HOLYOKE – Holyoke is in talks with the Cannabis Reform Coalition of UMass (CRC) to bring the popular event, Extravaganja, to the city in 2020.

Director of Planning and Economic Development for the city of Holyoke, Marcos Marrero, told Reminder Publishing the city has been “actively engaged” with the CRC to host the event. However, Marrero said there are still many details to be defined as discussions are still ongoing, and no permits had been issued as of Aug. 6.

One of those details, Marrero said is location. However, according to an article in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, the event will take place in and around Heritage Park and Gateway City Arts.

The city of Holyoke, according to Marrero, began the discussion and reached out to the CRC “because they have been at the forefront of education and advocacy regarding cannabis for over 25 years.”

“With the cannabis industry poised to really take off here in years to come, we feel it’s a good time and important opportunity to bring this event to Holyoke,” he said. “We’re hoping that by partnering with the CRC to host Extravaganja we can aid in connecting residents with employment opportunities within the industry, raise awareness about the disparities that still exist among communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs (like Holyoke), and how we can start moving forward from where we are today.”

Hosting a large event such as Extravaganja, which could bring thousands of visitors to the city, also holds potential economic benefits for local businesses. Marrero compared the financial incentives Extravaganja may bring to those seen by small businesses during events that take place during the weekend of the Saint Patrick parade each year.

President of the CRC, Claire Walsh, told the Daily Hampshire Gazette the reason for the event “is trying to improve cannabis laws in Massachusetts,” and “It’s really exciting to be working with a city that supports our mission.”