The California State Fair made history as the first in the country to have an official cannabis competition. Over the past few years, the California Cannabis Awards have evolved to include finished goods such as edibles and vapes. The addition of on-site sales and consumption was another monumental moment.
The 2024 introduction of Budist judges added a human element to the competition. Previously, the flower entries were judged solely by testing metrics, but the addition of expert judging offers a more nuanced approach to the contest.
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This year’s storied competition is likely the biggest yet, with hundreds of entries—and another milestone was just hit. At a recent gathering, entry kits were distributed to several Budist critics, who serve as the awards’ official judges. The evaluations are a critical component of the contest and also serve as an opportunity to amplify the winners’ achievements further.
The expert judges utilize the Budist platform’s 100-point scale to carefully inspect and try each product in their hunt for the coveted Golden Bears. The best-in-show winners will not only receive special accolades during the fair but will also have their reviews published on the Budist app and website. The judges bring an incredible amount of professionalism and transparency to the competition, a reflection of the Budist mission itself.
“The California State Fair is one of the most prestigious stages for showcasing cannabis, and Budist was built for moments like this,” shared co-founder Jocelyn Sheltraw. “Budist elevates how quality is recognized, and there’s no better platform than the State Fair to do it.”
In addition to setting a new standard for assessing cannabis, the judges can help elevate the conversation around the plant itself. As a first-mover, the California Cannabis Awards serves as a model for other states considering adding the plant to their respective state fairs—something the Budist team doesn’t take lightly.
“Being a judge is an incredible honor,” said podcast host and first-time event judge Sara Payan. “It’s not just about celebrating quality flower—it’s about advancing normalization and public education by bringing cannabis into the mainstream alongside other celebrated agricultural products.”
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The bronze, silver, and gold medal winners will be announced on June 24th. The best-in-show Golden Bear trophies will be awarded during an invite-only soiree taking place at Cal Expo. California State Fair visitors will see all of the winners at the Cannabis Experience exhibit. They could even take home the Golden Bear winners at the on-site Embarc dispensary. Event organizers hope the contest will elevate the state’s industry and inspire hundreds of thousands of fairgoers who may be seeing cannabis for the first time.
“This is how we shift culture and create informed, empowered consumers,” Payan concluded.
