Steve Jobs once said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” And in California’s highly competitive cannabis market, you need to have heart—and a product that screams “Pick me!” Higgs cannabis Founder Oliver Higgins can successfully check both those boxes.
“I’ve been a joint smoker since I bought my first bag of weed, rolled up a joint and played Goldeneye on N64,” Higgins says. “So that love affair was always going to be the first product I created.”
The Los Angeles native founded his eponymous cannabis lifestyle brand in 2017 to create exceptional, high-quality products for recreational users seeking an unparalleled cannabis experience. “Our goal is to spread happiness,” Higgins says. The stylized branding and good-vibes-only, retro-nineties aesthetic represents the essence of the SoCal lifestyle.
Higgins believes that cannabis consumption is more than just a means of relaxation; it’s a lifestyle choice that fosters a sense of belonging and place. “Growing up in Southern California, there were so many outdoor activities where weed is a welcome addition, from surfing, skiing, golfing, hiking, to just going to the movies,” he says. “I wanted to create something that could be a part of all those adventures while simultaneously being something where if you left it on the restaurant table, people asked, ‘What is that?’ without even knowing it was cannabis. My favorite part is when someone opens the box up for the first time without knowing what’s inside and seeing their reaction.”
Higgs Cannabis Is Created for the SoCal Lifestyle
Meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to excellence are the guiding principles that shape the Higgs brand. This steadfast dedication is palpable in the refined taste, enticing aroma and impeccable presentation of every Higgs product. Each item is a testament to the pursuit of crafting an extraordinary experience that exceeds expectations, leaving a lasting impression on discerning connoisseurs who appreciate the finer nuances of exceptional cannabis offerings.
“As a lifelong cannabis user and joint smoker, I make sure we take an artisanal approach in every aspect of our business,” Higgins says. “From hand-selecting the finest genetics to carefully monitoring our cultivation and production processes, we maintain the highest standards of craftsmanship.”
The brand’s strive for perfection has enabled Higgins and his team to consistently deliver cutting-edge creations, setting a benchmark for unrivaled consistency and uncompromising quality. By continuously staying at the forefront of emerging trends and anticipating consumer demands, Higgs cannabis products exude a sense of freshness and excitement, captivating and delighting an ever-growing audience.
Higgs offers an expansive array of products thoughtfully catered to the diverse palates and preferences of cannabis consumers who embrace the Southern Californian lifestyle and want their products to be cool, casual and carefree. The product portfolio encompasses personally curated flowers, masterfully crafted pre-rolls, convenient infused mini-joints and delightfully flavorful live resin vapes. Every product is a testament to the careful craftsmanship of Higgs’ collaborative team of cultivators, scientists and product developers.
Higgs pre-rolls are available in indica, sativa and hybrid.
Expansion Plans Into Canada
Higgs is proudly preparing an expansion into Canada. The product line will feature
the finest small-batch craft cannabis sourced from legacy growers and passionate microprocessors spanning from Newfoundland to British Columbia.
Higgins says the same lifestyle ethos of the original SoCal launch exists in Canada.
“I have so many fond memories of smoking weed in Canada over the years that it feels as natural to launch there as launching in California,” he says. “I believe that Canadians have always embraced the culture of cannabis.”
Higgins says that America’s delays in reaching federal legalization have hindered efforts to join the international conversation. “It’s exciting to be dealing with actual set rules, regulations and real government bodies,” he says of the northern expansion.
The first products in Canada will be jarred flower available exclusively at all Oceanic Releaf retail stores and coffee shops in Newfoundland.
As Higgs continues to evolve and expand, the company remains dedicated to delivering exceptional products and transformative experiences. With a steadfast commitment to pushing boundaries, Higgs endeavors to elevate the cannabis industry to new heights and redefine the very standards of excellence within it.
But beyond premium products, Higgins says, Higgs is a mindset, a way of life. “I just want people to be happy, and I think cannabis does that for a lot of people in many different ways,” he says. “Higgs, to me, means happiness.”
Earlier this month, we announced the launch of the High Times Cannabis Cup People’s Edition in Michigan, but now we’re hyping up the West Coast for the return of its own People’s Choice Awards! Welcome to the High Times Cannabis Cup SoCal: People’s Choice Edition 2023, a recreational-only competition celebrating some of the best cannabis products in the region.
The SoCal Cannabis Cup was first introduced in 2015, where it thrived as an in-person event between 2015-2019. Back in 2015, strains like Flower Bomb Kush, True OG, and Amnesia Haze were the cream of the crop, and categories like “Best Booth” and “Best Glass” were still commonplace. The pandemic may have put a halt to in-person events, but the People’s Choice has taken the nation by storm, with a People’s Choice competition held for SoCal in both 2020 (with winners announced in 2021) and 2022. In 2021, huge favorites like Biscotti, Gelonade, and Lemon Sponge Cake took first place, among a varied selection of pre-rolls, edibles, and more. Our 2022 SoCal: People’s Choice Edition was one of the biggest cups so far, with winners such as Top Shelf Cultivation’s Whoa Si Whoa, Sense’s Pink Certz Flower, Wizard Trees’s Studio 54, and Team Elite Genetics’s Pearadise Flower—just a few of the amazing strains that won over our judges.
Fast forward to this year’s High Times Cannabis Cup SoCal: People’s Choice Edition 2023, and we’re expecting another exciting collection of products to experience. With that in mind, here’s the schedule for this year: Product submissions will be dropped off at the Moxie Lynwood facility between May 8-10. Then our official intake partner, Moxie, will build the judge kits and then we’ll transport the kits to all participating High Times and Have a Heart retailers. On May 20, judge kits will officially go on sale! Judges will have between May 21 to July 10 to test out their goodies, submitting their thoughts on product differentiators such as aesthetics, aroma/scent, taste/flavor, effects/effectiveness, and so much more.
According to High Times Director of Competitions Mark Kaz, 2021 was a record-breaking year in terms of participation. “Twenty-one Cups, 339 brands, 1,389 batches of entries, all judged by about 15,000 judges who helped crown 249 award-winners for best products in their state,” Kaz said. “Our industry is going through a tough recession, restrictive regulations, and plenty of other woes, but one thing that’s for certain is that people want to find out who has the best weed, and we’re here to help.”
For companies who want to submit products for this year’s competition, please refer to the following rules.
Entry Categories:
Indica Flower (2 entries max per company)
Sativa Flower (2 entries max per company)
Hybrid Flower (2 entries max per company)
Pre-Rolls (2 entries max per company)
Infused Pre-Rolls (1 entry max per company)
Solvent Concentrates (2 entries max per company)
Non-Solvent Concentrates (2 entries max per company)
Vape Pens & Cartridges (2 entries max per company)
Edibles: Gummies & Fruit Chews (3 entries max per company)
Edibles: Chocolates & Non-Gummies (3 entries max per company)
Edibles: Beverages (2 entries max per company)
Sublinguals, Capsules, Tinctures + Topicals (3 entries max per company)
Entry Requirements:
Flower: (228) 1-gram samples. We will not accept any 3.5-gram entries.
Pre-Rolls & Infused Pre-Rolls: (228) samples: Pre-Rolls will be capped at 2g flower-only each; Infused Pre-Rolls will be capped at 3g flower equivalency or 1g concentrate equivalency each.
Concentrates & Vape Pens: (228) .5-gram samples. We will not accept any 1-gram entries. Batteries required for Carts.
Edibles: (100) samples with 100mg THC max.
Beverages: must be a max of 16 fluid ounces, non-glass containers preferred.
Sublinguals, Capsules, Tinctures + Topicals: (60) samples with 500mg THC max
In terms of submission pricing, competitors should note the entry fees depending on how many products they submit. While one entry is $250, and two entries is $100 per entry (both non-refundable), submissions of three or more entries is a $100 refundable deposit per entry held, which is refunded when all entries are successfully submitted. Finally, if you’d like to sponsor this year’s High Times Cannabis Cup SoCal: People’s Choice Edition 2023 then all entry fees are waived. We also offer multiple tiers of sponsorship, including General, Bronze, Silver, and Presenting Sponsorships.
That sums up the details of our event this year but check out our High Times Cannabis Cup website to view all of the details.
Judging the High Times Cannabis Cup People’s Choice Edition is a rare opportunity to be directly involved in the outcome of the ultimate quest for the dankest, most flavor-packed flower strains and concentrates.
Each cannabis tournament has its respective perks, and there are many events to choose from. But the High Times Cannabis Cup, launched in Rotterdam, Holland in 1987 by longtime editor Steven Hager, is the OG competition. It was the first major cannabis tournament to take place. Only a handful of seed companies entered the first Cannabis Cup in ’87, and about 30 people attended. Skunk #1 was the original winner, placing first and setting the stage for promoting and celebrating individual cannabis cultivars. It wasn’t until the event’s sixth year that attendance surpassed 800.
Over time, Cannabis Cup events have been held everywhere from Jamaica to Alaska. Nowadays, High Times provides People’s Choice events that are judged using an entirely different structure and scheme. Instead of only allowing a select list of seasoned experts to evaluate the weed, the competition is open to all participants who pay to join in. No person is excluded from the pool of judges, regardless of their level of professional expertise.
Courtesy of Mark Kazinec
Judging the People’s Choice Edition
It was an honor to serve as a judge for the High Times Cannabis Cup People’s Choice Edition: SoCal 2022 this year. Judge Kits in Southern California became available to High Times store loyalty members on May 13 and the general public the next day. Entries were due on July 10, about two months later, and on July 24, the winners were announced. This timeline gives judges about 60 days to review each strain—the perfect amount of time to have a full day to savor each strain’s aroma, taste, and other aspects with a clear flavor palate. Judges can easily smoke or vape each entry on a different day or hours apart to avoid confusing any of the effects with one another.
I headed on over to the High Times San Bernardino store, the nearest location to where I live, to grab a Judge Kit and see for myself how this process works. While I’ve contributed to the magazine for a number of years, I’ve never visited a High Times dispensary before, until now.
Walking into a High Times store alone is enough to induce a sense of awe and wonder, let alone the ultra-dank scent emitting from backpacks stacked up behind the registers. The long legacy of High Times magazine, stretching back to 1974, becomes more pronounced when you see the decor inside. Legendary High Times magazine issue covers from times in the past adorn some of the walls. Everything in the store is aligned with the High Times classic red, white, and black color scheme.
The backpacks were lined up neatly with a label indicating which category they fall under. The categories are the following: Indica Flower, Sativa Flower, Hybrid Flower, Pre-rolls, Infused Pre-rolls, Solventless Concentrates, Vape Pens, Edibles: Gummies, Edibles: Non-Gummies, Edibles: Beverages, and the final category is Topicals, Tinctures and Capsules. Each Judge Kit in the SoCal Cup has a market value of up to $280, pre-tax.
I felt like a child seeing Willy Wonka’s factory for the first time when I opened the backpack. Some strains were purple, others even deeper purples. Others were frosted with white crystals or covered in orange hairs. Some were dense nugs, while others were fluffy buds with wispy sugar leaves still intact. Practically every strain had a set of unique characteristics that became more apparent the more I gazed at them. I didn’t know where to start.
“Each kit comes complete with all of the entries from that category,” High Times Director of Events Mark Kazinec says as he hands me my backpack. “So, for example, Indica Flower has 22 different 1 gram units from different brands, different strains. It’s all wrapped up in a High Times backpack.”
The backpacks have the High Times logo embroidered on the front and the High Times Cannabis Cup People’s Choice Edition: SoCal 2022 logo embroidered on the side pocket. Each backpack is stuffed with cannabis entries and includes a scorecard inside. The scorecard gives judges an access code to the judging portal. The 1 gram size is perfect—enough for up to several bowls each.
The scorecard indicates where to go to rate each strain, how to log in, and so forth. An email is automatically sent to confirm each time a strain review is submitted. The emails also serve as a placement point to know which strains have already been completed. In the event that a judge accidentally turns in two strain ratings, the most recent submission is selected by default. Judges assess how each strain looks, tastes, smells, effects, and burns on a scale of one to 10.
Benjamin M. Adams / Courtesy of Mark Kazinec
Judging Flower for the First Time
The SoCal judging marks not only the first year I’ve judged a Cannabis Cup event, but also the first year I’ve judged any cannabis tournament, for that matter.
In my case, I went to CannabisCup.com, then clicked the red judging portal button, verified my age, and selected Cannabis Cup People’s Choice Edition: SoCal 2022. Then I selected Hybrid Flower, the type of Judge Kit that I signed up to receive. Finally, I picked my first strain to review, Jealousy by LitHouse, a cross between Gelato #41 and Sherbet—two strains most aficionados are well familiar with.
My sample of Jealousy had a lower total THC content compared to the others in my bag at 29%, but it was what I describe as “two notches” stronger than I anticipated. To compare, Feria, aka “The Fetti,” by Green Dragon contained 39% THC and 2.68% terpenes. Feria is believed to be Pie Hole (Cherry Pie x OGKB) crossed with Secret Cake, Secret Cookies, or both. Just about every entry provided lab results showing cannabinoid content and sometimes terpene content.
“I loved breaking apart the bud leaves with my fingers to reveal the plum stripes with lime hints and great spongy nug structure,” I wrote of Jealousy in the judge’s portal. It had an earthy yet funky taste, which I described as pleasant but not bold, with a distinct sweet but piney aroma. I also was prompted to describe burnability, visual appeal, and so on. And this is just the first entry that I sampled! I still had 20 more strains to go through. I felt a little rusty on my first entry, and my descriptions of each aspect of the flower rating scale got longer as I went on.
Inside the portal, I’m prompted to rank the strain 1-10 in the following parameters: aesthetics/texture, aroma/scent, taste, burnability, effects, and terpene profile. The portal asks one question at a time, and when you hit enter, the next question immediately appears. It also asks me to describe several aspects of the strain.
Grandi Guava (Guava x Gelato) by Triple Seven immediately caught my eye with shelf appeal upon my initial visual inspection. The purple-plum sugar leaves were almost completely snowed over in trichomes to the point that you couldn’t see the bud leaf color very well. It looked diabolical. I felt a wave of excitement go through my body. On the other hand, the Vanilla Dice by Claybourne Co., with unknown parentage, was a darker green with trichomes that are much more white in color. It did give off a close to a creamy vanilla whiff, but it was very subtle, almost indiscernible.
Hyped-up strains like Pink Certz by Sense (The Menthol x Grape Gasoline) provided more sativa daytime effects than the indica-dominant hybrids and a complex flavor of bold berries and mint. Pink Certz also has a wicked look and shelf appeal with dark green buds covered in white-beige trichomes.
A person on Twitter asked me if judging cannabis is like judging wine, and I admitted that they are indeed similar. Both come from plants that produce a myriad of flavor and aroma profiles. Selections can vary in bite, body, bouquet, finish, etc. The cannabis industry uses different words, but the general idea is the same. Finished flower can rival the finest French wine in taste, color, aroma, and exquisiteness.
All of the strains are strong contenders, so it’s pertinent to keep in mind that judges compare them one to another, and not all are going to receive 10s, even though just about every entry is impressive.
Kazinec isn’t interested in descriptions by judges who only put in half of the effort. The portal even provided me with an example of a good strain assessment.
“We want people to be detail-oriented; we want them to say, ‘I opened it up, I smelled lemony diesel aromas, bright green fluffy buds, orange hairs, went on a hike with my friend,’ you know this and that,” Kazinec says. “We don’t want people to say, ‘They smell good, got me high.’ That’s not helpful.”
Keep in mind that all of the strains are going to be strong, as farmers and brands will only enter in only the finest flowers that represent their companies best.
“All of these responses go back to the vendors who put their heart and soul into creating these products that are literally picking their best yields or best buds to put in this cup,” Kazinec says. “We want the judges to also do the same thing and put their time and effort into this. They have 60 days to judge all of their products. And yeah, we want people to be very thorough and very detailed.”
Courtesy of Mark Kazinec
Air of Inclusiveness
Not everyone can be a grower who has been in the biz for over 30 years. People’s Cup is about including all.
“People’s Choice is now open to everyone,” Kazinec says. “We want people from all walks of life, whether you’re an OG grower who knows exactly how to describe, you know, limonene and myrcene, terpene profiles, but we also want the new consumers who, you know, are trading out their glass of wine for a joint at the end of the night, people who are very experienced, people [who are] are not very experienced. All of that is part of the wide demographic of cannabis consumers. We want to capture everybody.”
Kazinec explains that the feedback from all these different types of people will help inform these brands to better understand what is working and what’s not working.
“This is now People’s Choice,” Kazinec says. “It’s open to everybody. It’s not reserved for the Snoop Doggs and Willie Nelsons or the High Times homies, you know, from 40 years ago, so it’s the perfect opportunity for those who have been waiting or for those who are just finding out about this judging opportunity to take advantage and see who’s the best.”
In my Hybrid Flower judge kit, Green Dragon, Claybourne Co., Wizard Trees, and Canndescent had stellar contenders that stood out. However, I cannot reveal all of my observations quite yet, as the competition is still in motion as I write this article. My advice is, as always, it’s best not to get too caught up in the packaging, as it has nothing to do with the actual quality of the flower.
Judging a Cannabis Cup was everything I’d hoped it would be and more. I learned about some new strains, I got to compare them to each other, and I feel like I know more about flower now than I did when I started judging. Would I do it again? Most definitely, and I encourage others to do so themselves.
Anyone who is willing is worthy of becoming a High Times Cannabis Cup: People’s Choice Edition judge. Visit cannabiscup.com to learn more and find events closer to your home state.
Another superb Cannabis Cup has come and gone, and here are the highly anticipated results of the High Times Cannabis Cup SoCal: People’s Choice Edition 2022! Thanks to everyone who stopped by our digital awards stream on July 24, where we introduced all of the first, second, and third place winners at this year’s SoCal People’s Choice Edition. If you missed the stream, you can catch the video here on our Facebook page, but we’ve also put together an extensive list of all of our amazing SoCal winners for you to enjoy.
This was the second-ever competition that was open to consumer judges in SoCal, and it was also one of the largest pools of judges that we’ve seen so far! The last High Times Cannabis Cup SoCal: People’s Choice Edition was held back in 2020, which highlighted an equally awesome selection of cannabis products to check out. But it’s been long overdue to revisit what kind of new strains and products have been gaining popularity in Southern California—and here we are.
Judges were provided a wide variety of unique products, many of which are exclusive to the Southern California cannabis market. From flower and pre-rolls to concentrates and edibles, we can’t thank you enough for dedicating your time and efforts to not only trying all of these amazing new products, but providing excellent feedback too.
Don’t forget you can check out the most up-to-date news on Cannabiscup.com to see the winners of all of our recent People’s Choice competitions, including Colorado, Illinois, Alaska, and Massachusetts.
Indica Flower
First Place: Top-Shelf Cultivation – Whoa Si Whoa Flower
Courtesy of Top-Shelf Cultivation
Second Place: Team Elite Genetics – Styrofoam Cup Flower
Courtesy of Team Elite Genetics
Third Place: Triple Seven – Pancakes #7
Courtesy of Triple Seven
Sativa Flower
First Place: Team Elite Genetics – Pearadise Flower
Courtesy of Team Elite Genetics
Second Place: Triple Seven – Super Boof
Courtesy of Triple Seven
Third Place: Green Dragon – Tropical Slushie
Courtesy of Green Dragon
Hybrid Flower
First Place: Sense – Pink Certz Flower
Courtesy of Sense
Second Place: LitHouse – Jealousy Flower
Courtesy of LitHouse
Third Place: Wizard Trees – Studio 54
Courtesy of Wizard Trees
Pre-Rolls
First Place: Top-Shelf Cultivation – Whoa Si Whoa Pre-Roll
Courtesy of Top-Shelf Cultivation
Second Place: Green Dragon – Southern Belle Pre-Roll
Courtesy of Green Dragon
Third Place: Pivot – Holy Grail Pre-Roll
Courtesy of Pivot
Infused Pre-Rolls
First Place: Jeeter – Watermelon Zkittlez Infused Pre-Roll
Courtesy of Jeeter
Second Place: Baby Dojah – Watermelon Blast Solventless infused Pre-Roll
Courtesy of Baby Dojah
Third Place: Terp Stix – Blackberry Infused Pre-roll
Courtesy of Terp Stix
Solvent Concentrates
First Place: Bear Labs – Kiwi Thin Mintz Diamonds
Courtesy of Bear Labs
Second Place: Jetty Extracts – Super Lemon Haze Live Resin
Courtesy of Jetty Extracts
Third Place: URSA – Sunset Wave Live Resin
Courtesy of URSA
Vape Pens & Cartridges
First Place: PAX – Live Rosin with Natural Diamonds Blue Dream for PAX Era Vape
Courtesy of PAX
Second Place: High 90’s – Pineapple Disposable Vape
Courtesy of High 90’s
Third Place: Jetty Extracts – Banana Punch Cartridge
Second Place: Marmas – Georgia Peach Marmalade Bite
Courtesy of Marmas
Third Place: Kiva – Camino Sours Watermelon Spritz
Courtesy of Kiva
Edibles: Non-Gummies
First Place: Bhang – Blueberry Dark Chocolate
Courtesy of Bhang
Second Place: Kiva – Lost Farm Chews Strawberry GG4
Courtesy of Kiva
Third Place: Hi-Burst – Sour Raspberry Lemonade Fruit Chew
Courtesy of Hi-Burst
Edibles: Beverages
First Place: Mari y Juana – Piña Soft Drink
Courtesy of Mari y Juana
Second Place: Keef – Mocktail Fruit Punch
Courtesy of Keef
Third Place: Drink LOUD – Pink Lemonade Potion
Courtesy of Drink LOUD
Topicals
First Place: Dr. May – Balance Pro Topical Balm 1:1
Courtesy of Dr. May
Second Place: THC Living – Topical Patch 60mg
Courtesy of THC Living
Third Place: Jetty Extracts – Hand Sanitizer (*Made with Cannabis-Derived Terpenes)
Courtesy of Jetty Extracts
Tincture + Capsules
First Place: Kan+Ade – Extra Strength Watermelon 500mg THC Syrup
Courtesy of Kan+Ade
Second Place: The Root of It All – GO Focused Energy Tincture
Courtesy of The Root of It All
Third Place: Click – GO Spray
Courtesy of Click
A big thank you to our partners and sponsors!
Top-Shelf Cultivation – Presenting Sponsor – A tried and true crew of cultivators who are no stranger to the Cannabis Cup winners podium. After winning Cup after Cup and continually strengthening year after year, these guys are ready to show you who the top dogs are. Shout out to Kevin and the team. AMBER – Silver Sponsor – AMBER is crafted by connoisseurs, for connoisseurs. We’ve tried a handful of their products and definitely give the stamp of approval. ROVE – Bronze Sponsor – If you don’t know who ROVE is, you must be living under a rock. A wonderful team that brings consistently amazing products to the market, with new product lines coming out just as your cartridges go empty. Green Dragon – Our official dispensary partner that had lines of judges waiting outside in San Francisco down to Palm Springs ready to get their judge kits. Big Oil Transport – The judge kits would not have arrived to all dispensaries without the incredible team at Big Oil for being our official transport partner. Huge thank you to Jason and the team! High 90s – General Sponsor – High 90s has made their name in the industry with a popular line of no-frills disposable vape pens for with a color and flavor for everyone in the family. Our favorite? Double Cup. CCELL – Official Battery Partner – Because who doesn’t need some of the best vape pen batteries in the world right in your judge kit? All Vape Pen Judge Kits came with CCELL batteries to ensure your puffs never ran out of juice.
Last but not least, BIG Thank you to Eric, Peter and the whole team at the Honey team in Maywood, we couldn’t have done this without you.
The High Times Cannabis Cup SoCal: People’s Choice 2022 will be the largest competition held in SoCal in history, with more than 2,200 judge kits and 12 categories.
High Times Cannabis Cups have a long legacy of success in the state of California, and this upcoming People’s Choice event is no exception.
“High Times has hosted the coveted Cannabis Cups in California for many, many years, bringing together cannabis enthusiasts from all over the country and awarding the best products in The Golden State,” said Mark Kazinec, High Times Director, Competitions & Events.
“For People’s Choice Cups, this marks only the second-ever Cup where judging is open to everyone in the Southern California region, bringing in a wider and more diverse pool of judges to crown the best of California. Just last year, we saw hundreds of entries across 10 categories with more diverse strains and products than ever before.
“Connected, Green Dragon, and Sovereign reigned supreme in the flower categories and will be ones to top this year, while Kiva and TONIK proved to be the most effective and delicious edibles amongst the state’s competition. We’re very excited to see legacy brands and new brands alike enter their best for this year’s Cup, with new categories added to the mix.”
California is known as one of the hotbeds in the U.S. for legal weed, even after so many have followed in the legalization footsteps, and the state’s offerings drive this point home.
“In my humble opinion, California still holds the crown for the leader in cannabis in the United States,”Kazinec added. “From Humboldt to Palm Desert, there are so many talented cultivators and processors, and we aim to provide the opportunity for judges to help determine who truly has the best products in various diverse categories that suit consumer tastes.”
For those who are interested in participating as a Judge, be sure to mark your calendars. Judge kits go on-sale May 13 for Loyalty Members and May 14 for General public via High Times Delivery and Retail channels.
We wish the best of luck to all participants!
SoCal Entry Categories:
Indica Flower (3 entries Max per Company)
Sativa Flower (3 entries Max per Company)
Hybrid Flower (3 entries Max per Company)
Pre-Rolls (2 entries Max per Company)
Infused Pre-Rolls (1 entries Max per Company)
Solvent Concentrates (2 entries Max per Company)
Non-Solvent Concentrates (2 entries Max per Company)
Vape Pens & Cartridges (2 entries Max per Company) (Category may split)
Edibles: Gummies (3 entries Max per Company)
Edibles: Non-Gummies (3 entries Max per Company)
Edibles: Beverages (2 entries Max per Company)
Sublinguals, Capsules, Tinctures + Topicals (3 Entries Max per Company)
Entry Requirements:
Flower: (228) 1-gram samples. We will not accept any 3.5-gram entries. Pre-Rolls & Infused Pre-Rolls: (228) samples: Pre-Rolls will be capped at 2g flower-only each; Infused Pre-Rolls will be capped at 3g flower or 1g concentrate equivalency each. Concentrates & Vape Pens: (228) 0.5-gram samples. We will not accept any 1-gram entries. Batteries required for carts. Edibles: (100) samples with 100mg THC max Sublinguals, Capsules, Tinctures + Topicals: (60) samples with 500mg THC max
Entry Pricing:
1 entry: $500 2 entries: $250 each, for a total of $500 3 or more entries: Fees will be waived
This April, a massive 420 event, packed with an impressive lineup of hip-hop and rap musicians, is heading to Southern California.
The Smoker’s Club Festival is an 18+ event will be held at the Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California, on Saturday, April 30—a destination that has been popularly chosen as the location for many other cannabis-related events in the past. If you’ve been looking for a sign to get out there and celebrate 420 in the sun, rather than in your living room, this is it. The Smoker’s Club announced the good news on January 20. “WE’RE BACK. APRIL 30. SO CAL,” The Smoker’s Club wrote on social media.
The 2022 event headliners include Kid Cudi, A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, Schoolboy Q (performing hits off his album Oxymoron), Wiz Khalifa (performing songs off his mixtape Kush & Orange Juice), 2 Chainz and so many more. Kid Cudi was busy in 2021, not only because he headlined Rolling Loud LA, but he also hinted that he’s got two albums in the works for 2022. Likewise A$AP Rocky headlined Rolling Loud Miami and ComplexCon 2021 last year and teased in a GQ interview that his new album, tentatively called All Smiles, would be released in the future.
This lineup has a lot in common with The Smoker’s Club Festival in 2018, which was held in Long Beach, California. Among its headliners were also Kid Cudi, Wiz Khalifa and Schoolboy Q, as well as Rashad, Ty Dolla $ign, Dom Kennedy, Lil Skies and Mac Miller prior to his passing.
Courtesy of The Smoker’s Club Festival
This year’s The Smoker’s Club Festival is also jam-packed with over 65 artists in the lineup—the poster advertisement contains so many individual acts that they can barely fit all of them on one page. Joey Bada$$, Danny Brown, Rico Nasty, SahBabii, Clams Casino, The Cool Kids, Asher Roth, Kreayshawn—it’s an epic setup that you’re not likely to find anywhere else. It has been a rough few years for musicians who rely on touring and in-person performances, so seeing some of these great groups and individuals in one place is a joyous occasion. Given the vast amount of entertainment contained in this one-of-a-kind event, tickets are priced at $222.99 for general admission, $408.99 for VIP access and $429.00 and up for hotel packages.
Twelve years following that first event, The Smoker’s Club brand now offers high-end streetwear and accessories. Some of their best sellers are oversized hoodies with and premium cotton T-shirts, and the brand also offers a wide variety of beanies, ashtrays, stickers, pins and other accessories as well.
Not to mention that The Smoker’s Club also offers three “connoisseur cannabis” flowers that are all described as hybrid/indica-dominant. Donuts is described as a smooth and robust smoke that has a strange but pleasant “creaminess” at the end of the exhale. Critterz smells of guava and chocolate, with a “gassy essence” but a fruit-cream-like flavor when exhaling. Lastly, Jobstopper brings a heavy fuel profile, but still offers sweet flavors such as vanilla cake, cream cheese frosting and whipped cream.
