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High Times Cannabis Cup 2020 Underway In Illinois

Zack Murov

by Zack Murov

31 Aug, 20

One of the most important events in the cannabis industry is the High Times Cannabis Cup. For over 30 years, this event has brought attention to the important of cannabis legalization and has been the catalyst in many different brands and strains becoming industry standards.

As the event has grown, High Times has branched out and brought the cup to many different cities around the world. After having gotten its start in Amsterdam, it has made its way to America and has taken place in California, Colorado, Michigan and now Illinois.

In lieu of the usual festival setting fans have become accustomed to attending, this year High Times has decided to make the Cup a public event! Dubbed ” The People’s Choice Edition”, this year judging will open to the public and more than 225 kits have been produced for each category. In the past, judges have been limited to less than 30 participants.

Distribution of the judging kits began last month and the awards ceremony is scheduled for the end of September.

Kits are limited and only sold on location in participating dispensaries, however if you are interested in purchasing one you should contact one of the stores directly for more details.

Awards at Amsterdam Cannabis CupHigh Times Cannabis Cup – Amsterdam

History Of The Cannabis Cup

From the High Times website:

The High Times Cannabis Cup is the world’s leading marijuana competition.

Founded in Amsterdam in 1988 by former High Times editor Steve Hager, The Cannabis Cup has evolved into a globally recognized championship of the best cannabis products in the world. A blind competition judged by industry experts, the competition ranks entries as measured by the judges’ votes, and crowns the top three products per category, with the top spot earning the coveted Cannabis Cup trophy.

Although it’s evolved many times–from in-house underground judging in Amsterdam in the late 80’s/early 90’s, to the first American Cups focused solely on medicinal products, to the limelight-driven-expert-led competition of today–the Cannabis Cup has moved through the ebbs and flows of the industry, and from prohibition to recreational legalization remains the title prize for producers in the game.

Typically these awards would culminate in one of the brands high-profile Cannabis Cup events–a touring festival type celebration that brings hundreds of cannabis brands in to provide attendees a deep dive into the magical world of marijuana, as well as performances from world-class musical talent, like the Wu Tang Clan or Nas, to celebrate the winners of the competition, as well as rally around the communities favorite plant. These events have helped spread legalization and fight the ‘stoner’ stigma for decades. and have helped open the minds of millions.

The past three decades of these awards have created lasting economic impact for its winners. Receiving the Cup has propelled brands into the stratosphere, and taken strains from the unknown into household names–simply put, the most commonly known strains in the world have generated their reputation from winning this contest.

Crowd At Cannabis Cup In MichiganHigh Times Cannabis Cup 2019 – Michigan

Celebrity Judges Over The Years

  • Tommy Chong
  • Snoop Dogg
  • Patti Smith
  • Wiz Khalifa
  • Joe Rogan
  • Damian Marley
  • Kid Cudi
  • Method Man
  • Redman
  • Rita Marley
  • B-Real
  • B.O.B.
  • Alex Grey and many more