This year marks the 13th time cannabis connoisseurs from across North America will gather in the so-called Emerald Triangle — an area in Northern California comprising the counties of Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity – famous for producing top-quality medical cannabis.
But it will be the first since California voters decided last month to approve Proposition 64 allowing recreational use along with medicinal.
Founded by Tim Blake in 2003 at Area 101, the Emerald Cup celebrates the passion of California’s best cultivators, breeders, artisan hash makers, edibles creators, and topicals makers. Now hosted at Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa and running Dec. 10-11, the Emerald Cup has grown from a few hundred people to ten thousand attendees. As a world-famous competition, the event pits California’s top growers head to head as experienced judges test the fruits of their labours.
Craig Ex, better known as the “The Expert of Expert Joints” on Pot TV, is making his first trek to the massive marijuana meet-up and said he is psyched to sample some newly nearly legal wares.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what it is all about and sampling some of the finest cannabis products in the world said Ex, who is hoping to help negotiate an expansion of Cannabis Culture dispensaries into Montreal before flying south for the event. “The legalization initiative is a big step for California and will likely have an affect on this and many events going forward in the future. I am excited to see what they come up with but I believe the regs don’t fully come into play until into January 2017 so I’m not sure if their overall climate will have changed much for this event. The attitude and the spirit, I’m sure will be quite exciting.”
Each valid entry will receive a full spectrum test (potency, microbiological, and pesticide) from SC LABS. Included is the Terpene testing (on all flower and concentrate entries) in recognition of the extremely important role terpenes play in how we interact and are drawn towards cannabis. Also included is the microbiological and pesticide testing for every entry to ensure judges don’t have to partake in any medicine that could possibly harm one’s health.
The event features a wide range of live music, speakers, workshops, pre-parties and more. Click here to find out more.
THE 2016 EMERALD CUP AWARD CATEGORIES:
FLOWERS
The Top 20
Breeders Cup Award
Best Terpene Profile Award
CONCENTRATES
Icewater
Rosin
Dry Sieve
CO2 EXTRACTS
The Top 5 C02 Extracts
TOPICALS
The Top 5 Topicals
The Top 5 Edibles
TINCTURES – SUBLINGUALS
The Top 5 Tinctures
Flower
Concentrate
Sublingual
Edible
REGENERATIVE FARM AWARD
Awarded to the farm that demonstrates the most regenerative and sustainable farming practices.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Awards to be given to recognize people who have done exceptional work to advance the cannabis community, awareness, and industry.