High Times Cannabis Cup Kits Launching in New Jersey
High Times has announced its New Jersey Cannabis Cup with judge kit sales launching on Wednesday, March 25th at select cannabis dispensaries. The relaunched High Times Cup recently returned to New York City in February.
Jersey consumers and patients who buy kits can vote through the traditional cannabis holiday of 4/20 for top products across a wide range of categories.
“We’re taking the massive success of the New York Cannabis Cup and rolling that energy straight into New Jersey,” said Josh Kesselman, Publisher of High Times and the founding force behind RAW® Rolling Papers. “What we saw in New York proved something powerful. When you put the judging back in the hands of the people, the whole community shows up. … Bringing that spirit to the Garden State is going to be awesome.”
Creating the New High Times Cup
The New York Cannabis Cup just celebrated with an awards ceremony on February 7. It was the first major event under the stewardship of Kesselman and High Times Co-Owner Matt Stang and his Cannabis Cup team. High Times Cups previously relied on 28 to 35 expert judges. Now the format has evolved into voting rankings. There will be 228 kits per category for sale and voting.
“Seeing the Cannabis Cup come back to life in New York, a completely new market, was incredibly special, and now we get to keep that momentum going in New Jersey,” said Matt Stang, Co-Owner of High Times. “The Cup has always been about bringing the community together and celebrating the best products in the market. Launching this next chapter in the Garden State is another big step …”
NJ High Times Cannabis Cup 2026 Details
According to them, each judge kit includes over 100 official competition entries from 50-plus brands. It also has a physical scorecard and a link to the official Cannabis Cup Judging Portal.
Participants can score products on aesthetics, aroma, taste, effects, and overall quality. Scoring remains confidential until the winners are officially announced.
“Good cannabis doesn’t need hype. It needs tasters. This Cup puts hundreds of them on every entry and gives brands the kind of feedback you can build on,” said High Times Editor-in-Chief Javier Hasse.
NJ High Times Categories
Categories include:
Indica
Sativa
Hybrid Flower
Pre-Rolls (Standard and Infused)
Concentrates (Solvent and Solventless)
Vape Pens
Edibles (Gummies, Non-Gummies, and Beverages)
Key Dates:
Friday, March 25, 2026:Judge Kits On Sale
March 25 – April 20:Judging Timeframe
April 20, 2026:Judging Deadline
May 1, 2026:Winners Announced
NJ Dispensaries Selling Judge Kits
Judge kits will be available at dozens of locations, including:
Aunt Mary's (Flemington)
Authorized Dealer Dispensary (North Bergen, Jersey City, Willingboro)
BestBuds (Woodbury)
Bridge City Collective (Somerset)
Cannabist (Vineland)
Conservatory Cannabis Co. (Egg Harbor Township)
Daylite (Mt Laurel)
High Rollers (Atlantic City)
Honeygrove (Clementon)
Simply Pure (Trenton/Ewing)
The Village (Hoboken)
URB’N Dispensary (Newark)
