Let me get this straight: 12,000 people attended Extravaganja last Saturday, and only one person was arrested for attempted theft? A handful of people were taken to the ER, something which happens during every large event that takes place at the Three County Fairgrounds, especially on hot days.
Traffic was apparently problematic, but again, that is an issue that occurs with every large event held at the fairgrounds; demand exceeded all expectations, and this is a problem that can be resolved next year.
Long story short, from a percentage standpoint, there were fewer problems with Extravanganja than an alcohol-fueled event like Blarney Blowout. So can we please stop with the ridiculous hand-wringing over cannabis now?
I find it laughable that so-called progressive liberals like Maura Healey offer full-throated support of racist, Nixon-era policies which have been trillion-dollar boondoggles, or that Marty Walsh, a recovering alcoholic, fights against legalizing cannabis, but sees no hypocrisy in expanding access to alcohol, a substance scientifically proven to be more deadly and detrimental by comparison.
Seems to me that Extravaganja was a litmus test of sorts; the world did not end. People were peaceful. Money got pumped into the local economy. It’s time to end this ridiculous prohibitionist farce. It’s a shame we have to drag our so-called leadership on Beacon Hill kicking and screaming into the light of reason, but that’s exactly what is going to happen come November. And it couldn’t happen fast enough.
Joshua Mintzer
Easthampton