Just over 19 years ago, nestled up on a hill in the redwood trees, the (then underground) cannabis community of Northern California came together to create a friendly competition around cannabis cultivation. 

Hosted at Area 101, a small campground and gathering spot in Laytonville, Mendocino, a group of friends – consisting of passionate cannabis farmers, (now) legacy growers, and stoners – would party together through the night to honor the start of another cultivation season. 

Today, the Emerald Cup Awards just celebrated its 19th year. It’s flourished into an annual competition that holds a highly prestigious accolade for farmers and brands. The intention of this California cannabis competition is driven by a motivation to honor the prestigious farmers and cultivars in the area while celebrating the overall successes of the cannabis community. 

This year, it hosted around 3,000 of California’s biggest brands, farmers, advocates, creatives, and “cannaisseurs” in the industry – all joined together for this reputable competition and celebration. 

For me, as a new-timer to this renowned cannabis competition, and a rookie industry advocate out of the masses that attended, it was an event and experience that I will never forget and always appreciate. 

With each interaction and connection I made with guests throughout the night, I was reminded of the heart and soul that goes into making the Golden State’s cannabis community truly one of a kind. 

A Beautiful Day on the Bay 

Even though it was my first time personally attending the Emerald Cup Awards, I think it’s safe to say this location was arguably one of the best. Set at the Craneway Pavilion, the location was set on 25 acres of property that looked out into a panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay. The clear skies and infinite sunshine throughout the entire Saturday also made for a perfect view of the city’s breathtaking skyline. 

Dated back as a Ford Assembly Plant building in 1931, the Craneway’s historical, state-of-the-art architecture and open-air patio made it the ultimate cannabis-friendly event location. Because of the venue’s blending of indoor and outdoor spaces together, there was a sponsored brand to check out, a complimentary dab rig to hit, or a smoke-friendly section in practically every corner. 

The cannabis brand OCB had rolling papers and trays set up on tables around the venue, which allowed everyone to meet and roll up in between the awards. The Cannabis Media Council had one of the favorite photo booths I’ve seen, with a simple setup for a photo under a big, bold sign that said: “I’m high right now.” 

Among the sponsored booths and setups throughout the event, glass displays presented each and every entry of this year’s Emerald Cup. It was a great way to appreciate and preview the latest brands of this year. In between these displayed entries was a terpene bar that showcased each major terpene in cannabis, followed by a fruit, spice, or plant that correlated with each aromatic compound. 

When dusk hit, the Cup’s venue became even more special. The grand Guild Extracts yacht was docked next to the venue with a full bar of alcohol and cannabis concentrates available for attendees. The boat would occasionally cruise out across the Bay as guests enjoyed the two-story views of the water while smoking on the purely flavorful selection of Guild’s batter, live rosin, and diamonds. 

Not Your Typical Trophy 

One of the many specific details of this specific cannabis awards ceremony was the amount of creative devotion that went into the entire production. 

To accompany the actual awards given to first-place winners, the winning brands in the cannabis concentrate category were awarded exclusive Puff Peak Pro trophies – created in collaboration with Puffco and glass artists Jared Cortland and Ryan Fitt. 

To see such a talented cluster of artists, advocates, and farmers collaborate to make this cannabis awards ceremony so special truly shows the pride and passion for the community. 

And the Winner Is… 

Over the years, the Emerald Cup Awards has evolved from an intimate gathering and casual contest into a full-out cannabis competition of over 30 categories and more than 50 judges. This reminded me a lot of the evolution of cannabis in general, with new and innovative products emerging each year. 

Of the many categories and brands that placed in this year’s awards, here are a few of the many that stood out that night: 

Sungrown Flower 

1st Place: Rebel Grown - Double OG Chem #15 

2nd Place: Naughty Squirrel -  Venom OG 

3rd Place: Greenshock Farms - Peppermint Sleigh Ride 

Mixed-Light Flower 

1st Place: Ridgeline Farms - LANTZ 

2nd Place: Preferred Gardens x Doja Pak - 11:11 

3rd Place: Local Cannabis Co. - Florida Kush 

Indoor Flower 

1st Place: Fig Farms - Blue Face 

2nd Place: Sense - Gas Face 

3rd: Cannabiotix - French Alps 

Pre-Roll - Infused Solventless Extract 

1st Place: Heritage Hash Co. x Huckleberry Hill Farms - Whitethorn Rose flower x Whitethorn Rose Live Bubble Hash (can I just say, I had the honor of trying this pre-roll during the weekend and…wow!) *You can read the special review of this cultivar by Shelley Peebles in Volume 13 of FNM

2nd Place: Holy Smoke by Holy Water - Holy Smokes Papaya 

3rd Place: Arcata Fire x Humboldt 36 Farms - Grape Runtz Arcata Fire Hash Hose

Edibles - Gummies 

1st Place: Space Gem - Sour Spacedrops 

2nd Place: P&B Kitchen - Watermelon Chili Gummies 

3rd Place: Lost Farm - Yuzu Fizz Sour Dream Live Rosin Gummies 

Other unique categories included:  

• The “Highest Terpene Content (Presented by SC Labs)” awarded to Sanctuary Farms - Blunicorn

• The  Willie Nelson “Lifetime Achievement Award” was presented to Mila Jansen, the ‘Queen of Hashish’ and inventor of the ice-bubble hash method. 

Celebrating Cannabis All Through the Night 

Well into the night, cheerful energy echoed throughout the event hall as proud farmers and cannabis brands would walk the stage to graciously accept their accolades. 

After the awards ceremony, the seats cleared the venue floor into an area for friends and guests to dance and party ‘til sunrise. The whole event was not just an honorary event for prominent farmers and brands in the state, but a social gathering for the community to let loose and celebrate all their hard work and tireless efforts from the past year. 

For me, the ‘cherry’ on top was getting to smoke some hash washed by Cherry Blossom Belle from Heritage Hash Co., from the Orange Turbo cultivar I helped grow on the Swami Select farm, out of the one and only Frenchy Cannoli’s hookah pipe. It was an extremely delicious and full-circle moment at an Emerald Cup event I will always remember. 

As an appreciative, somewhat foreigner and newbie to the intricate cannabis industry in California, I always love feeling the celebratory spirit these events inspire, bringing the community that much closer together. The ego is left at the door while positive vibes and good, quality cannabis are welcome. No matter the hard times and tough challenges many of these brands have faced, The Emerald Cup is one night to both celebrate and recognize just how far they’ve all come.