While 2020 denied so many of us the opportunity to meet and share all our favorite strains, style, and science behind the best buds, we were content to mingle online and deliver our verdicts virtually.
As we touched on in our 2020 Cannabis competition results for established markets, we thought it worth taking the time to acknowledge the emerging markets that made recreational marijuana OK in the eyes of their state’s legislature.
Several states approved marijuana ballot measures in 2020, including Montana, Arizona, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Mississippi. While they aren’t quite set to join the rest of US states with established markets, there were a few standouts who have been making a name for themselves in the shadow of heavy hitters like Oregon, California, Colorado, and Washington State.
Keep in mind, there were a few locales that didn’t have events this year, which include Michigan and Nevada.
The states above are poised to join the modern era and welcome all the benefits cannabis has to offer their citizenry and coffers. Last year saw a fleet of states approve cannabis legislation that came into effect in early 2020. And they are already joining the chorus singing the success of legalized cannabis.
As the industry continues to grow and thrive, these new kids on the block decided to test their mettle and through their strains into the ring to see how growers and processors match up against the big market players.
Among these newly anointed states are Illinois, New Jersey, and Oklahoma. We followed their contests, entrants, and who outshined the competition.
You can find a brief rundown of how things shaped up and where you can find the crème of the crop in each respective region.
A state new to the scene, Illinois growers were jazzed about bringing the excitement and spirit of competition to the state’s first Cannabis Cup.
In this case, one grower pulled out all the stops to show up their competition. Revolution Global claimed top spots throughout the competition to win gold in all categories, save for edibles. However, they still managed to place third in that field.
So, what’d they come up with that stunned judges and competition peers?
The strains that stole the day included:
These Revolution Global strains can be picked up from The Herbal Care Center in Chicago, IL, and New Age Care in Mount Prospect, IL. However, you won’t want to sleep on getting your own stash as these popular performers are sure to be a big-ticket item on many tokers’ smoke lists.
Which operations managed to stand in the way of Revolutions’ sweep?
Why, that’d be Bhang’s Toffee chocolate bar and Incredibles’ CBN-infused Snoozzzeberry Gummies.
You can buy Bhang bars from dispensaries throughout California and Incredibles in Colorado. If you’re n Illinois local, look to Maribis of Chicago and The Dispensary in Fulton for your scrumptious prizewinning sweets.
With 2021 poised to be a year full of frenzy in the cannabis market, the northeastern states have been preparing for the deluge of recreational use and all the industry that comes with it.
In the case of the New England Harvest Cup, a live-streamed ceremony was held. This marked the fourth installment of the event.
Winners included Joe Merkt with Sativa Lemon Bonkers and Shamanic Roots with their Indica, Rasta Pie.
In a departure from the norm, this year’s Harvest Cup featured products less widely available when compared to markets like California. Flower categories were omitted entirely, while edibles and topicals stepped into the spotlight.
The brand Mary Palmer enjoyed wins in the above categories with wins for their 24K Truffle Oil and 911 Salve. It may be worth noting that their THC-infused pickles won the top spot in edibles during the Maine-based Pheno Cup.
Spotlighting the state’s budding industry with the first High Times People’s Choice Cup back in June of this year, Oklahoma looks forward to participating in a parade of cannabis events in the coming year.
It took a team of two to trounce the competition in the categories for Indica and hybrid flower, with Red River Pharms and Exotic Genetix reigning supreme with their strains Tina and Tropic Truffle.
ALTVM’s Lilac Diesel took top marks for their Sativa flower entry. ALTVM took their competitors’ example to heart and teamed up with their own partners at Leaf Logic to earn gold with their solventless dabbable cross between GMO X Mendo Breath, Garlic Breath.
We know Okies are salivating at the thought of tasting these fine finishers. Here’s where you can find them.
Exotic Genetix has made sure their brand of flower can be found at Barbary Coast Dispensary in San Francisco, CA, and Cookies in Oklahoma City, OK.
Products from ALTVM retail at Electraleaf dispensaries throughout Oklahoma.
What’s coming in 2021
While these states earn accolades in competition, they are far from the only states worthy of your attention.
2021 will also prove to be a standout year for cannabis as new markets emerge in Arizona, Nevada, Montana. With them, new growers, strains, and competitions.
It’s important to not only acknowledge the advancements toward recreational legalization, but also more conservative states who have seen the value in medical marijuana. We know big ships take time to steer and the populace is coming around and convincing their representatives that the time has come to acknowledge marijuana doesn’t deserve its Schedule I designation.
Alabama approved Medical cannabis earlier this year alongside the advancement of two Arkansas initiatives to legalize adult cannabis use.
Connecticut followed in the same vein with multiple bills to legalize adult cannabis use.
Even Kentucky passed medical marijuana legislation in the House with HB 136, which received a nearly unanimous vote of 17-1.
New Mexico nearly made it there with Senate Bill 115, which was approved by the senate affairs committee but was tabled shortly after by the Judiciary Committee in mid-February.
While there is still a long way to go, the horizon looks promising for US Cannabis in 2021.
