Exclusive Emerald Cup interview with Expert Joints

The 14th annual Emerald Cup just wrapped up its craft cannabis-filled weekend in Sonoma County, and every year, it just keeps getting better than ever. CLN was there on the grounds with Craig Ex, aka the expert of Expert Joints, and he told us all about his Emerald Cup experience. 

Find out which musicians and celebrities he bumped into, how he walked almost 30 miles over the weekend, and other Emerald Cup standouts and highlights.

CLN: How was the 2017 Emerald Cup?

Craig: It was great to see the event’s growth and development. The Emerald Cup is continuing its evolution and for 2017, it was more than ever.

I heard it was a busy weekend.

Craig: Yeah we did 24,000 steps on Saturday and 21,000 steps on Sunday, which added up to almost 30 miles for that weekend. It was great.

How did the community come together after the devastating Northern California wildfires back in October?

Craig: The community absolutely stepped up. The Emerald Cup donated almost $50,000 from the entry fees alone- the over 900 entries donated $50 each to the fire relief fund.

I saw the organizers doing everything they could to support the area- there were donation signs everywhere.

Of course, we saw a few burnt out structures and cars, but from where we were in Sonoma County, a lot of it wasn’t particularly visible because places were impacted differently.

It was incredibly impressive to see the community come out strong and put on an amazing event in the face of so much adversity.

It was like the phoenix rising from the ashes, as cliched as that phrase is.

Were you worried by the wildfires currently burning through Southern California?

Craig: You don’t ever want to see anybody going through a natural disaster like that but it didn’t affect me personally or the Emerald Cup.

The fires were like 7-8 hours away from where we were, so that’s like living in Vancouver and having fires up in Prince George. They were actually quite far away.

Can you tell us about a few of the most interesting people you bumped into at the Cup?

Craig: The interview with Berner was awesome- the man behind [Girl Scout] Cookies himself. He’s also a hell of an MC and he was there in the booth with Stinje and they were there releasing all these new products- he also gave me some information on his new album, The Big Pescado, dropping January 16th, and he listed off all the artists who are a part of that.

On top of that I also got to talk to Chali 2na, the rapper from Jurassic 5, and it was super cool. I also got to talk to Frenchy Cannoli- that was crazy.

Of course, I appreciate Tim and Taylor Blake, the organizers of the event, taking the time to see me over and over.

What was cool is a lot of people came up and said hi to me because they watch my show, Expert Joints LIVE!

But of course, the stars of the Emerald Cup are the products. The only problem was I got more stuff than I could take home- I was really tempted to try and get a few in my toiletries bag but at the same time you don’t want to be stupid about it.

What were some of the coolest things you saw?

Craig: There was a very cool solventless sauce- it was a THC-A and terpenes concentrate.

With recreational cannabis set to be legalized in California in January 2018, what do you think the next Emerald Cup will look like?

Craig: Next year they shouldn’t need the 215 Compliance bracelets, but it will change the way people make, package and label the products they’re bringing to the cup and it will change the way the Emerald Cup looks for 2018.

Out of all the cannabis cups and events that you’ve been to, do you have a personal favorite, and why?

Craig: It’s hard not to love 420 here in Vancouver when you have 50-100k people on the beach, and I’ve heard great things about Spannabis but I haven’t been there yet.

It was weird not to be onstage MC’ing and hosting and handing out awards because up here that’s starting to become my shtick a bit.

But I have to say the Emerald Cup is absolutely world class and one of the top 5 events in the world and easily rivals the top 2 events I’ve been to.

Would you judge the Emerald Cup?

Craig: There was a little talk with Taylor Blake about me coming down and judging for 2018 and if they asked me to do it I think I’d be happy to go down there and check out the hundreds of samples- it’d be an honor and privilege.

I don’t think there’s too many people who can say they’ve judged the Emerald Cup, a High Times Cup, a Karma Cup, and a Prairie Cup, and it would be an honor to join the elite ranks of people who have done that.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Craig: I’d like to thank the hosts Tim and Taylor Blake, their team, and everyone that helped make the Emerald Cup happen.

It would’ve been great to get an interview with the Roots but they weren’t doing interviews, but thanks to everyone who did talk to us.