Pubdate: Mon, 14 Dec 2015
Source: Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)
Copyright: 2015 The Press Democrat
Contact:  http://www.pressdemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/348
Author: Clark Mason

EMERALD CUP MARIJUANA FESTIVAL DRAWS 21,000 TO SONOMA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

The Emerald Cup, the celebration of cannabis culture now in its third 
year in Santa Rosa, wrapped up its two-day run at the Sonoma County 
Fairgrounds on Sunday with its biggest attendance ever, showcasing 
some of the best outdoor organic marijuana in the world and the 
industry the plant has spawned.

The weekend event drew more than 21,000 people, according to 
organizer Tim Blake, compared to 13,000 last year and 7,000 in 2013, 
the first year it was relocated from Mendocino County, where it had 
its humble, more clandestine beginnings 12 years ago.

Billed as the equivalent of the Oscars for the cannabis industry, the 
event draws many producers from the so-called "Emerald Triangle" of 
Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties, a business that organizers 
claim is the largest agricultural crop on the North Coast, and will 
grow even more with outright legalization - perhaps as soon as next year.

A sort of evangelical rally to spread the gospel of marijuana, the 
Emerald Cup is not only a contest to choose the best bud, but a 
community event for growers and pot aficionados, with business 
exhibits, educational seminars and music.

"Saving the planet, using the cannabis plant," is how Mikki Norris, a 
longtime cannabis-reform activist, described her mission and that of 
others seeking the decriminalization of marijuana.

In a gesture that was perhaps a joke about the stereotypical "stoner" 
mindset, Emerald Cup Founder Tim Blake was presented with a telling 
award for his contribution to the cannabis revolution - a portrait of 
Jesus holding a marijuana plant and exiting a space ship.

Norris and her husband, Chris Conrad, were presented Sunday with 
lifetime achievement awards for their contributions to "the cannabis 
community and the culture."

She told the crowd in the fairgrounds' Grace Pavilion the plant 
provides meaning in life, inspiration, fun, relaxation "and the 
healing we all need ... making us work for the betterment of 
humankind and the planet."

Her husband said that people used to say it was impossible to legalize pot.

"Today, people say it's inevitable," Conrad said of the likelihood 
that California voters might soon OK the recreational use of 
marijuana, as other state have done recently.

"It's the dawn of a new era," he said, noting that even some 
prominent Republicans are coming out in favor of marijuana reform.

But the heart of the Emerald Cup is the judging competition. More 
than 420 entries were submitted in this year's contest, with the 
winner receiving a trip for two to Jamaica along with the ability to 
charge a premium for the chosen marijuana strain and its seeds.

This year's winner was Jackson Zenter, aka "Mean Jean" of 
Laytonville, whose "cherry limeaid" bud was described as sweet and 
fruity, albeit with a "paint thinner and Bain de Soleil" essence.

Like a wine contest, the judges stretched their imaginations and 
vocabularies to describe the top selections.

Some descriptions of taste and smell for some strains included 
comparisons to bathroom cleaner, inner tube, new shoes or lemon vodka.

"Sour milk and honey, mind opening with a clear trajectory" was the 
description judges had for an entry christened "Gorilla Glue No. 4."

Another entrant dubbed "orange dank" was described as having a "super 
strong grapefruit" essence and the judge's note: "I got a bump right 
away and a clear mental high."

This was the first year that entrants had to pay a hefty $250 fee to 
cover the cost of testing their samples for pesticides, fungicides 
and other chemicals.

About 7 percent had pesticides and were disqualified, organizers 
said. Another 8 percent had microbial issues.

One of the bigger draws in one pavilion was the cannabis buds 
representing the contest entries, on display in a lighted circular 
glass display case.

Festivalgoers crowded around, studying the hundreds of verdant buds 
and taking pictures with their cellphones.

"I want to be on the panel that gets to choose," Freeman Young of 
Berkeley said as he eyed the entries.

"The variety, the size, the sheer volume, the beauty," he said, 
listing the qualities he admired. "These things smell wonderful. When 
you go to a dispensary, you won't see buds like that."

"It's impressive to see the quality of medicine that's being grown 
and the variety - the depth that the horticulture has reached," said 
a man who identified himself only as Spencer from Mendocino County. 
"I appreciate good-quality outdoor cannabis, something grown from the 
sun without unnecessary things added."

Blake, the event organizer, said he already has a date confirmed for 
next year's Emerald Cup at the fairgrounds and hopes to get 
permission for a larger crowd.

Editor's note: Emerald Cup honoree Chris Conrad was given the wrong 
last name in an earlier version of this story.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom