ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Marijuana’s benefits were lauded by users and activists during a rally at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The Ann Arbor News reports that Saturday’s 45th annual Hash Bash was attended by an estimated 8,000 people on the school’s campus.

Actor-musician Tommy Chong returned to the event and spoke about how marijuana kept his appetite healthy during cancer treatments.

A fundraiser for a November ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in Michigan was planned for Saturday night in Ann Arbor.

Voters in six Michigan communities passed marijuana decriminalization measures in November 2014. Voters in two Oakland County communities passed similar measures that August, while voters in Lansing were among residents in three cities who approved decriminalization proposals in 2013.

Michigan bans marijuana use and possession unless it’s medical marijuana.