High Times Cannabis Cup Launches in New Jersey
High Times announced the first-ever New Jersey Cannabis Cup with judge kit sales launching on March 20 at 39 select New Jersey partner dispensaries, including Honey Grove, Honey Stash, NJ Leaf, Twisted Hat,THC Shop and other participating retailers across the state.
The relaunched cup, which wrapped up a triumphant return in New York City and with an awards show in February, touts transparency through its consumer-judged “people’s choice” award format. Submissions opened on March 1, with Jerseyites voting through the iconic 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. The Cannabis Cup has always been about celebrating the plant and the culture around it, and bringing that spirit to the Garden State is going to be awesome.”
Launched in the late ‘80s by High Times, the cup has long stood as the global benchmark for cannabis quality and innovation. The New York Cannabis Cup, which just celebrated with an Oscars-like awards ceremony on Feb. 7, was the first major event under the stewardship of Kesselman and High Times co-owner Matt Stang and his Cannabis Cup team. Continuing a “people’s choice” format and iteration, the cup is advancing its vision for the new era of High Times – one where consumers themselves crown the best in cannabis.
While the cup historically relied on 28 to 35 expert judges, the format has evolved into crowdsourced rankings, offering up to 228 kits per category in statewide competitions across the country. This shift now forms the foundation of the cup’s new era.
“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,” Stang said. “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 as we continue bringing the Cannabis Cup to new audiences across the country.”
Categories include:
Indica Flower
Sativa Flower
Hybrid Flower
Pre-Rolls
Infused Pre-Rolls – Indica
Infused Pre-Rolls – Sativa
Infused Pre-Rolls – Hybrid
Solvent Concentrates
Solventless Concentrates
Solvent Vape Pens & Cartridges
Solventless Vape Pens & Cartridges
Edibles – Gummies
Edibles – Non-Gummies
Edibles – Beverages
“After seeing the incredible response in New York, we’re excited to keep the tour going and let New Jersey consumers help crown the next champions of cannabis,” Kesselman said. “This is exactly how the cup was meant to be experienced, with the community leading the way.”
Key Dates:
March 25, 2026: Judge Kits On Sale
March 25-April 20: Judging Timeframe
April 20, 2026: Judging Deadline
May 1, 2026: Winners Announced
