The High Times Cannabis Cup is set to make its debut in New Jersey, bringing the popular awards ceremony to the Garden State for the first time. The event, dubbed the “Oscars of weed,” was launched by High Times magazine in the 1980s and is known for its people-centered approach to judging. In this format, cannabis consumers will have the opportunity to decide which products are the best in the state.
The New Jersey Cup will feature a “People’s Choice” format, where consumers can sample entries from over 50 brands and rate them on various categories such as aesthetics, aroma, taste, effects, and overall quality. To participate, individuals must be 21 years or older and can purchase an official judge kit online or at participating dispensaries across the state.
Each judge kit comes with a limited-edition High Times tote bag, over 100 official competition entries, a physical scorecard, and a link to the official Cannabis Cup Judging Portal. The event is expected to bring together the cannabis community in New Jersey and celebrate the plant and its culture.
The High Times Cannabis Cup has gained popularity in recent years, and its success in New York earlier this year has paved the way for its introduction in New Jersey. According to Josh Kesselman, publisher of High Times and founder of RAW Rolling Papers, the event is all about putting the power of judging back in the hands of the people, and the response has been overwhelming.
“We’re taking the massive success of the New York Cannabis Cup and rolling that energy straight into New Jersey,” said Kesselman. “What we saw in New York proved something powerful. When you put the judging back in the hands of the people, the whole community shows up. The Cannabis Cup has always been about celebrating the plant and the culture around it, and bringing that spirit to the Garden State is going to be awesome.”
