Cannabis lifestyle publication High Times is unveiling a consumer-judged competition for New Jersey’s legalized cannabis industry.
Starting March 25, customers age 21 and up will be able to purchase official judge kits at 39 select dispensaries. The packages will allow buyers to sample entries from top brands and cast votes in categories like best flower, best edible and best vape.
Each category-specific kit also includes a physical scorecard and link to the official Cannabis Cup judging portal. Entries can be scored online for aesthetics, aroma, taste, effects and quality.
High Times has not yet released how much each kit will cost. However, the publication notes on its website that kits are priced based on the quantity of products entered into each category and could range from $100 to $300.
The debut of the New Jersey Cannabis Cup follows High Times’ relaunch of the New York Cannabis Cup earlier this year. That marked the first major event since Josh Kesselman acquired the struggling publication for $3.5 million in June 2025.
Rolling into the Garden State
Initially established in the late 1980s by High Times, the Cannabis Cup has long stood as the global benchmark for cannabis quality and innovation.
Up until 2018, industry professionals, experts and internal panels primarily judged the Cup. As part of a shift to increase transparency and public engagement, High Times began allowing everyday consumers a chance to vote on their favorite flower, edible and concentrate products.
Kesselman shared, “We’re taking the massive success of the New York Cannabis Cup and rolling that energy straight into New Jersey.”
“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,” the Raw Rolling Papers founder added.
High Times co-owner Matt Stang shared, “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. 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.”
The judging period runs through April 20. High Times said it will announce New Jersey Cannabis Cup winners during a May 1 awards show in Atlantic City.
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