Honoring Tradition, Embracing Innovation!

Welcome back to the 50th edition of The Dab Digest! This week we will be commemorating two decades of The Emerald Cup , a pinnacle event in cannabis cultivation and culture. This year's celebration not only marks 20 years of excellence but also highlights the vibrant evolution of plant medicine.

Join us August 17th and 18th in Oakland, California for an unforgettable celebration.?

The Emerald Cup Competition: Founded in 2003 by Tim Blake , The Emerald Cup has grown to become one of the most prestigious cannabis competitions globally. Held annually in California, the competition showcases the finest cannabis cultivars, innovators, retailers, and advocates across various categories, each judged blindly by industry experts to ensure fairness and integrity in determining winners.

The Emerald Cup stands as a legacy organization with a proven track record of excellence. It is widely respected for its contributions to cannabis policy, regulation, and industry best practices. The Emerald Cup continues to advocate for sun-grown cannabis, support small farms, and promote regenerative agriculture. Embracing the full spectrum of the plant, the competition features categories including indoor flower, concentrates, cartridges, and alternative cannabinoids.

Beyond the Competition: The Emerald Cup is a vibrant celebration of cannabis culture, featuring:

• A Consumer Marketplace: A bustling marketplace where attendees can explore and purchase a diverse array of cannabis products, including award-winning strains and innovative creations.
• Live Music: Featuring performances by renowned artists, the event combines music with cannabis advocacy, fostering a lively and inclusive atmosphere.
• Handblown Glass: Artisanal glassblowers showcase their craftsmanship, offering unique cannabis accessories and decorative pieces.
• Food & Drinks: Curated food trucks and beverage vendors provide gourmet options and cannabis-infused delicacies, enhancing the culinary experience.
• Educational Panels: Experts and thought leaders discuss the latest trends, innovations, and regulatory developments in the cannabis industry.
• Community Engagement: The Emerald Cup is a gathering place for cannabis enthusiasts, growers, advocates, and industry professionals, fostering networking and collaboration.

Competition Categories and Descriptions:

FLOWER (BLIND):

• Sungrown: Full sun, full term outdoor cultivation without artificial lighting or protective structures.
• Mixed Light: Greenhouse cultivation using light deprivation and/or artificial lighting.
• Sungrown Greenhouse: Cultivation in a greenhouse without automated or artificial lighting.
• Indoor: Climate-controlled indoor cultivation under artificial lighting.
• 3rd Party Certified: Certified for clean product and environmentally responsible practices.
• Personal Use Flower: Homegrown cannabis for personal consumption.
• Pre-Roll - Non Infused: Pre-rolled joints without additional infusions.
• Pre-Roll - Infused - Solventless Extract: Pre-rolled joints infused with solventless concentrates.
• Pre-Roll - Infused - Solvent Extract: Pre-rolled joints infused with solvent-extracted concentrates.
• Deluxe Joints: Artistic and experiential joints like cannagars.

SOLVENTLESS CONCENTRATE (BLIND):

• Ice Water Hash: Cannabis concentrate made using ice/water extraction.
• Rosin: Heat and pressure extracted hash.

SOLVENT CONCENTRATE (BLIND):

• Hydrocarbon: Extracts using hydrocarbon solvents.

CARTRIDGE:

• Solventless Rosin: Cartridges with solventless cannabis concentrate.
• Distillate: Cartridges with solvent-extracted, purified cannabis.
• Live Resin: Cartridges with solvent-extracted fresh flower cannabis.

INFUSED:

• Edible - Savory/Sweet/Gummies: Cannabis-infused food items.
• Edible - Health Conscious: Infused products free from allergens and inflammatory ingredients.
• Beverage: Drinkable cannabis-infused products.
• Beverage Enhancer: Additives for cannabis-infused beverages.
• Tincture: Alcohol or oil-based cannabis extracts.
• Topical - Therapeutic/Personal Use: Cannabis-infused products for skin application.

ALTERNATIVE CANNABINOIDS:

• CBD/CBG/CBN Flower: Non-psychoactive flower varieties.
• Hemp-Derived Ingestible’s/Topicals: Products using hemp-derived CBD.
• Edible/Beverage/Tincture/Topical - Non-THC: Non-psychoactive cannabis products.

OTHER AWARDS:

• Most Innovative Product - Consumable/Industry Asset: Groundbreaking cannabis products and production tools.
• Eco Conscious Packaging Award: Environmentally friendly cannabis packaging.
• Photo Contest - Professional/Amateur: Cannabis-themed visual storytelling.
• Best Dispensary: Honoring top dispensaries across California.

The Evolution of Plant Medicine: Over the past two decades, The Emerald Cup has played a pivotal role in advancing cannabis cultivation practices, sustainability initiatives, and consumer education. It champions organic farming, regenerative agriculture, and ethical business practices, promoting a holistic approach to cannabis production.

20 Years of Excellence: As The Emerald Cup celebrates its 20th anniversary, it continues to uphold its commitment to celebrating excellence in cannabis cultivation while advocating for industry standards and consumer safety. The event not only recognizes outstanding growers and producers but also shapes the future of cannabis through innovation and community engagement.

Join us in honoring the legacy of The Emerald Cup and the evolution of plant medicine. Stay tuned for updates, winner announcements, and highlights from this year's festivities!

Keep exploring, discovering, and celebrating cannabis culture! See you in August!

Until Next Time.. Happy Dabbing!

- The WaxNax Team