On May 13, 2023, the 19th installment of the Emerald Cup brings together the very best California has to offer. Held at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, California, the 45,000 square foot venue was packed with some of the top players in the industry and the best cannabis growers and manufacturers in the state. The event was a welcome reprieve from the recent problems the California cannabis industry has faced. There was so much love in the air: for the plant, for the community and for those enduring advocates.
Some consider it the “Oscars of cannabis,” Tim Blakefounder of the Emerald Cup, called the 2023 ceremony “the most inspiring yet”.
“The Craneway was the perfect venue for the Emerald Cup awards ceremony,” said Blake. “Mother Nature has blessed us with perfect weather, and our community has gone out strong to celebrate the best of the best and to party the night away on the bay.”
Official sponsors of the event included vintage brands Mendocino Grasslands and Guild Extracts (their luxury yacht served as the event’s VIP area). Guests on the yacht enjoyed drinks spouted from Pabst Labs and St. Ides, Venus of the Elite Eighth and dabs aplenty.
the people
The Emerald Cup Awards honor more than just the best of California products; They also honor some of the most influential figures in the industry. This year’s honorees were honored Milla JansenWillie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award Winner; Amber E-CenterVisionary Award Winner for Advocates and Entrepreneurs; Weldon AngelosWinner of the Social Justice Award honoring freedom fighters. Alex Aquino, award-winning Trailblazer and renowned breeder Soma He has been inducted into the Breeders’ Hall of Fame.
As one of the pioneers of the social justice movement in the Bay Area with over two decades of experience in every aspect of the cannabis industry, Amber E. Senter is the definition of a visionary. She is one of the founding members of the Supernova women As well as the founder and CEO of the company cunning house, a cannabis-infused commodity producer and distribution service. Senter’s work with the City of Oakland to establish the first social justice program in the United States opened doors for those who had been negatively affected by the War on Drugs to be part of the industry, something most thought would never happen.
“I accept this award on behalf of my community,” said Senter. “My community has really done the impossible. Everyone here is a visionary.”
Aquino has had an impact on society in the Bay Area since the late 1980s. In 2007, Aquino took charge of planning the 420th celebration for Hippie Hill, which turned out to be much more than just a set-up in the park. “There are a lot of people doing the heavy lifting in the scenes, especially in this industry,” Mario Cherbinsky He said as he presented Aquino with the Trailblazer Award. Alex is just one of those people. Aquino has co-produced Bay Area hip-hop festivals that most San Francisco natives have fond memories of, including Rock the Bells and Hiero Day.
“I want to talk about inspiration because there are so many of you guys out there,” Aquino said, addressing the farmers in the crowd. “You inspire me; you inspire the world. Northern California is the most influential market in this industry and it’s because of you guys.”
products
The Emerald Cup Awards are known for showcasing only the best cannabis products, and this year’s entries were no exception. “It was refreshing to see the quality of posts better than ever, for our community to come together to celebrate our mutual survival,” said Blake.
First place in the Solventless Concentrate category was Whitethorn Rose Live Bubble Hash, a collaboration between Frenchy Cannoli’s former apprentice Beautiful cherry blossom to Heritage Hash Inc and Huckleberry Hill Farms. Belle paid homage to Sensei, ending her acceptance speech with the poignant, “For Frenchy!”
Other winners include Wendy Baker winning first place for Best Cannabinoid Edible Alternative with CBN Sleepy Mind expansion belt And first place for the best edible gum with Sour space dropsher first ever Emerald Cup win.
Pure Beauty’s Terry TX Gelato won first place for Best Alternative Cannabis Flower as well as a Breeder’s Cup Selection in the same category. Fig Farm’s Blue Face took first place for Best Indoor Flower, Breeder’s Cup Choice and Best Presentation – the first indoor flower to win this award. fig farms He was the biggest winner of the night with nine prizes.
SC Labs has helped produce a new award series highlighting the highest and most popular terpene profiles. Stock Farms of Nevada City, California, Sanctuary Farms acquired the top terpene flower with Blunicorn, which totaled 4.87% terpene.
“The most important thing about this is the plant and remembering how beautiful the plant is and giving it back to the genetics, the land and the farmer,” said Cherry Blossom Belle of Heritage Hash Co. “Let’s not forget the beauty of this plant.”
View file Full list of all winners From the 2023 Emerald Cup prizes.
