalization, expungement and other topics from noon to 2 p.m. Afterward, attendees can head over to Monroe Street (just a five-minute walk from campus) and check out dozens of vendors selling a variety of cannabis products and accessories.

The fair will feature booths from some of the biggest names in the cannabis industry, including Herbology Cannabis Co., Gage Cannabis, ArborSide, Ooze, Winewood Organics, Pure Roots, House of Dank, High Grade, Broken Buddha’s House, Muha Meds and many others. Michigan Weedsters, a grassroots expungement network, and nonprofits like The Redemption Foundation will also have booths at the event. 

Leni Sinclair, a Detroit-based photographer and activist, will be available for meet and greets and conversations about her work. She has photographed rock and jazz musicians since the early 1960s and was one of the founders of the White Panther Party, an anti-racist political group created in 1968 to support the Blank Panther Party.

With so much happening, parking is expected to be difficult. Jenn Cornell, a member of Ann Arbor City Council, said much of the street parking around the events will be blocked off for emergency vehicles. The city has contacted towing companies ahead of time so any illegally parked vehicles can be towed immediately. If you do attend the event, be wary of where you park. 

Some attendees may wish to uphold the age-old tradition of sharing joints and bowls with old and new friends at this year’s Hash Bash. If you’re looking to join a smoke circle but are concerned about recent COVID-19 surges, this week’s review may be especially interesting.

MouthPeace brings peace of mind

When passing joints or bongs between friends, the focus should be on smoking good bud and building connections, not worrying about sharing germs. Thankfully, Moose Labs has you covered with its handy MouthPeace, MouthPeace Mini and MouthPeace Filters.

Founded by brothers Dan and Jay Rush in 2014, Moose Labs created the first MouthPeace after 16 months of research and development. Smokers can place the device over the mouthpiece of their favorite bong or rig and light up without worrying about inhaling any harsh resin or tar, thanks to the replaceable triple-layer carbon filter, which is  made from biodegradable and recycled materials and results in a smoother and tastier hit. 

The MouthPeace Mini has the same filter technology, but it’s the perfect size to fit on the end of a joint or blunt. I love using the mini version when it’s my turn in the blunt rotation because it helps filter out some of the harsh tobacco taste from the wrap. Instead of coughing my lungs out after one hit, I can savor it for just a little bit longer. 

The MouthPeace and MouthPeace Mini are available in various fun colors and designs, and both retail for only $10 on Moose Labs’ website, mooselabs.us. Customers can also set up a subscription to receive new packs of filters every month.