Event Recap: Farmers Cup Awards Sesh
Across California, cannabis competitions play a vital role in recognizing excellence and cultivating a culture of connoisseurship. Among them, Farmers Cup stands out. Now in its fifth year in the San Diego area, the competition is unique for its consumer-first approach, placing the power of judging directly in the hands of everyday cannabis enthusiasts—not just industry professionals.
To participate, consumers purchased judging kits from select dispensaries and used Budist’s guided assessment methodology to evaluate each product. Their collective insights determined the winners, making the process both inclusive and deeply informed.
The competition culminated in March 2025 with the Farmers Cup Harvest Cup Awards Sesh in Vista, CA—a high-energy celebration that brought together musicians, brands, and cannabis lovers from across the region.
A Consumer-First Approach to Judging
This year marked the first time Budist served as the official judging partner, and our goal was to elevate the judging process by implementing our standardized 100-point methodology, designed to bring consistency and credibility to product evaluation across four key areas: aroma, flavor, appearance, and effect. The framework is inspired by globally respected rating systems used in wine, coffee, and craft beer.
To ensure participants were prepared, Budist Critic and Certified Ganjier Matthew Shevach led virtual training sessions with all judges, guiding them on how to apply the methodology effectively. All reviews were submitted through the Budist platform and analyzed by our team to determine the top entries in the Flower and Pre-Roll categories. In addition to overall winners, awards were given for standouts in specific areas such as aroma, flavor, packaging, and experience.
This structure not only empowered consumers to better understand the nuance of cannabis assessment in an approachable, educational way—it also provided brands with valuable, standardized feedback to inform future product development. At Budist, this reflects our broader mission: to elevate cannabis through transparency, storytelling, and a shared pursuit of excellence.
Recognizing Judges and Their Impact
Budist was proud to play an active role in the Awards Sesh celebration. CEO Jocelyn Sheltraw took the stage to present the “Best Judge” award, honoring the most thoughtful, consistent, and insightful reviews submitted during the competition. The winners—Lucas Indrivoks and Dean Mangione—stood out for their depth of analysis and attention to detail. Since the event, Lucas has joined the Budist team as an official Flower Critic, contributing nearly 25 reviews to date. Dean remains a valued voice in our Top Shelf community, with 15 detailed reviews under his belt.
Budist also led a content initiative to highlight the winning brands and share their stories. Christina Cassidy—also known as "The Canncierge" and a Budist critic specializing in wellness and concentrates—conducted onsite interviews with some of California’s leading cultivators and extractors. These conversations surfaced compelling narratives of innovation, sustainability, and legacy—further elevating the voices behind the products.
Curious what drives California’s top cannabis producers? Hear directly from the Farmers Cup entrants on why they submitted and how they define connoisseurship.
Announcing This Year's Winners
Winning brands represent the very best of California’s market, as chosen by consumer judges in the Farmers Cup. Below are standout ratings and review highlights from both judges and Budist critics. Download the Budist app to explore full reviews and much more!
Ray K by Weedwoodz
This pre-roll took home the trophy for Aroma, Appearance and Flavor at the Farmer’s Cup Sesh, and earned a 90-point score from Budist Jake Kuczeruk, who called it a pre-roll that “heads who hate pre-rolls will appreciate.” He calls the aroma ripe with “gassy diesel kush,” while the flavor is “super glue, turpentine, lemon, mangoes and mint.” He says the effect “makes it feel like gravity has been increased… starts at the head and flows down the body slowly.”
First Class Gas by First Class Genetics
This flower took home first place in the Aroma category, earning an impressive 96 points from Budist and Farmer’s Cup judge Lucas Indrikovs. He writes, “frosty, perfectly trimmed buds offer a fierce aroma of raw garlic, pine, and diesel, with subtle hints of overripe mango and citrus. On the palate, expect an electric clash of bitter citrus and metallic gas paired with a dry, chalky mouthfeel. The high starts with an overwhelming surge of energy leaving you floating in a sea of euphoria.”
French Lotus and Prizm by Maven Genetics
Maven Genetics took home top prizes in the overall category for flower with their French Lotus and Prizm, which took first and second place, respectively. Indrikovs awarded the French Lotus an impressive 93 points, calling the nose “unapologetically funky,” and “rich and savory with an wild umami edge” on the palate, with an effect that offered “sharp mental clarity and sensory expansion.”
Prizm earned a 96 point rating from Indrikovs, which offered a unique aroma of "rosewater and mango that give way to umami-laced gas, slow braised pork and and an unexpected whisper of cilantro,” while the flavor offers “an enigmatic bold hit of gassy minerality.” The high is a “balancing act of Limonene-driven euphoria and Caryophyllene/Myrcene-induced body melt.”
Pink Certz by Tall Tree Society
In the sungrown category, Tall tree Society took home the top prize for their Pink Certz, which Indrikovs awarded 92 points. He said the aroma offered “citrus, mint, basil and grape candy,” while the flavor showed a “late arriving funk reminiscent of loam and metal,” with a stimulating effect.
Looking Ahead: The 710 Cup Edition
Next up: the 710 Cup. Focused on the world of oil, concentrates, and cannabis culture, the 710 Edition of the Farmers Cup is shaping up to be a powerful follow-up to this year’s Harvest Edition.
Budist is once again partnering with Farmers Cup to power the judging process—and judging kits are now available.
Judge Kit Categories
- Concentrates: Rosin and solvent-based (60 kits)
- Edibles: Edibles and infused drinks (70 kits)
- Medicinals: Tinctures and topicals (30 kits)
- Vapes: Rosin and solvent-based vapes (60 kits)
- Flower: All/best of (60 kits)
- Infused Pre-Rolls: All/best of (70 kits)
Important Dates
- Judge Kit Pick-Up: July 10th, 11th, and 12th
- Pick-Up Location: To be announced
- Awards Sesh Event: Details coming soon
Whether you’re a passionate consumer, a curious newcomer, or a brand ready to shine, the 710 Cup offers an opportunity to be part of something special. Judging kits are limited, so don’t wait.
Join us in celebrating cannabis excellence—one review at a time.
* All photos by Chris Wheeler