UMass student Colleen Galya poses with Norm, or “Deviate from the Norm,” as he corrected me.

On April 25 the Cannabis Reform Coalition held “Extravaganja”, a marijuana festival that raises awareness about the legalization of marijuana, and provides people with a good time. Thousands of stoners attended and celebrated the decriminalization of marijuana in Massachusetts.

It was not unusual to see men in flowy skirts, women in pot leaf bras, people dressed as a pot leaf, the occasional man dressed in a burlap sack so that he looked like a biblical character (His name was Norm, Deviate from the Norm), or children with full heads of dreads.

The band line up for the day was: Bubonic Souls, Wrench in the Spokes, Primate Fiasco, Problematics, Alchemystics, Black Rebels, and Shokazoba. Some danced and listened to the music, while others indulged in smoking marijuana, sitting in the shade trying to hide from the unseasonable 86 degree weather. The hot weather, pot, music, and sweaty dancing made the area smell quite awful.

From Saturday morning to Saturday night, there were bands, speakers, and vendors all over Amherst Commons. Vendors sold items ranging from tie die apparel to glass pipes (”bowls”). At Extravaganja selling bowls becomes a family event. Vendors would sit there smoking a joint while their dreadlocked child sat by. There were “munchie” stands set up all over the commons, along with a DJ tent for those more into the rave scene.

Not to mention, there were plenty of cute dogs.

To view the slide shows in full screen with captions click on the square with four arrows on it on the bottom right of the show.

Here’s a slide show with the dogs of Extravaganja- Warning, you may have a sudden urge to go buy a four footed friend.

And here is a slide show of Extravaganja: