Hi everybody,

Our volunteer org, Bay Staters for Natural Medicine (BaystatersNM.org/faq) partnered with Somerville, Cambridge, Northampton, Easthampton, Amherst, Salem, Provincetown, and Medford to deprioritize arrests for growing and sharing psychedelics plants. We also passed a bill, H.3605, out of the legislature's public health committee to legalize facilitation services affordably and much like we already license counselors. Our group teaches people how to forage, grow, and have safe experiences at our community events.

The ballot question, question four, was authored and put forward by D.C.-based New Approach PAC to co-opt our work. In Oregon and Colorado, the PAC created a system like question four that created an unelected regulatory agency to regulate psychedelic facilitation. We strongly oppose question four for three key reasons.

1. Unaffordable Treatments: In Oregon a legal experience with mushrooms costs on average $2,000 to $3,500. Small businesses are shutting down and harm reduction programs have been shut down legally. Entrepreneurs have had their lives and marriages destroyed by signing up for training programs that cost tens of thousands of dollars and similar lawyerly fees. This is similar to what the same PAC did to our cannabis system in Massachusetts, which has driven social equity applicants hundreds of thousands in debt, led to extreme amounts of mold, and created one of least diverse cannabis systems in the country. Looking at psychedelic "legalization" in Oregon, Colorado entrepreneurs are shutting down already too. Strict rules, like Oregon, are coming online that do not allow at-home use or even microdosing. Mental health care professionals also risk delicensing for participating.

2. More Arrests of Growers: Currently in Massachusetts, because of our work and general education in the world, there are virtually no arrests for growing and sharing personal amounts of mushrooms now. The 30-page law contains language on cultivation that has extremely low limits and prohibits transportation on and off residential property. These low limits would, for example, effectively ban indigenous ceremonies, according to analysis by Dr. Mason Marks, a professor at Harvard Law. Multiple indigenous volunteers on our team have come forward noting this effective prohibition as well (Baystatersnm.org/faq). Moreover, in Oregon, the PAC "legalization" led to hundreds of cities banning psychedelic services and led the state to recriminalize possession as well. The PAC has made it clear that it plans to remove these poorly written parts about cultivation after passage (see FAQ).

3. Creating a Corrupt Agency: The PAC had the opportunity to substitute or change the ballot question, and refused despite pressure from our coalition to find a compromise and multiple cities calling for our changes. It also tried to bribe and pressure our organization to just going along with the flawed text of the law, which we declined. For the PAC, establishing an unelected agency of regulators who would only have to live here for 90 days is the primary objective. The problem with that is that in Oregon the chair of that unelected agency had to resign for regulating trainings to benefit his romantic partner who sells said trainings. Similarly, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has seen multiple resignations due to conflicts of interest, the agency is facing receivership for failing to carry out legally required business, and top staff are on leave for harassing each other. In Colorado, the PAC has engaged in illegal lobbying to benefit the large corporations it works with.

By voting no, you are sending a message that you would rather see Massachusetts groups work together to write our own legislation and continue to decriminalize cities. We are saying no to corporate money misleading voters, threatening and harassing volunteer advocates, and trying to ruin mushrooms like it ruined cannabis. The culture is changing any way, and public acceptance would face a reversal like in Oregon by doing "legalization" poorly. Please feel free to reach out to us with any and all questions: team@baystatersnm.com

Any suggestions for filling my tank this season? Which company around here tends to have best prices?

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that this Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM, we’re hosting the annual Potato Fest at Smiarowski Farmstand in Sunderland, MA (320 River Rd). 🥔

We’ve got:

• A baked potato bar, hand-cut French fries, homemade potato chips, plus burgers, hot dogs, and some tasty Polish plates
• Live music both days
• Local vendors
• Kid-friendly activities for the little ones

Come hang out with us, grab some delicious food, listen to music, and support local vendors!

Hope to see you there!

Potato Festival 2024 | Facebook

It looks like gas line work? Does anyone know what the project is?

Does anyone know why this location permanently closed? I know about the one on king Street but I really liked this one!

I will be in Northampton this weekend for a concert and meeting a friend for brunch on Sunday. What are the best spots for brunch? I was looking at Jake’s, The Roost, and Woodstar. Also, is there normally a long wait time for a table in the late morning (11am ish)? I would love to make reservations somewhere since my friend is coming from out of town but so far it seems like none of these spots take reservations. Also, I’d love to hear other recommendations for any fun, cute things to do in town :) thanks!

I run a meetup group that normally has 10-15 people attend per event. There’s plenty of stuff to do when the weather is good outside but it’s harder when it gets cold.

Any ideas for indoor things to do for a group? Preferably not bars, but a place where we can chill and talk for a few hours.

New to MA, I use to be prescribed Vyvanse in VA. I am now running out and searching for a doctor to provide. Anyone have any advice or have luck with online providers? I have Blue cross Blue Shield.

I stopped using Amazon this year, and need to get them tomorrow locally 🙏

Trying to get everyone outside today and I think ending a nature walk with some playground time will help get everyone enthusiastic about heading out.

Any recommendations of a kid-friendly hike/nature walk that also has a playground very close by?

Hiya guys,

I'm a non-binary, AMAB human who carries significant masculine and feminine elements; and with a sexual orientation solely toward women. Or nonbinary humans with (what i subjectively perceive) to be significant feminine elements. Note: (I understand that masculinity and femininity are largely made up. It is however, impossible to convey my subjective experience directly, so I fall back on these terms here)

I'm thinking about moving to Northampton, in search of a vibrant and intimate arts scene, In researching the town, I read a number of statistics indicating that the me described above would be disproportionately incompatible sexually with the population (particularly, a statistic that 1/8th of the pop are lesbian humans).

I seek insight from the source. Do please let me know what your thoughts are on this.

I very much appreciate the time!

Hey all,

I'm living in boston at present and finding it hard to find/connect with artists/creatives here. Northampton and the area have a reputation for such folk. Have yall found this to be the case?

I have travelled up to NH and surrounding towns, and enjoyed the vibe. I'm concerned about the size limiting opportunities to connect. What have ya'll experienced in that regard?

big love

Hi all! My boyfriend is a ceramicist and has never been to Northampton (I’ve only been a few times) … we’re taking a road trip from Boston on Sunday and I’d love to show him around the arts scene/galleries/etc! I think some things might be closed bc Sunday but any suggestions and/or must-sees? Thanks so much!!! Ps I’m secretly encouraging him to network (he’s shy) lol so anything in that direction is especially helpful. Thx!!

Always nice to see the form you have to fill out before you get there:

https://www.northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/27983/November-5-2024-Specimen-Ballot

The title pretty much sums it up.

There are a couple of places I go to that have live music every night, but they're not really close to Northampton (I'm think Ralph's Diner in Worcester and The Stomping Grounds in Putnam, CT if that provides any sort of context).

Just wondering if there are any spots that have this kind of thing around Northampton?

Thanks!

What are the specific things from the area that you buy or do when you're feeling good, or want to feel good.

I'm thinking things like a specific dish from a restaurant, treat from a bakery, item from a store, or service from a shop. Could be as simple as a specific loop you walk, or maybe even a bench you sit on to take in a view.

Hopefully there's enough to go around and you can share!

Hey everyone! I’ve just launched Egglister, a tool I’ve been working on to help people in our area find local farm-fresh egg stands. It’s a simple map where you can check out stands nearby, complete with pricing, directions, and other details about the products available.

If you know of any egg stands in the area that aren’t listed yet, I’d love for you to submit them through the survey on the site. I’m also open to any feedback or suggestions on how to improve the tool—just drop a note through the form!

Check it out here: Egglister
Thanks for helping connect our community with fresh, local food!

https://preview.redd.it/wql94yujfdwd1.png?width=1052&format=png&auto=webp&s=69b6bc0d6b8e60d87eb215d9dccc4bd6d109c850

I might be buying a delightful, but large, piece of furniture from a seller on Facebook Marketplace. There is no way my husband and I can fit it in our car, nor haul it up a couple of flights of stairs to my bedroom (I have noodle arms). Any recommendations for movers or services that I could hire for this? Thanks!

Particularly for folks who have moved from bigger cities, went to operas, fancy restaurants, etc....what have been some of the fancier things you've done/experienced in the Pioneer Valley?

I've been walking along the rail trail from Northampton - Easthampton, Northampton - Hadley, along the sidewalk Noho-Florence, and along the Mill River. I'm itching for some new walking/hiking routes. I don't have a car- where can I get to from Northampton? Prettiest trails? Hidden gems? Generally looking for either a 10-ish mile loop or 5 miles out and back, or 10 miles one way and a bus ride back.

Along the same lines, prettiest winter vistas? One of my favorite things to do is find a quiet spot in the woods somewhere to watch wildlife and listen to the snow fall, where's the most gorgeous place to do that?

I have an interview tomorrow for agency work in a warehouse and they've said it will be immediate start if my right to work documents check out (they will - birth certificate, ID). I am on my arse and cannot afford safety boots and I cannot lose this opportunity - is there anywhere (I live in Northampton) that would lend me safety boots for a week? I'm desperate for this chance to move forward and build a steady life!

Hey - I’m 21 years old, live around the Sheffield area (whilst studying), but I come from Northampton area. I’m looking to date.

I have dated before in the past, but broken up sadly. I haven’t had a relationship in ages and have only met people on a one-off. But I really like to date and see where things go in life! Love is amazing.

I’m straight (looking for a girlfriend) and am interested in getting to know people, hoping one day I can meet someone in person and (hopefully) begin a new chapter!

Please feel free to dm if you are interested. Thank you ❤️

How many men living in Northampton served in Vietnam?

I was in a pub watching Liverpool v Chelsea and some guy was outside. He drank half a pint of beer and then left. Leaving his half pint of beer on the table outside. About 40 minutes later a Romanian looking guy was walking along, stopped and drank the rest of the beer. Absolutely rank!

Over the past year its like walking the gauntlet on main st. Two cracked out ladies that will chase you for a dollar (if I have to hear Scuse me maaaaam one more time)

A dude that has like an entire rooms worth of stuff living outside CVS who reeks so badly you have to hold your breath to walk by

A guy across from resinate in a wheelchair with his festering wound on display

At least the girl whos been pregnant for years outside Bueno and the guy outside Tart can be respectful of the general public.

A friend was downtown the other night had to run after almost getting jumped by a dude who came out of an alleyway asking for 10 dollars

Not to mention everyone in Pulaski sitting there getting shitfaced all day every day.

Supposedly Northampton cares so much and is so progressive, well why aren't these people getting help?

Instead the general public can't even walk around downtown feeling safe and unaccosted

Can really nothing be done? It's not like people don't have sympathy or compassion. But at a certain point it's not sustainable. This is clearly getting way out of hand.

Be nice if the town stopped destroying their tent cities like that's going to help anything.