NORTHAMPTON – Extravaganja will be an adult affair this year as organizers make it an 18-plus event in the face of concerns from the city.

Just after 5 p.m. Friday, the University of Massachusetts Amherst Cannabis Reform Coalition posted a statement on Facebook about the age limit.

“As required by the City of Northampton Health Department: All persons must be ‘18 or older to attend the event; under 18 will not be admitted into the fairgrounds,’” the statement read. “The UMass CRC does all it can to make the event enjoyable for all involved while keeping the spirit of civil disobedience and political freedom in mind.”

In less than 30 minutes, the post had garnered 81 reactions, 42 comments and was shared 32 times.

In a message sent to the Gazette, the Cannabis Reform Coalition said they were disappointed that some supporters may not be able to attend to the event due to the “restrictions imposed by the City of Northampton's Health Department.”

“During our 24 years in Amherst Common, and last year at the Three County Fair, our rally was held successfully without age restrictions, but we respect the authority of the city and will comply with its requirements,” the coalition wrote.

When reached after 9 p.m. Friday night, the city’s Director of Public Health Merridith O'Leary said she was not at liberty to discuss the issue at the time.

It is unclear whether the CRC was required or requested to impose an age restriction.

Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.

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