Since you read our feature “St. Louis’ Budding Ag Industry” in our July/ August issue, have you been curious about new growth in the business? Maybe our publisher Craig’s letter made you green with envy when thinking back to your relaxed days in high school or college or more recently…

Now that you’re a part of this growing conversation, ASCEND Dispensaries wants you to participate in the High Times Cannabis Cup. Hosting a marijuana competition might seem like a plot line out of your favorite movie from the ‘70s, or it could sound like the moment you’ve been waiting for since you were 16. Either way, the High Times Cannabis Cup People’s Choice Edition is starting soon. The competition is “aimed to identify and award the best cannabis products in Illinois, across a wide range of different categories”. Due to COVID 19, the judging process is now open to all cannabis connoisseurs, like yourself.  

This might come across as blunt, but click here to learn more. Some of you skeptics might be asking yourselves, how would this even work? According to ASCEND, the competition is open to “ members of the public via exclusive kit drops in participating retailers. This event is for recreational & medical consumers, all products must be grown and produced in Illinois at a facility licensed under the Department of Agriculture guidelines.” Two ASCEND locations are hosting our region’s judging: 

114 Commerce Lane, Fairview Heights, IL 62208

3201 Horizon Drive, Springfield, IL 62703 

To preregister, click here. Kits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis starting on September 11th. Each kit includes a scorecard with a link and access code to the High Times Judging Portal. Typically, kits can cost $100 - $300 but prices vary. This means you can pick and choose what you judge. Categories include: Indica Flower, Hybrid Flower, Sativa Flower, Pre - Rolls (Infused and Non-Infused), Solvent Concentrates, Non-Solvent Concentrates, Vape Pens and Cartridges, Edibles, Ingestibles, and Topicals. Judging lasts from September 11th to November 7th; winners are announced November 14th via the High Times Awards Show. 

Start small with one kit or reach for the clouds with all 10. The conversation and opinions around the ag industry are growing quickly, and this is a lush opportunity to be a part of that growth. If you still don’t want anyone to know you’re interested, just crack a window - we won’t tell.

But we do have lots of #Scoop to share. Stay in the know with a subscription to our magazine and newsletter: https://www.sophisticatedstlouis.com/mag/subscribe.