The Emerald Cup is more than just another cannabis competition. Held in the heart of California’s iconic Emerald Triangle, it’s an opportunity for the the region’s cannabis pioneers to get away from their farms and celebrate the fruits—or flowers, as it were—of their labor. This year’s event, held Dec. 10–11 in Santa Rosa, featured more than 650 different strains of the best sun-grown cannabis in the state along with dozens of other product categories.
The event also serves as cultural watering hole and a forum for industry networking. From floor demonstrations and expert panels by day to multistage musical performances by night—and, of course, endless opportunities to sample the finest flowers and concentrates on the West Coast—the Emerald Cup pays homage to a bountiful fall harvest through just the right mix of art, community, and revelry.
Attendees wait in line at The Emerald Cup held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California. December 10, 2016
An attendee from Chico, California with her homegrown cannabis in a tin at The Emerald Cup.
Naresh Kumar making naan at the Indian Gourmet stand.
Event attendees sampling cannabis at the Natural Cannabis Co. booth during The Emerald Cup.
Artist Seth McMahon, of Oakland, California, finishing up a painting he worked on for about 4 months.
Daniel Steigman of BHOGART explaining his company’s butane extractors to attendees.
A panel discussion at The Emerald Cup.
Glass artist Sammy Garcia of Mexico City.
Zach Trent, left, and Jennifer Sic looking over glass products on display at The Mighty Quinn booth.
Michelle Smith, left, handing out slices of pizza with Stephanie Tholl at the Home Slice Pizza stand.
Glass products on display at The Mighty Quinn booth.
Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley performing at The Emerald Cup.
HIRIE performing at The Emerald Cup.
