It may be the most culturally significant moment for California agriculture since the famed Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting in 1976 in which a panel of mainly French wine judges scored Napa Valley wines above those of Burgundy and Bordeaux, a result that rattled the wine world and launched the craze for California wine.
In five years, it has gone from being a lowly baggie of skunk purchased from the friend of a guy at work to being invited to compete among the jellies and jams at the state fair.
Marijuana and its growers have played a vital part in the state’s economy for decades, generating more than $3 billion a year in licensed cannabis sales.
Which means that cannabis is overdue to take its place at the fair alongside artisanal products such as olive oil, cheese and wine.
The pioneering Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam, started in the late 1980s by High Times magazine, became so successful that it spawned a global industry of such contests.
Instead of smoking to find the dankest flavor and effects, plants will be judged using laboratory testing — which is akin to putting a gourmet meal into a blender and then measuring how many calories it contains.
And within the varietals loosely labeled as indica, sativa and hybrid, there are hundreds of combinations of these various terpenes bringing unique flavors, scents and sensations of euphoria, relaxation or an extra burst of energy.
In wine-judging competitions, the category of white wine contains dozens of distinct varietals that include Albariño, Chardonnay and Macabeo.
California may be the tech capital of the world, but putting tech in the judging seat may be going a bit too far.
Although in fairness to the judges, the analytics do even the playing field.
That approach might be based in science and wholly impartial, but as a judge I would drink the rosé.