The Best in Grass national cannabis judging competition is hosting its 2^nd annual statewide competition in New Jersey beginning Saturday, August 22^nd.

So, 2,700 New Jersey residents will have the chance to discover and judge a variety of locally grown cannabis products and crown the best in the state.

Notably, the competition will feature only NJ-born brands and hundreds of canabis product like flower, concentrates, vape pens, and edibles.

Kits will be available for purchase at only select dispensaries across the state starting Saturday, August 22^nd.

Judging Kits will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Pricing ranges between $50-$150 before taxes, depending on the category. Notably, Judges have until October 18^th to submit detailed reports on the aesthetics, aroma, taste, and effects of each product.

Winners will be announced on Thursday, November 12^th during a live, in-person award celebration at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville in Middlesex County.

Upon completion of the judging process, each customer will be offered free tickets to the awards show and a credit off their next purchase at the dispensary where they purchased their Judge Kit, paid for by Best in Grass.

Best in Grass New Jersey Cannabis Judging Kits

The approach Best in Grass is taking is truly unique. Their goal is “to support New Jersey’s booming cannabis industry while appealing to a much broader base of consumers.”

They also want to appeal to the “canna curious” who might be interested in a sampling model that will help them identify which product is the best.

Best in Grass is also taking a different approach to the judging feedback process within the competition. The data from competition judges will be given to participating brands, which could have a direct impact on product improvements and innovation.

“I’ve spent the past four years getting to know the vibrant New Jersey cannabis community, which is a true standout among all of the cannabis-friendly states I’ve visited coast to coast,” Best in Grass co-founder Mark Kazinec explained.

 “As one of the most exciting cannabis markets in the US, New Jersey consumers deserve to experience the best that NJ has to offer. We’re looking forward to

tapping into the NJ audience and connecting with the cannabis community through Best in Grass,” he added.

Best in Grass Cannabis Cup Categories

NJ cannabis Judging Kits include products across 13 adult-use recreational categories:

1. Indica Flower
2. Sativa Flower
3. Hybrid Flower
4. Pre-Rolls
5. Infused Pre-Rolls
6. Solventless Infused Pre-Rolls
7. Vape Pens & Cartridges
8. Rosin Vape Pens & Cartridges
9. Concentrates
10. Solventless Concentrates
11. Edibles: Gummies
12. Edibles: Rosin Gummies
13. Edibles: Non-Gummies

NJ Dispensaries Selling Best in Grass Judging Kits

1. Nightjar- 549 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
2. Zen Leaf Elizabeth, 117 Spring St, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
3. Zen Leaf Lawrence 3256 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Twp, NJ 08648
4. Zen Leaf Mt. Holly 600 High St, Mt. Holly, NJ 8060
5. Zen Leaf Neptune 2100 NJ-66 Neptune Twp, NJ, 07753
6. Shore House Canna 124 Sunset Blvd West Cape May, NJ, 08204
7. Monteverde 45 N. Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ, 07701
8. Scarlet Reserve Room 5 Hamilton St, Englishtown, NJ, 07726
9. Milligrams Dispensary 813 E Gate Dr Suite D Mount Laurel, NJ, 08054
10. Ginger Hale Dispensary 814 White Horse Pike Oaklyn, NJ, 08107
11. Valley Wellness 407 US 202 Raritan, NJ, 08869
12. Canopy Crossroad 9 West St Red Bank, NJ, 07701
13. Bloc Dispensary Ewing 1761 N Olden Ave, Ewing Township, NJ 08638
14. Bloc Dispensary Waretown 501 US-9, Waretown, NJ 08758
15. Bloc Dispensary Outlet Somerset 1075 Easton Ave, Somerset, NJ 08873
16. Hashery LLC 409 Route 17 S Hackensack, NJ, 07601
17. Boone Town Provisions 677 Myrtle Ave Boonton, NJ, 07005
18. Queen City Remedies 1353 South Ave Plainfield, NJ, 07062
19. Nova Farms Woodbury 642 Mantua Pike Woodbury, NJ, 08096
20. The Social Leaf, LLC 334 Atlantic City Blvd So Toms River, NJ, 08757
21. The Green Initiative 1062 Mantua Pike Wenonah, NJ, 08090
22. Unity Rd. Cannabis Shop 441 Elizabeth Avenue Somerset, NJ, 08873
23. Doobiez LLC 1612 Union Valley Rd West Milford, NJ, 07480
24. Northeast Alternatives 780 US-130 Hamilton Township, NJ, 08691
25. Authorized Dealer 2600 Tonnelle Avenue North Bergen, NJ, 07047
26. Authorized Dealer 150 Bay St Jersey City, NJ, 07302
27. Authorized Dealer 4306 US 130 Willingboro, NJ, 0.08046

Best in Grass Cannabis Cup Background Details

Best in Grass New Jersey has partnered with Valley Wellness, General Hydroponics, NJ Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, NJ Cannabis Trade Association, Heady NJ, NJ Dispensary Review, and more to create the most trusted connection between cannabis products and real consumer experience through transparent, consumer-led trials that turn feedback into proof and insights the market can rely on.

So, as Heady NJ Editor Dan Ulloa, I’m a judge too!

Launched in 2024, Best in Grass is a national cannabis judging competition and product feedback platform. They’re a 3-year-old player in the national cannabis space.

The venture comes from former executives of High Times Magazine and Cannabis Cups. Co-founders Mark Kazinec and Joey Posney launched Best in Grass to take all the best parts of popular cannabis judging competitions and elevate them to the next level.

As more states have adopted cannabis-friendly policies, cannabis judging competitions have risen in popularity, especially in Jersey.