Tangerine Daydreams at the So-Cal High Times Cannabis Cup

At a quarter ‘til midnight I arrived at the Mission Hotel and Spa in San Bernardino, California. I was pleasantly surprised to realize I was booked in Room 303, appropriate for a Colorado native. Quickly dropping off my bags, I freshened up and headed out to see what I could experience at the SoCal High Times Cannabis Cup (HTCC).

On a quest to find a friend, I approached the door of Room 332 of the Mission and could smell the sweet scent of tangerines. Once inside, the smell grew in intensity and certainly overwhelmed my olfactory system. I closed my eyes and was transported into a giant bowl of fruit. With strain names like Banana Lemon, Pineapple Lemonade, Banangie Kosher and Red Dragon, the aroma was coming from the best BHO (Butane Hash Oil) concentrates I’ve ever seen, smelled or tasted. Our host, creator of these amazing specimens and SoCal HTCC entrant took home two first place wins (the coveted Cannabis Cup) as well as a couple of medals.

Although the two days were somewhat of a haze, complete with lots of smoke filled environments, I can confidently say there are many differences between the Cannabis Cup in Colorado and California. Now I know why other industry members refer to this event as a “Weed Swap Meet.” Almost every vendor was selling cannabis freely to so-called “patients.” All I had to do was show my Dr. recommendation from Colorado and was issued a red arm band to enter the medication area. I’d never seen anything like it. I was beyond surprised how easily I could obtain every type of cannabis creation from flower to edibles to topicals and concentrates.

Impressive vendor displays from many cannabis businesses throughout Colorado and beyond. My friends at seedlesss were offering merchandise, promoting a new “Pot” Sauce branded Chingon, displaying gallery quality art pieces and other partners who were representing their brands.

I am excited to be a part of the Denver High Times Cannabis Cup during the weekend of 4/20 and can’t wait to share the many insights I observe. As we continue to operate in an ever-changing regulatory landscape, cannabis industry members will have to roll with the proverbial punches and evolve to what the future of cannabis will become. It’s an exciting time to be in this industry and I feel honored to be one of the pioneers on the forefront of the fight to ending marijuana prohibition.