California State Fair Adds Marijuana Competition Category

Image: MarihuanayMedicina via Flickr

State and county fairs are known for their charming Americana competitions where judges award prizes to livestock, 4-H booths, crop art, and varieties of plants and produce. And here in California, the state fair is adding a new category of plants and produce. The California State Fair announced Tuesday that they will have a cannabis plant competition in 2022. 

Did you ever think you'd see the day when cannabis gets its own Awards at the #StateFair? We're proud to say that moment has arrived in California.

Here's a better intro to the #CalCannaAwards than we could ever fit into a tweet.👇https://t.co/4L0yeZ7g6y

— CA State Fair Cannabis Awards (@CalCannaAwards) September 21, 2021

“The CA State Fair today announced the addition of the first-ever, state-sanctioned cannabis competition and awards,” the fair announced Tuesday. “The CA State Fair Cannabis Competition and Awards will join a roster of coveted, annual competitions celebrating California’s rich agricultural history and dynamic industries including wine, craft beer, olive oil and cheese.”

California State Fair to start judging pot next year. Yup..as in "best of." This is after all, agriculture in CA. #pot #cannabis @StephenAtHome, take it away.

— Dan Mitchinson (@dmitchinson) September 22, 2021

Unlike most “Cannabis Cup” events, which are thrown by promoters and private companies, the California State Fair Cannabis Competition and Awards will not be judged by washed-up celebrities desperate for a paycheck. It will be judged scientifically by Santa Cruz-based testing laboratory SC Labs.

According to the press release, “The competition is open to all licensed growers in California. Entrants will be classified into three classifications representing three primary divisions for submission by light source: Indoor, Mixed Light and Outdoor. The competition will award medals for the cannabis flower only, showcasing the primary cannabinoids and terpenes expressed in the cannabis flower. A total of 77 medals will be awarded including the coveted Golden Bear trophy for ‘Best of California.’”

The 2022 California State Fair, if it should happen, is scheduled for July 10 – July 26, 2022 at the Cal Expo fairgrounds in Sacramento.