Highlights from The 2024 Emerald Cup in Oakland California
Cannabis enthusiast and student of the art of solventless extraction
Table of Contents
1. The Spirit of the Emerald Cup
2. The 20th Anniversary Emerald Cup in Oakland, CA
3. A Walk Through
4. Hashing It Out
5. More Photos
6. Conclusion
The Emerald Cup shines as a long-standing cannabis contest globally, with a tradition of excellence and authentic grass roots culture. Since 2004 at the first-ever Emerald Cup in the Mendocino County mountains, cannabis enthusiasts have been gathering to honor sun grown cannabis and the lifestyle that stems from it. Over the last 20 years, the Emerald Cup has blossomed into a rich and diverse festival drawing in thousands of visitors ranging from passionate aficionados, to growers, to extraction artists from all over the world.
The Emerald Cup isn't just a contest. It's a cultural event that includes music performances, educational discussions, art displays and a market where you can check out the newest in cannabis products and the people who are pushing things forward.
The Spirit of the Emerald Cup
The Emerald Cup showcases growers’ eco-friendly farming methods, focusing on sun grown cannabis sourced from the renowned Emerald Triangle in Northern California. The Cup provides a stage for growers to present their offerings across various categories like flowers and concentrates, to edibles and skincare products. Earning an award at the Emerald Cup is an accomplishment that can elevate brands to higher levels of reputation and prestige.
It’s hard to overstate the importance of the Emerald Cup in the world of cannabis and its impact on the industry as a whole. It embodies the essence of the cannabis community by highlighting aspects like quality and sustainability while also focusing on preserving the plant's rooted history. With cannabis gaining acceptance in mainstream culture, the Emerald Cup stands out as a beacon reflecting the enduring values that have shaped this culture for years, making it an essential gathering for all those engaged in the industry.
The 20th Anniversary Emerald Cup in Oakland, CA
Over the past 20 years the Emerald Cup has grown into a world premier cannabis brand. The competition, marketplace, and festival comprise the pillars of the epic yearly event. The competition is the soul, the marketplace is the headliner, and the festival is lit. And this year was especially lit in Oakland, California, a very fitting place to celebrate 20 years worth of winners.
A Walk Through The Cup
If you were fortunate enough to attend the Emerald Cup, then you got a true sense of the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere that organizers helped create this year. We especially loved the smoke sesh area hosted by CBCB, the female-owned dispensary based in Berkeley. Smokers could relax and enjoy cannabis in this very chill and uplifting environment. Giant baseball bat-sized joints floated around!
Area 101, a key location within the Emerald Cup known for its nostalgic ambiance, was also a huge draw. This area, curated by long-time Emerald Cup participants like Swami, aims to preserve the event's original spirit from 20 years ago, offering a space where old-school cannabis culture thrives.
The Frenchy Cannoli hash session stands out as a highlight, with the hash queen Belle, a friend of The Press Club and an apprentice of the late Frenchie Cannoli, sharing her expertise and high-quality hash with attendees. Many thanks for the generosity!
The communal vibe was palpable, as cannabis goodies are shared and everyone is free to enjoy the hash sessions, particularly on the first day of the cup. This was a celebration of craftsmanship and tradition. The sense of camaraderie and shared appreciation for cannabis culture is evident, with everyone relishing the opportunity to partake in these special moments together.
The indoor areas featured cannabis strains on display for judging. This year saw a diverse range of entries, including those from licensed growers and a homegrown category, which allowed anyone to submit their cannabis for consideration. The entries were categorized by type, such as dessert, OG, and gas, giving judges and attendees a broad view of the current cannabis landscape. The uniqueness of each cultivar and the care that goes into cultivating them was on full display, showcasing the best that the cannabis community has to offer.
Aside from enjoying the aesthetics and experience of the plant, the commercial aspect of the Emerald Cup is also an incredibly important part of the experience, with booths from well-known brands like Humboldt Seed Company and Purple City Genetics offering a variety of products, including clones and seeds.
One of our favorites this year was the pre-rolls from Heritage Hash Co., the quality and taste is borderline miraculous.
The Kaiser Center, where much of this commerce took place, was a bustling hub of activity, with vendors, buyers, and cannabis enthusiasts enjoying a lively exchange of products and ideas. There are influential leaders almost everywhere you turn, which is a constant reminder of the event's importance within the industry.
Big congratulations to all of this year’s winners. Check out the full list here:
Hashing It Out
Jimi Divine moderated an excellent panel called Hashing It Out: Terps and Techniques for Solventless Concentrates. Every skilled hash maker has their own signature techniques that makes their solventless stand out from the crowd. This panel talked through the intricate process of making award winning solventless hash. From traditional methods to the most desirable cultivars for hash makers, to global trends, this conversation gave us some great insights.
Check out the video below!
More Photos
Conclusion
The 2024 Emerald Cup carries on this rich tradition by showcasing the cutting edge developments in the cannabis industry while paying respect to the roots that have shaped the community’s success. Despite some challenges related to the new venue, the 2024 Emerald Cup was a massive success. Thank you to the community for all the support and participation, and all the organizers and sponsors who reinvigorated our commitment to the cannabis community!
Thoughts? Let us know by joining our secret Facebook group. Hang out with a community of like-minded solventless heads like yourself. Ask our head extractor questions, share your latest press and learn from hobbyists and experts in the industry.
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