Now in its 15th year, the Emerald Cup is Northern California’s preeminent cannabis harvest competition, tradeshow and celebration. Complete with an all-star musical lineup and featuring an awards show appearance by weed legend Willie Nelson, this enormous gathering of farmers, extractors, breeders, retailers, artisans and connoisseurs is always the year’s most anticipated event for cannabis industry insiders.
Spend two days exploring over 250 vendor booths spread over five sprawling marketplaces. Browse the best of California’s sungrown cannabis harvest, shop for sought-after seeds, and stock up on hyped indoor flowers from Cookies and Alien Genetics. Dabbers will be excited to try extracts from Fieldz, Beezle and The Guild, while edibles eaters can munch on returning favorites like Space Gems, Satori Chocolates and Plus Gummies.
RELATED STORY
Willie Nelson, Kevin Smith, Ton of Cannabis Prepped for Emerald Cup 2018
Must-see activations include the Humboldt Redwood Lounge, featuring a dozen of Humboldt’s best producers hosted by Satori Wellness. Stop by between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a Happy Hour discount, and enter a joint-rolling contest on Sunday to compete for the bragging rights for the fastest rolling, most creative and largest joints!
Don’t miss the participatory Flow Kana “Farm to Bong” competition, where you can carve your own functional veggie pipe, and seek out the True Terpenes “Terp Wall” in the Hall of Flowers, where you can smell limonene, linalool, myrcene and more through an interactive educational display.
Make sure you see the dizzying display of every flower entered into the Emerald Cup cannabis competition, and learn the winners on Sunday at 3 p.m. on the Emerald Stage.
Peruse our shopping recommendations featuring newly launched items, rare small-batch products and great gift ideas for beginners and aficionados alike.
Beginner Picks for Emerald Cup 2018
Brand: WildLand / Mendocino Generations
Why?: Within the Flow Kana Market, you’ll find Harlequin Blue Goo, a Round Valley heritage sativa strain with a 2:1 THC:CBD ratio. Grown by WildLand in native soil using regenerative farming practices, this Harlequin cross is great for smokers who crave cannabidiol’s relaxing effects. Also look for the exclusive Purple Baseball Bat, which combines JahGoo and Platinum Cookies to produce a dark purple flower that smells and tastes like berry pound cake.
Where? Flow Kana Market #18
Brand: Mellows
Why?: Perfect for melting into hot cocoa, these delicious treats are not to be missed! Dosed at just five milligrams of THC each, these gourmet marshmallows are usually only available at a handful of exclusive locations near San Francisco, so make sure to pick up a lovely box for yourself and a few extra for gift giving.
Where? Elyon Market #65
Brand: Leef Organics
Why?: If you’re looking for stylish CBD products to introduce the healing powers of cannabis to your dad or granddad, try Leef tinctures, balms, skin oil and soaps. The Revive CBD Balm soothes sore muscles and joints, and the Nooks & Crannies soap makes a thoughtful gift.
Where? Flow Kana Market #51
Looking For Legal Cannabis? Leafly Has All Your Local Menus
Wellness Shopper Picks for Emerald Cup 2018
Scoop up Hi-Fi Hops—the cannabis drink of 2018. (Courtesy CannaCraft)
Brand: SolDaze Snacks
Why?: Healthy edibles made from tropical fruits, delivering 100 milligrams of THC per bag. Look for Tropical Mango and Mango Strawberry, designed to nourish your body while getting you high!
Where? Elyon Market #5
Brand: Atlas Drink Mix
Why?: Try non-medicated samples of this newly released rosin-infused beverage mix from Atlas, an award-winning healthy edible company. Incorporating a harmonious ratio of 10 mg of CBD and 5 mg of THC per package with flavors including Pomegranate Green Tea, Raspberry & Hibiscus and Lemongrass & Ginger, this is a portable, discreet and delicious beverage for consumers on the go.
Where? Flow Kana Market #35
Brand: HiFi Hops
Why?: Explore a refreshing alternative to alcohol with this innovative hop-flavored, THC-infused sparkling water, created through a collaboration between Lagunitas Brewery and Absolute Extracts.
Where? Fieldz + Cookies Village #12
Aficionado Picks for Emerald Cup 2018
Elite extracts will be for sale to all adults age 21+ with cash Saturday and Sunday. (Elise McDonough/Leafly)
Brand: Talking Trees Farms
Why?: Stop by the Humboldt Redwood Lounge to pick up Talking Trees’ top-shelf live rosin made from Zkittlez or Pink Lemonade, and choose from a half-dozen different flower varieties including much-loved Blueberry Muffins, Gelato and Huckleberry.
Where? Pac Ex Pavilion #108 – 118
Brand: Chemistry
Why?: Look for Chemistry’s booth alongside retailer Solful, and shop for their full-spectrum, single-origin vape carts and crystalline made from Blue Diamondz grown by Alpenglow Farms, Sour Tangie grown by Moon Made Farms and Star Killer grown by Croft Farms. Get 10% off coupons plus a free CCELL battery with the purchase of any vape cart.
Where? Flow Kana Market #35 – 36
Brand: White Fox
Why?: A previously underground company with a cult following, White Fox Atmosphere vape pens have been introduced to the legal market through Cannacraft. The first vape containing cannabis products mixed with Ayurvedic herbs, these new formulations are designed to enhance one’s dreams, act as an aphrodisiac and increase sexual stamina.
Where? Fieldz + Cookies Village #3
Going to Emerald Cup Details:
- When: Saturday & Sunday December 15–16, 2018
- Where: Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
- How much: Weekend pass for $140, single day pass for $80, or Emerald Pass VIP experience for $500. All tickets include additional processing fees.
- Ages: 21+
- Headliners: Big Gigantic, Gogol Bordello, STS9, Antibalas, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and much more!
- Attractions: Willie Nelson will be honored with an award on Sunday at 3pm, Jay & Silent Bob performing a live podcast on Saturday, world-class glass art on display and a multi-track speaker series continue through the weekend.
- Contact: The Emerald Cup
What’s on your Emerald Cup 201 Shopping List? Let the Leafly community know in the comments below!
