Want a free box of joints? Here’s how to judge the High Times Cannabis Cup in Michigan

Want a chance to judge Michigan’s hottest cannabis competition? This year, we’re partnering with High Times and Puff to give away a box of weed.

MICHIGAN—Do you think you have what it takes to judge the best weed in Michigan?

High Times is calling on all Michiganders to step up and prove they can separate the dank from the skank by serving as an official judge in this year’s Cannabis Cup competition, in which stoners from across the state can decide which Michigan brands are churning out the best flower, pre-rolled joints, concentrates, vaporizer pens, cannabis-infused edibles, and more. 

Anyone and everyone can join the action this year—and it comes along with a backpack filled with weed for any adult who is willing to spend the cash at their local dispensary this summer.

And since you’re reading this, you’ll have a chance to get your own judging kit—for basically free.

Did you say free weed?

That’s right. Anyone who is subscribed to The MichiGanja Report when the High Times Cannabis Cup officially launches on Friday, Aug. 9, will be entered for a chance to win one free judging kit. Just keep an eye on your inbox; We’ll announce the big winner on Friday morning. No purchase is necessary to enter. For full details and conditions, please see the Official Rules. This offer is void where prohibited.

(Well, pretty much free. The winner will technically have to pay $1 to pick up their prize.)

What’s the deal?

Since the late 80s, the High Times Cannabis Cup has served as the ultimate competition of the world’s best weed. The contest was first held in the United States in 2010 and as more states have legalized weed over the years, it has evolved into a state-by-state showdown. Puff Cannabis and Higher Love are the leading sponsors of this year’s competition in Michigan. 

How does it work?

Earlier this summer, some of Michigan’s most acclaimed cannabis companies submitted a variety of products to be judged in a variety of different categories—including best edibles, best indica, sativa, and hybrid flower, best infused and non-infused pre-rolled joints, best solvent and solventless concentrates, and best distillate and non-distillate vaporizer pens and cartridges.

Higher Love and Puff sponsored the contest, paving the way for the folks at High Times to get those dank product submissions all boxed up and ready to be sold (very quickly) at more than a dozen dispensaries across Michigan beginning on the morning of Friday, Aug. 9. 

How do I participate?

Just head over to one of the participating dispensaries to buy a judging kit.

This year’s participating pot shops are Green Labs in Luna Pier; Planted Provisioning in Flint, Whitmore Lake, and Bay City; DaCut in Detroit and Flint; Higher Love in Crystal Falls, Ironwood, Menominee, Marquette, and Norway; Doja in Watervliet and Portage; PlushCo in Muskegon, North Coast Provisions in Adrian and Sault Ste. Marie; House of Dank in Centerline, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Lapeer, Saginaw, and Ypsilanti; and Arborside in Ann Arbor. 

We’ll have one kit reserved for our grand prize winner at whatever location is most convenient for them. But the rest of the judging kits are only available on a first-come, first-served basis—so it’s best to arrive early and get in line before the dispensaries open on Friday, Aug. 9.

What’s in the judging kit?

This year’s judging kits range in price and size depending on the competition category, with pre-rolled joints being the cheapest option at $124.99 before taxes. The flower kits are the priciest of the bunch—with more than 50 samples of hybrid or indica bud for $319.99.

A cheaper sativa judging kit is also available, as well as an array of concentrate kits.

Not a smoker? There are also judging kits available for topicals, sublinguals, vape cartridges, and edibles—including two separate categories for gummies and non-gummy varieties.

What should I expect?

The Cannabis Cup is more than just a contest. It’s a full-blown celebration of cannabis culture.

Every year, a vibrant mix of stoners, growers, and industry professionals come together to showcase and sample the finest weed Michigan has to offer—and then collectively decide on which cannabis products are truly offering a superior level of quality, flavor, and potency.

Smell and feel each sample. Savor the flavor. Take notes. Your judging kit will include instructions on how to submit scores that will go to crown Michigan cannabis royalty. 

High Times will tally up the results through Nov. 17 and announce the winners on Nov. 24.

For all participants and the Grand Prize winner, please note the following: It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. For use by individuals 21 years or older or registered qualifying patients only. Keep out of reach of children. WARNING: USE BY PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING WOMEN, OR BY WOMEN PLANNING TO BECOME PREGNANT, MAY RESULT IN FETAL INJURY, PRETERM BIRTH, LOW BIRTH WEIGHT, OR DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS FOR THE CHILD. National Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222.

READ MORE: 7 quick hits of cannabis news from across Michigan

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