LOS ANGELES —
From sativa and indica flowers, to gummies, chocolates and pre-rolls, more than 2,200 California cannabis fans will have the chance to sample, judge and crown the best cannabis products in California when the High Times SoCal Cannabis Cup judging kits launch across the entire state, Saturday, May 20. Although labeled “SoCal,” the competition is open to all brands across California to be judged predominantly by SoCal consumers.
This competition is one of the largest, most iconic cannabis events in the state, featuring 12 product categories and thousands of grams of California-grown cannabis products. Judges who purchase a kit at participating dispensaries will have approximately 60 days to review products on taste, aroma, burnability and more, with category winners announced at an awards ceremony on July 20 at 4:20 p.m. Winners of the 2023 Cannabis Cup will have their products featured at High Times dispensaries statewide.
“We’re stoked to bring the High Times Cannabis Cup back to California for the third year of the people’s choice competition,” said Mark Kazinec, High Times Vice President of Events and Competitions. “We have a legendary history in California, bringing together a ‘who’s who of weed,’ and since everyone believes that they’re the best already, we can’t wait to hear the feedback from the California cannabis community.”
This year’s Cannabis Cup features 12 product categories including non-solvent and solvent concentrate categories, along with returning fan favorites including flower, edibles, beverages and more. Judging kits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to the public Saturday, May 20 at High Times dispensaries, plus High Times delivery, and key partner locations. Kits will feature 8-28 samples dependent on the category, allowing judges to compare a variety of local brands, from large commercial growers to smaller scale operations in a head-to-head competition.
Kit pricing is estimated between $99-$250 depending on the category. Each array of product samples comes in a signature High Times tie-dye or black tote bag that includes a scorecard pass giving judges access to the online judging portal. Judges are asked to submit detailed comments on aesthetics, aroma, taste and effects of each product, giving judges just under two months to sample the product and submit feedback by July 10. All feedback will be evaluated and tallied to determine California’s best cannabis in every category, with winners announced in an online award show on July 24.
Cannabis Cup traces its roots back to Amsterdam and started in 1988 as an international competition recognizing the best cannabis products on the planet. The People’s Choice format began in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and has given everyday cannabis users the opportunity to have their voices heard and join the ranks of iconic Cannabis Cup judges like Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson. Starting May 20, judging kits will be available to the public at High Times dispensaries across the state, in addition to key partner dispensaries.
High Times Cannabis Cup SoCal 2023 is presented by Traditional and made possible by official intake and transfer partner Moxie. Other sponsors include Honey, Top-Shelf Cultivation, and Heights. For contest rules, as well as a list of California’s previous Cannabis Cup winners visit cannabiscup.com/socal-2023.
Dispensaries carrying 2023 SoCal Cannabis Cup judging kits:
HIGH TIMES BLYTHE – 1894 E Hobson Way, Blythe, CA 92225
HIGH TIMES COALINGA – 286 North 5th St, Coalinga, CA 93210
HIGH TIMES OAKLAND – 7817 Oakport St, Oakland, CA 94621
HIGH TIMES REDDING – 345 Hemsted Dr, Redding, CA 96002
HIGH TIMES SAN BERNARDINO – 590 S E St, San Bernardino, CA 92408
HIGH TIMES SHASTA LAKE – 1550 Locust St, Shasta Lake, CA 96019
HAVE A HEART – 709 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
KUSH ALLEY – 16733 Schoenborn St, Los Angeles, CA 91343
Categories for SoCal’s Cannabis Cup 2023 include:
Indica Flower
Sativa Flower
Hybrid Flower
Pre-Rolls
Infused Pre-Rolls
Solvent Concentrates
Non-Solvent Concentrates
(New for 2023)
Vape Pens and Cartridges
Edibles: Gummies & Fruit Chews
Edibles: Chocolates & Non-Gummies
Edibles: Beverages
Sublinguals, Capsules, Tinctures + Topicals
Key Dates for SoCal Cannabis Cup 2023:
May 10-15:
Intake for participating brands
May 20:
Judging kits become available across California
April 20 – July 10:
Judging timeframe
July 24:
Award show announcing winners
About High Times
For more than 47 years, High Times has been the world’s most well-known cannabis brand – championing the lifestyle and educating the masses on the benefits of this natural flower. From humble beginnings as a counterculture lifestyle publication, High Times has evolved into a rapidly growing network of cannabis dispensaries, the host and creator of industry-leading events like the Cannabis Cup, the producer of globally distributed merchandise, benefactor of international licensing deals and provider of content for millions of fans and supporters across the globe. In the world of Cannabis, High Times is the most trusted arbiter of quality. For more information on High Times visit hightimes.com.
