AMHERST – It's taken more meetings and negotiations with Northampton officials but those putting on the 25th annual Extravaganja say they're ready for the event Saturday, the first time it will be held at the Three County Fair grounds in Northampton.
For many of the previous 24 years the University of Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition festival was held in downtown Amherst.
Last year officials said it had grown too large for the Town Common and would not issue permits for it to be held here.
More than 6,000 attended.
Niki Striar, coalition president, said they are expecting about 6,800 to attend the festival this year.
There will be some changes, she said.
They've hired private security to be on site and those officers will also be checking bags for weapons, alcohol and any drugs other than cannabis as people enter.
Also she said, a few city police will also be on the ground "to ensure safety."
She said police will not be citing anyone for smoking or cannabis possession but will be looking for people selling it or in possession of other drugs.
"It's not an ideal situation but we understand their concerns," she said.
But Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper said people will be cited if they're smoking cannabis in front of police. "It's not a free for all," she said for people to be smoking marijuana.
Kasper said the department will have about 15 officers assigned to the event. Many will be directing traffic with others to ensure safety or medical emergencies.
Striar said they had to work out the sale of glass products on the grounds with health officials. She said any glass pipes for sale will be labeled for tobacco use only.
Working out the sale of glass products "was definitely an unforeseen road block."
Health officials saw the pipe sales as falling "into a grey area," because of their intended use, she said.
The event, as in the past, will feature bands and speakers. She said this year, they will have 11 or 12 speakers, about two times as many as in the past.
"It's really great to provide more information."
Speakers include hempologist John Dvorak, who has been researching and writing about cannabis hemp and its prohibition for over 20 years;
Kathleen McKinnon from CannaCare Docs, a medical marijuana health care facility with offices in six states including Massachusetts and in Northampton;
Marvin Cable, a cannabis lawyer, who has offices in Amherst and Northampton;
and Donna Hackett from the Rhode Island-based International Women's Cannabis Coalition, founded with the intent of bringing pro-cannabis women together in an alliance to end cannabis prohibition worldwide, according to its Facebook page.
Striar said they will be celebrating the even'ts 25th anniversary in some way, they just don't know how yet.
"We're anticipating a great event this year."
She is asking that everyone who comes to be "safe in their consumption. We want everyone to be safe afterwards."
That means making arrangements to travel safely home either using public transportation or a designated driver.
And while some have suggested this might be the last festival should voters legalize marijuana, she said "we don't have any intention of stopping the rally."
But she said, "We'll see what legalization brings."
Voters in November will be asked to vote on a ballot question that would legalize recreational marijuana in Massachusetts.
For many of the previous 24 years the University of Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition festival was held in downtown Amherst.
Last year officials said it had grown too large for the Town Common and would not issue permits for it to be held here.
More than 6,000 attended.
Niki Striar, coalition president, said they are expecting about 6,800 to attend the festival this year.
There will be some changes, she said.
They've hired private security to be on site and those officers will also be checking bags for weapons, alcohol and any drugs other than cannabis as people enter.
Also she said, a few city police will also be on the ground "to ensure safety."
She said police will not be citing anyone for smoking or cannabis possession but will be looking for people selling it or in possession of other drugs.
"It's not an ideal situation but we understand their concerns," she said.
But Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper said people will be cited if they're smoking cannabis in front of police. "It's not a free for all," she said for people to be smoking marijuana.
Kasper said the department will have about 15 officers assigned to the event. Many will be directing traffic with others to ensure safety or medical emergencies.
Striar said they had to work out the sale of glass products on the grounds with health officials. She said any glass pipes for sale will be labeled for tobacco use only.
Working out the sale of glass products "was definitely an unforeseen road block."
Health officials saw the pipe sales as falling "into a grey area," because of their intended use, she said.
The event, as in the past, will feature bands and speakers. She said this year, they will have 11 or 12 speakers, about two times as many as in the past.
"It's really great to provide more information."
Speakers include hempologist John Dvorak, who has been researching and writing about cannabis hemp and its prohibition for over 20 years;
Kathleen McKinnon from CannaCare Docs, a medical marijuana health care facility with offices in six states including Massachusetts and in Northampton;
Marvin Cable, a cannabis lawyer, who has offices in Amherst and Northampton;
and Donna Hackett from the Rhode Island-based International Women's Cannabis Coalition, founded with the intent of bringing pro-cannabis women together in an alliance to end cannabis prohibition worldwide, according to its Facebook page.
Striar said they will be celebrating the even'ts 25th anniversary in some way, they just don't know how yet.
"We're anticipating a great event this year."
She is asking that everyone who comes to be "safe in their consumption. We want everyone to be safe afterwards."
That means making arrangements to travel safely home either using public transportation or a designated driver.
And while some have suggested this might be the last festival should voters legalize marijuana, she said "we don't have any intention of stopping the rally."
But she said, "We'll see what legalization brings."
Voters in November will be asked to vote on a ballot question that would legalize recreational marijuana in Massachusetts.
Resource :http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/04/extravaganja_organizers_expect.html
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