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After being canceled two years in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic, planning for California's state fair in Sacramento is already underway.
In addition to the usual livestock and food competition, a new competition for marijuana will be featured at next year's event.
“It’s a big milestone for the cannabis industry,” Brian Applegarth, CEO of Cultivar Brands told CBS13.
So how will the cannabis competition be judged? Not in the way you might expect from a state fair.
According to CBS13, each entry is sent to a laboratory and judged scientifically based on the chemical composition.
Similar to wine and other competitive events, the winner will be presented with the prestigious "golden bear" award.
“The goal is for cannabis to be celebrated in a very normalized way,” said Applegarth.
According to Cal Expo's board of directors, the competition might be a first when it comes to state fairs.
“As far as I know, it might be the first time any state fair is doing that,” said Chair of Cal Expo board of directors Jess Durfee.
California's nearly 7,000 licensed cannabis cultivators are eligible to enter the competition. Entries will start being accepted on November 1 and the winners will be announced in May.