An Arizona church has reached a settlement in a lawsuit against the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal agencies that allows the Indigenous religious organization to use the psychedelic brew ayahuasca for sacramental purposes. Under the agreement, the Church of the Eagle and the Condor (CEC) will be permitted to import, prepare and distribute ayahuasca to its members at religious ceremonies.

“The Church of the Eagle and the Condor has reached a settlement to secure its religious freedom and the right to use Ayahuasca as its sacrament,” the church wrote in an announcement of the settlement. “This is the first Indigenous-based church to receive recognition and protection.”

In 2022, the CEC filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection and the DEA after DHS officials seized shipments of ayahuasca intended for sacramental use by church members. The lawsuit also cited government threats that the church and its members could face prosecution under federal drug charges if they continued to import ayahuasca, which contains the psychedelic drug and Schedule I controlled substance DMT (N, N-Dimethyltryptamine).

The settlement allows the CEC and its members to obtain and use ayahuasca in paste or liquid form under an exemption to the Controlled Substances Act. The concentrate will then be diluted with water into a ceremonial tea by church members for religious ceremonial purposes held in Phoenix. The settlement permits the DEA to take samples of imported shipments to confirm they contain ayahuasca and no controlled substances other than DMT. 

“This Agreement permits CEC to import, receive, manufacture, distribute, transport, securely store, and dispose of ayahuasca solely for CEC’s religious purposes,” the settlement reads. “CEC may not conduct any of these activities for non-religious purposes, including but not limited to recreational purposes. CEC may not use any DEA registrations subject to this Agreement to import, receive, manufacture, distribute, store, or use any other controlled substance.”

Ayahuasca is used in South America by Indigenous cultures and folk healers in spiritual and religious ceremonies. In recent years, the psychoactive brew has gained popularity with American celebrities including Aaron Rodgers, Will Smith, Miley Cyrus and others, who have used ayahuasca to take advantage of its purported mental health benefits.

CEC Ayahuasquero (sacramental practitioner) Joseph Tafur, M.D. said in a statement that the ceremonial use of ayahuasca “is an essential sacrament for our church.”

“Our ceremony is rooted in the Shipibo Amazonian tradition which has been passed down by countless generations,” he said. “Now, in fulfillment of the ancient Prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor, this tradition has come to North America.” 

“I am honored to be an Ayahuasquero with the CEC, and bring to our ceremony the care, respect, and reverence that it deserves,” Tafur continued, adding, “Our ancestral practice will continue to support the community and nourish our holistic well-being.” 

Belinda P. Eriacho, a CEC board member of Diné and A:shwii lineages, said that the settlement with the DEA “reaffirms our right to practice our spirituality as we have always known. It is a recognition by the U.S. government and an important milestone in honoring and validating indigenous belief systems. Prior to contact, indigenous peoples have used sacred plant medicines for healing and ceremony since time immemorial.”

“Our relationship with our plant relatives has always been an extension of our worldview. This has been interrupted by the imposition of governmental policies that have suppressed our way of life and demonstrated religious intolerance,” Eriacho continued. “This settlement is a significant step and acknowledgment of our spiritual beliefs as original peoples of the Americas.” 

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Many of Massachusetts’ most exquisite cannabis products are smoked or consumed, but few are chosen. 

Cannabis Cups showcase the best cannabis products around, and the ones that really stood out rose to the top. The final results are astounding, and we’re proud to announce that Massachusetts is home to cannabis that’s better than ever. Last year, 2023 rang in the third year that we’ve hosted our High Times Cannabis Cup: People’s Choice Edition in the Bay State. And to kick off 2024, we’re announcing the final winners. 

Massachusetts is home to one of High Times’ most electrified and passionate crowds we’ve ever encountered among all Cannabis Cup events. We collected product submissions last October, representing the state’s best cannabis, via our primary retailer, Nova Farms. Nova Farms has dispensary locations in Attleboro, Framingham, and Dracut, Massachusetts, as well as locations in other states. The brand grows its own cannabis on a 90-acres farm in Sheffield, Massachusetts—one of the largest outdoor cannabis farms in New England.

Other exclusive retail partners that helped to host People’s Choice Edition 2023 include RISE, Native Sun Cannabis, Caroline’s Cannabis, NETA, Northeast Alternatives, Harbor House Collective, Affinity Cannabis, Rooted In, reLeaf Alternative Dispensary, Health Circle, The Botanist, and more. Thank you all.

Amid the holidays, on Dec. 24, Cannabis Cup Judges began sampling products and recorded their thoughts and ratings for each one, ranking them from 1-10 on the factors that define the loudest and best pot on the planet: Aesthetics, Aroma, Taste, Effects, Burnability, and more. They also had an opportunity to  a comments section where they could embellish more on what piqued their attention.It was those thoughts and rankings that determined our winners for 2023.

Last year’s winners include a couple of winners in multiple strains categories, Happy Valley and Rythm—which took home two trophies each. Munchèas always makes a big splash in the form of edibles, along with other brands including Happy Valley, Vibations, and Wynk. 

Adult-use cannabis sales were approved in 2016 with sales kicking off in 2018, and by now, Massachusetts’ market has matured to the point that the competition is getting intense. Don’t worry though, because we narrowed down the top cannabis products already, thanks to the hard work of our Cannabis Cup Judges who diligently record the details that make the final difference.

To all the brands, growers, processors, and retailers: Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. Below are the winners who were rated the highest overall in multiple categories.

Indica Flower

First Place: Harbor House Collective – Kosher Kush 

Second Place: Lazy River Products – Juicee J

Third Place: Superflux – Grapple Pie

Sativa Flower

First Place: Northeast Alternatives – Tropicana Cherry

Second Place: Lazy River Products – Chimera

Third Place: Garden Remedies – White Rainbow Special Stash

Hybrid Flower

First Place: The Botanist – Johnny Apple Seed

Second Place: Lazy River Products – Dante’s Inferno

Third Place: Harbor House Collective – Grape Cream Cake

Non-infused Pre-rolls Flower

First Place: Southie Adams – Lemon Cane 2g Fatty 

Second Place: Springtime – Layer Cake Pre-Roll

Third Place: Green Gold Group – Lemonz Pre-Roll

Infused Pre-rolls Flower

First Place: Pioneer Valley – Grapeness M80 Infused Pre-Roll

Second Place: Southie Adams – Sundaze Infused Blunt

Third Place: Happy Valley – Moonrocket Infused Pre-Roll

Solvent Concentrates

First Place: Superflux – Johnny Apple Seed Live Budder

Second Place: Nature’s Heritage – Sherb Cake Live Resin

Third Place: Sticky Fish – Lemon Party Live Budder

Non-Solvent Concentrates

First Place: Harbor House Collective – Grape Cream Cake Cold Cure Live Rosin

Second Place: Treeworks x Canna Provisions – Chem S1

Third Place: Suncrafted – Bio Diesel #2 Live Rosin Badder

Rosin Vape Pens

First Place: Treeworks – Wedding Pie Live Rosin Cart

Second Place: Harbor House Collective – Papaya Cake Live Rosin Vape

Third Place: Bountiful Farms – Guava Glue Live Hash Rosin Vape

Non-Rosin Vape Pens

First Place: Rove – Watermelon Zkittlez Live Resin Diamond Vape

Second Place: Church x Trade Roots – Ice Cream Cake Live Resin Vape

Third Place: Sticky Fish – Purple Marmalade Live Resin Cart

Edibles: Sativa Gummies

First Place: Beboe – Sparkling Pear Sativa Gummies

Second Place: Happy Valley – End Game Cookies x Guava Passionfruit Rosin Gummies

Third Place: Hashables – Tropical Typhoon Sativa Gummies

Edibles: Indica Gummies

First Place: Beboe – Plum Berry Indica Gummies

Second Place: Zzzonked – Strawberry Slumber Gummies

Third Place: Happy Valley – Grape 2:1 CBN:THC Rapid Onset Gummies

Edibles: Chocolate Non-Gummies

First Place: AHH MOMENTS – Ceremonial Matcha Organic Quinoa Crunch

Second Place: Bubby’s Baked Goods – Brownie Bites

Third Place: Meltdown – Churro Chocolate Bar

Edibles: Beverages

First Place: Vibations – Energy Cannabis Drink Mix

Second Place: Rove – Drink Loud Maui Blast Shot

Third Place: Wynk – Black Cherry Fizz

Topicals + Tinctures + Capsules

First Place: The Fix – Infused Cooling Balm

Second Place: Treeworks – Canna Cream

Third Place: Dr. Healey’s – Pain Balm Stick

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A federal judge in California has ruled against a motion from the U.S. Attorney General’s office to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a church that uses the psychedelic brew ayahuasca as a sacrament. The suit was filed last year by the Church of the Celestial Heart after a shipment of ayahuasca to the church was intercepted by law enforcement officials.

The legal action, which names U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and other federal officials as defendants in the case, was filed by Jade Osborne, the wife of the Church of the Celestial Heart’s pastor Kai Karrel and the intended recipient of the shipment. After the ayahuasca shipment was intercepted, Osborne was arrested and criminally charged in 2021 by authorities in Tulare County, although prosecutors have not filed formal charges.

Osborne, the church, and additional plaintiffs maintain in the lawsuit filed in April 2023 that the federal government is forcing them to choose between practicing their religion or going against their beliefs to avoid prosecution by law enforcement.

“Ayahuasca is an essential sacrament for Karrel, without which he cannot practice his religion or provide services to the church’s members,” the church writes in its suit, according to a report from Courthouse News Service. “Despite these threats, Karrel intends to continue possessing and using the church’s sacrament — ayahuasca.”

In the legal action, the church is seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions barring Garland and federal officials from prosecuting members of the church for using ayahuasca. The suit also requests attorney’s fees and other forms of relief from the government.

AG Files Motion To Dismiss Case

The attorney general’s office filed a motion to dismiss the case, maintaining that the church did state a claim in its filing and does not have standing to file the suit because the seizure was not an injury caused by the named defendants in the case. Although the Department of Homeland Security seized the shipment of ayahuasca, an official with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and arrested Osborne. The motion also requested that if the case was not dismissed, it be stayed until the church applies for a religious exemption to the Controlled Substances Act. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone ruled against the attorney general’s office on all counts.

“The court finds plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged a genuine threat of imminent prosecution … and this supports the conclusion that plaintiffs have demonstrated standing,” the judge wrote in his decision.

Boone noted in his decision that church members intend to continue importing, possessing and using ayahuasca because the church cannot function properly without the sacrament. Members of the church also intend to continue using ayahuasca in its rituals, even with the threat of prosecution from federal and local authorities.

“Here, Celestial Heart alleges it has suffered both financial and spiritual loss having its sacrament confiscated and destroyed,” the judge wrote. “That it is substantially burdened by being forced to choose between following the tenets of its religion or being coerced to act contrary to its religious beliefs by the threat of civil or criminal sanctions; and that it intends to continue importing, possessing, and using its sacrament, for without its sacrament, the Church cannot provide essential services.”

Church members say they believe the ayahuasca was destroyed after it was seized. But the judge determined that even if the brew was destroyed, the threat of federal prosecution of church members could be traced back to the federal officials named in the lawsuit.

Boone also ruled against the attorney general’s motion to stay the case to allow the Drug Enforcement Administration to investigate the religious exemption claims made by the church.

Sean T. McAllister, a Denver attorney representing the Church of the Celestial Heart, declined a request from the Courthouse News Service to comment on the legal action.

“Here, Celestial Heart alleges it has suffered both financial and spiritual loss having its sacrament confiscated and destroyed,” Boone wrote. “That it is substantially burdened by being forced to choose between following the tenets of its religion or being coerced to act contrary to its religious beliefs by the threat of civil or criminal sanctions; and that it intends to continue importing, possessing, and using its sacrament, for without its sacrament, the Church cannot provide essential services.”

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A psychedelic church in Detroit is petitioning a federal court to hear a case against it brought by the city, with church officials arguing that the distribution of psilocybin as a religious sacrament is protected by the U.S. Constitution. 

The church, known as Soul Tribes International Ministries, was raided by Detroit police in September. The following month, the City of Detroit filed a nuisance claim and obtained a temporary restraining order against the church, which is located inside the Bushnell Congregational Church, and its owner Shaman Shu. Under the terms of the restraining order, the church building was padlocked by the city and Shu was barred from entering the building.

On November 6, Shu, also known as Robert Shumake and Bobby Japhia, filed a motion to have the case heard in federal court. Shu argues that the city’s closure of the church is an “illegal” violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. 

City Wants Case Returned to State Court

Earlier this week, lawyers for the city filed a petition to return the case against Shu and the church to the Wayne County Circuit Court. The parties in the legal action are now waiting for a judge to rule whether the case will remain in the federal court system.

Soul Tribes considers psilocybin mushrooms to be a religious sacrament and was selling the psychedelic fungi on church property, according to a report from the Metro Times. After a news story from the outlet about the church was published in September, officers with the Detroit Police Department raided the property, seizing more than 99 pounds of what is believed to be psilocybin mushrooms and 120 pounds of “material believed to be marijuana” from the church, according to court documents. Officers also discovered a laboratory on the premises that was allegedly being used to manufacture psychoactive substances.

Officials with the city declined to comment directly on the case because it is still pending. However, Detroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallet issued a statement, saying, “Exercising one’s religious freedom does not give them license to break the law.”

“The subject property is poorly masquerading as a church but instead is a distribution center for unlawful controlled substances,” the city’s original complaint against Shu and Soul Tribes reads.

The Subject Property has been the source of numerous complaints from Detroit City Council and neighboring city residents,” the complaint adds.

In 2021, Detroit voters approved a ballot measure supported by Shu and the group Decriminalize Nature Detroit that effectively decriminalized entheogenic plants and fungi. However, the drugs are still illegal under state and federal law.

The city maintains in court documents that the case should be heard by the state court that the complaint against Soul Tribes does not involve federal issues.

“Although psilocybin mushrooms are illegal at the federal and state level, the City can prove all elements of their claim without reference to federal law,” attorneys for the city wrote in court documents. “Further, nuisance law is necessarily regional, the focus is on the harm to surrounding neighbors.”

Lawyers Cite Religious Freedom

Shu was previously represented by attorneys with the law firm Detroit’s Cannabis Counsel. But his lawyers withdrew from the case when Shu filed the motion in federal court without their prior knowledge.

Court documents defending Soul Tribes signed by Cannabis Cannabis Counsel attorney Thomas Lavigne argue that “Soul Tribe’s free exercise of religion was adversely affected by the unlawful search warrant executed by the City of Detroit Police Department and this subsequent nuisance abatement action pursued on behalf of the City.”

“Michigan follows the Religious Freedom Restoration Act which requires a compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive way to achieve that interest,” the lawyers continued in the state court filing. “Every person in Michigan is at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of that person’s own conscience; and the civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of any person may not be diminished or enlarged on account of a person’s religious belief.”

Shu is now represented by Florida-based attorney George Lake, who is temporarily licensed in the Eastern District Court of Michigan to handle Shu’s case. Lake is reportedly considered an expert in “the free exercise of religion and the sacramental consumption of psychedelics/entheogens.”

“This raises very substantial questions of free exercise of religion and how we define religion,” Lake told the Metro Times about the Soul Tribes case. “Entheogens, scientifically, have been shown to produce primary religious mystical experiences. If a church or person chooses to consume these substances with those types of intentions, is that a protected religious exercise? That’s really where the fundamental question is for me and what ultimately I want the court to address.”

Shu and Lake have announced plans for a $1 billion countersuit against the city, alleging racial and religious discrimination. They also maintain that Soul Tribes suffered $500,000 worth of vandalism and damage, including stolen plumbing and flooding while the building was padlocked by the city. On December 6, Shu removed the padlocks from the building to reopen the building when he discovered the damages.

“When we talk about religious freedom, how do you really put a price tag on having your religious freedom limited even for like one day?” said Lake. “But also there’s some appreciable economic damages that have occurred since the city got that temporary order and took possession of the building.”

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Law enforcement officials in Tennessee have shut down a cannabis cultivation site that was operating in a converted church, seizing about 2,000 weed plants in the process. The raid on the church, which was conducted last week by the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), was the result of a weeks-long investigation, according to law enforcement officials.

Although the plant count was not especially high for commercial marijuana growing operations, Sheriff Frankie Gray noted that the bust shut down Stewart County’s largest discovered weed farm ever.

“The sheriff’s office shut down the largest marijuana grow in county history,” Gray said in a statement to local media.

In a social media post on Friday, the sheriff’s office noted that deputies had been conducting an investigation of the church for three weeks after local residents reported a strong odor emanating from the property. The investigators conducted traffic stops to question people they had seen coming from and going to the church and were told that hemp was being grown at the site, which is legal in Tennessee with a license from the state.

Sheriff’s deputies also investigated the electricity and water usage at the property, which was originally built as a Methodist church in 1960 and later sold. Investigators learned that the grow operation had a water bill that was characterized by local media as “high” and was using about $3,000 per month in electricity.

Last week, the SCSO obtained a search warrant for the church on Highway 46 in the community of Indian Mound. Sheriff’s deputies and law enforcement officers from the 23rd Judicial Drug Task Force then raided the site on Thursday and discovered about 2,000 cannabis plants including live plants and others that had already been harvested and dried. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also assisted in serving the search warrant.

Cops Fear Possible Booby Traps At Cultivation Site

The sheriff’s office said the marijuana cultivation operation included elaborate lighting and watering systems operated by automatic timers. The agency also reported that the search of the site was slowed as deputies investigated “the possibility of booby traps laid out for law enforcement.” The SCSO also reported that investigators found “a large amount of possibly toxic chemicals” at the site.

Law enforcement officers took one person into custody when the search warrant was served, although officials did not specify what charges the individual was being held on. Others are wanted for questioning, the sheriff’s office said.

The converted church, which is located in northern central Tennessee about 70 miles northwest of Nashville, is listed for sale on Zillow, according to media reports. The property is listed as having four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The listing also notes that the site, which formerly had two buildings, was converted into one building with the addition of a breezeway. The person posting the listing said they were “looking for a quick sale” of the property.

Tennessee is one of only about a dozen U.S. states that have not adopted a comprehensive plan to legalize medical marijuana, although a limited measure to legalize low-THC CBD oil was passed in 2015. Possession of even small amounts of cannabis is still a misdemeanor criminal offense.

Those who commented on the social media post from the sheriff’s office in conservative Stewart County were mostly in favor of the law enforcement action to shut down the cannabis cultivation site discovered at the church last week.

“Our Law Enforcement Agency is always on top of things. Great job!” one person commented.

“Thank you for shutting this operation down,” said another. “Your hard work is appreciated. Stay safe.”

“Thankful for our sheriff’s department and all involved,” added a third Facebook user.

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Welcome one and all, to the return of our beloved High Times Cannabis Cup Michigan: People’s Choice Edition 2023! This year marks the fourth year we’ve set up a People’s Choice Edition competition in Michigan, and this most recent winner’s list shows off the thrilling reveal that you’ve all been waiting for. With a massive 21-category breakdown this year, we’re proud to display the winners as determined by our Michigan judges.

Medical Edibles

First Place: Dream Edibles – Dark Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Caramel 2x100mg

Second Place: Covert Cups – Peanut Butter Cups

Third Place: True North Collective – Sweet Summer Peach THC Gummies

Medical Concentrates

First Place: Element x Kai Cannabis – Black Cherry Punch Live Rosin

Second Place: Motor City Melts – Minties Rosin

Third Place: Petro – Ice Cream Cake Live Rosin

Medical Infused Pre-Rolls

First Place: Holey Cannoli – Jealousy x Garlic Cookies Infused Pre-Roll

Second Place: Element x Pro Gro – Sherb Cream Pie Live Resin Joint

Third Place: Ghostbudsters – Crypto Bites Mini Infused Pre-Roll Pack

Medical Non-Infused Pre-Rolls

First Place: LocalGrove – Runtz Pre-Roll

Second Place: Uplyfted – Greazy Runtz Pre-Roll

Third Place: High Minded – Sour Sunset Sherbet Pre-Roll

Medical Hybrid Flower

First Place: New Lyfe – Gogurtz

Second Place: Heavyweight Heads – Wet P

Third Place: Happy Little Tree Co. – Dog Walker OG

Medical Sativa Flower

First Place: Dutch Touch Genetics – Mr. Clean

Second Place: Leilani Bee – Lemon Mai Tai

Third Place: Heavyweight Heads – Lion Order King Clementine

Medical Indica Flower

First Place: MI Loud Farms – Kush Mints

Second Place: Heavyweight Heads – Giraffe Head

Third Place: Doghouse – Garlato

AU Topicals + Tinctures + Capsules + Sublinguals

First Place: Mary’s Medicinals – 1:1 CBD:THC Transdermal Patch

Second Place: Heavyweight Heads – Lion Order by Rohan Marley Lion Balm

Third Place: Northern Connections – Extra Strength 1:1 Topical Relief Cream

AU Edibles: Non-Gummies

First Place: Kiva – Churro Milk Chocolate Bar 200mg

Second Place: Dope Cakes – Peanut Butter Dope Dough

Third Place: Potdots – Sugar Shelled THC-Infused Milk Chocolates

AU Edibles: Non-Solvent Gummies

First Place: FloraCal – Pink Lemonade Live Rosin Gummies

Second Place: Afternoon Delite – Blue Lemonade Hash Rosin Gummies

Third Place: MKX x North Coast x Pressure Pack – Strawberry Lemon Live Hash Rosin Gummies

AU Edibles: Solvent Gummies

First Place: Afternoon Delite – Blue Lemonade Crunch Gummies

Second Place: Dixie – Fast-Acting Juicy Punch Gummies

Third Place: True North Collective – Strawberry Lemonade THC Gummies

AU Non-Distillate Vapes

First Place: Element Pure Live x Pro Gro – Lunar Lemon Live Resin Cart

Second Place: North Coast – Gelonade Hash Rosin Vape Pod

Third Place: Five Star Extracts – Black Cherry Trop Nug Run Sugar Sauce Vape

AU Distillate Vapes

First Place: Workers Cannabis – Unicorn Piss Vape

Second Place: North Cannabis Co – Traverse City Cherry Punch Cart

Third Place: Church x Local Grove – Nitroux Vape

AU Non-Solvent Concentrates

First Place: Pressure Pack x North Coast – Blue Zorbet Hash Rosin

Second Place: LightSky Farms – Grape Breath Live Rosin

Third Place: Society C – Pastries Live Rosin

AU Solvent Concentrates

First Place: HumbleBee x Exotic Matter – Papaya Live Resin

Second Place: Cannabee Extracts – Tahitian Sunset Terp Diamonds

Third Place: Element x Pro Gro – Sherb Cream Pie Live Resin

AU Infused Pre-Rolls

First Place: North Coast x Pressure Pack – Lemon Rain Infused Donut Pre-Roll

Second Place: Uplyfted – Grape Gas Bubble Hash Infused Pre-Roll

Third Place: Crude Boys – King Kong Black Widow Infused Pre-Roll

AU Non-Infused Pre-Rolls

First Place: North Coast x Pressure Pack – Permanent Marker 2g Cannon

Second Place: Uplyfted – Super Runtz Pre-Roll

Third Place: LocalGrove – Ice Cream Cake Pre-Roll

AU Infused Flower + Moonrocks

First Place: Crude Boys – Hans Solo Funk Frosted Buds

Second Place: Cannabee Extracts – Laughing Gas Moonrocks

Third Place: Freshy Fine – Motorbreath Moonrocks

AU Hybrid Flower

First Place: MI Loud Farms – Garlic Cocktail

Second Place: Stone Depot – Cap Junky

Third Place: Pro Gro – Moonbow #12

AU Sativa Flower

First Place: High Level Health – Blue Skunk

Second Place: Pressure Pack – Orange Bomb

Third Place: LocalGrove – Black Marshmallow

AU Indica Flower

First Place: Society C – Spritzer

Second Place: Higher Love – Tokyo Drip

Third Place: LocalGrove – Count Chunkula

If you want to compare results to previous competition winners, check out our winning results from 2022 and 2021 as well! You can look forward to even more People’s Choice Edition news and announcements at Cannabiscup.com.

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Spanning across 35 subgroups divided by ideology, religiosity, and age, the majority of nearly every demographic supported legal cannabis in the U.S. with just two exceptions: Older conservatives ages 50+, and “people who attend church weekly.”

Gallup recently released a poll with the latest data conducted on Oct. 3 to 20. Study results are based on telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,009 adults living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The list includes people from all walks of life, male and female, Democrat and Republican. Per usual, landline and cell phone telephone numbers were selected using random digit dial methods.

And using this and combined data gathered over the past five years—2018 through 2022—they released a stronger aggregated analysis of demographic differences in views about pot legalization, which they say is better than providing data from one poll alone.

Holding steady for the past two years, a record-high 68% of Americans across the board said they support legal pot. That number remained unchanged since the poll was conducted in 2020 and 2021.

Gallup Results Across Ideologies

People with no religious preference topped the list at 89%, liberals closed in second at 84%, Democrats at 81%, young adults close behind at 79%, and those who seldom or never attend religious services next at 78%.

The only subgroups that did not favor legal pot by majority are those who attend church weekly at 46% and conservatives at 49%—however younger conservatives ages 18 to 49 favored pot legalization slightly. Baby boomer conservatives, however, are a different story.

“Americans have grown much more supportive of legalizing marijuana over the past two decades, but support appears to be leveling off for now, not showing any change in the past three years,” wrote Jeffrey M. Jones in the poll report.

Protestants and Catholics showed equal support for legal pot at 60% each. It appears that college education changes attitudes to be more positive about cannabis: graduates supported legal pot more than non-graduates, with 69% and 66%, respectively. Stay in school, folks.

“While majorities of most major subgroups are in favor of legalizing marijuana, there are a few holdouts—-namely, political conservatives and regular churchgoers,” he continued. “Small segments of the population (in particular, older conservatives) are still disinclined to think marijuana use should be legal. However, younger conservatives and younger moderates are more inclined than their older counterparts to think cannabis should be legal. As such, in future decades support for legalizing marijuana can be expected to continue to grow as newer, likely more pro-marijuana, generations replace older generations in the U.S. population.”

Suburban residents supported legal pot the most at 72%, more than city residents (67%) and rural residents (60%). Men were also slightly more supportive of legal pot (70%) than women (65%).

The Growing Support of Legal Pot

In 1969, the first time Gallup conducted this poll, only 12% of Americans said cannabis should be legal. That number has gone up steadily, stalling briefly amid the “Just Say No” fever movement of the ‘80s, but climbing to 68% where it stands today. 

The polls show the normalization of cannabis use in America, which is light years away from prior generations.

Time is ticking for the generations that do not support legal pot, which shrinks consistently each year. Younger conservatives—who now support legal pot—are replacing their older counterparts and pretty soon, the ballot boxes.

Download the PDF of a complete list of Gallup’s poll responses here.

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The time has come to announce the proud winners of the Cannabis Cup People’s Choice Edition in the “Silver State” of Nevada. While the famed cannabis cup event has gone virtual, you can still bet that the competition and winning products are better than ever before. Join us in congratulating the many well-deserved winners of the Cannabis Cup Nevada: People’s Choice Edition 2021.

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all the judges who dedicated themselves to judging the competition entries, helping us crown the best of Nevada. There were some seriously solid contenders, and we can’t wait to return next year!

This competition wouldn’t be possible without the support from our sponsors. We’d like to give a special shout out to our Presenting Sponsor CAMP, our Silver Sponsors FloraVega and Elusive Handcrafted Cannabis and our Bronze Sponsor Bohemian Brothers. Also, big thanks to our General Sponsors Silver State Relief, Kanha, Shango, Srene, Rove and Medizin.

Finally, we’d like to thank our intake partner, Exhale, as well as our retailers: Jade, Exhale, Jardín, The Sanctuary, Zen Leaf, Cookies on Flamingo, Essence, Cookies on the Strip, Essence, Silver Sage Wellness and Oasis.

For more info on how to become a judge and to sign up for updates, please visit CannabisCup.com/preregister.

Indica Flower

First Place: The Grower Circle – Pellegreeno

Second Place: Aether Gardens – Slurricane #7

Third Place: FloraVega – Chernobyl

Sativa Flower

First Place: Matrix – Super Sour Diesel

Second Place: Medizin – Chloe

Third Place: FloraVega – Tropicanna Punch

Hybrid Flower

First Place: Virtue – Diamond Dust

Second Place: Medizin – White Truffle

Third Place: Fiore – Wedding Pie

Pre-Rolls

First Place: Verano – Swift Lifts Gelato Pre-Rolls

Second Place: Qualcan – Drago Pre-Roll

Third Place: Cannabiotix – Kush Mountains Pre-Roll

Infused Pre-Rolls

First Place: The Grower Circle – Cosa Nostra Infused Pre-Roll

Second Place: CAMP – Animal Face Infused Pre-Roll

Third Place: Featured Farms x Nature’s Chemistry – OG Kush Infused Pre-Rolls

Sativa Concentrates

First Place: City Trees – Apricot Crumble Sativa Live Resin Sauce

Second Place: Matrix – Durban Tang Sativa Live Resin Syringe

Third Place: Verano – G Wagon Sativa BHO Live Badder

Indicia Concentrates

First Place: Aether Gardens – Banana Ice Water Indica Live Rosin

Second Place: Melting Point Extracts – Duct Tape Indica Live Resin Sauce

Third Place: Huni – Peach Crescendo Indica Live Resin Budder

Sativa Vape Pens

First Place: City Trees – Apricot Crumble Sativa Live Resin Vape

Second Place: Matrix – Tangilope Sativa Live Resin Vape Pen

Third Place: Medizin – Hawaiian Butterscotch Sativa Vape

Indica Vape Pens

First Place: Church – Runtz Indica Vape

Second Place: Rove – Lychee Indica Vape Pen

Third Place: CAMP – Rainbow OG Live Rosin Indica Vape

Edibles: Gummies

First Place: Shango – Watermelon Gummies

Second Place: Dixie – Tropic Twist Gummies

Third Place: Encore Edibles – Berry Burst Indica Gummies

Edibles: Non-Gummies

First Place: Qualcan – Fruity Rice Crispy

Second Place: Incredibles – Black Cherry 1:1 Bar

Third Place: Dixie – Fruit Punch Elixir

The post The Winners of The Cannabis Cup Nevada: People’s Choice Edition 2021 appeared first on High Times.

The post The Winners of The Cannabis Cup Nevada: People’s Choice Edition 2021 appeared first on Paradise Found.

The cannabis cup is virtual this year—virtually awesome, that is, with our People’s Choice Edition making it possible to judge safely from the comfort of your home. Here are the well-deserved winners of the Cannabis Cup Massachusetts: People’s Choice Edition 2021.

Thank you to all the judges who put their hearts and souls into judging the competition entries to help crown the best of Massachusetts! This is the first-ever High Times Cannabis Cup to be held in “The Bay State” of Massachusetts. We can’t wait to return next year!

For more info on how to become a judge and to sign up for updates, please visit CannabisCup.com/preregister.

Indica Flower

First Place: Bountiful Farms – Secret Formula

Second Place: Northeast Alternatives – Runtz

Third Place: Rythm – Brownie Scout

Fourth Place: Apothca – Vanilla Gorilla

Fifth Place: Trulieve – Banana OG

Sativa Flower

First Place: Happy Valley – Super Lemon Haze

Second Place: Bountiful Farms – Piña Grande

Third Place: Berkshire Roots – Orange Chemeleon

Fourth Place: Rythm – Tahitian Punch

Fifth Place: Apothca – Honolulu

Hybrid Flower

First Place: Happy Valley – White Wedding

Second Place: Northeast Alternatives – Ice Cream Man

Third Place: Nature’s Heritage – Crescendo

Fourth Place: Sira Naturals – Wedding Cake

Fifth Place: Rev Clinics – Gelato #33

Pre-Rolls

First Place: Nova Farms – Southie Sundaze Infused Blunt

Second Place: Yamna – Tropicanna Cookies Cannagar

Third Place: Triple M – Triple Monster Infused Pre-Roll

Fourth Place: Insa – Kush Mints Pre-Roll

Fifth Place: Funky Monkey – Tropic Truffle Monkey Bones Pre-Roll

Concentrates

First Place: Rythm – Energize Durban Live Resin Sugar

Second Place: Bountiful Farms – Garlic Juice Live Rosin

Third Place: Nova Farms – Southie Adams – GMO Live Hash Rosin

Fourth Place: Northeast Alternatives – Tangerine Cookies OG Diamonds

Fifth Place: Berkshire Roots – Zombie Virus Crumble

Sativa Vape Pens

FIrst Place: Insa – Clementine Sativa Vape

Second Place: Pioneer Valley – Mango Super Silver Haze Sativa Vape

Third Place: Fernway – Red Headed Stranger Sativa Vape

Fourth Place: Happy Valley – T. Sage Sativa Vape

Fifth Place: HÅVN Extracts – Durban Poison Solventless Terpene Sativa Vape

Indica Vape Pens

First Place: Church – Watermelon Zkittlez Indica Vape

Second Place: HÅVN Extracts – Hindu Kush Solventless Terpene Indica Vape

Third Place: Rove – Skywalker Indica Vape

Fourth Place: Rythm – Brownie Scout Indica Vape

Fifth Place: Insa – Zlife Indica Vape

Edibles: Gummies

First Place: HÅVN Extracts – Lemon Sour Amnesia Gummies

Second Place: Happy Valley – Strawberry Margarita Gummies

Third Place: Marmas – Blue Raspberry Gummies

Fourth Place: Cannatini – Cranberry Lime Mojito Gummies

Fifth Place: Insa – Black Cherry Sleepy Drops

Edibles: Chocolate Non-Gummies

First Place: Insa – Double Caramel Sea Salt Chocolate Bar

Second Place: Coast Cannabis – S’mores Chocolate Bar

Third Place: Koko Gemz – Cookies & Cream Chocolates

Fourth Place: Pioneer Valley – Habañero Dark Chocolate Bites

Fifth Place: Cheeba Chews – Trifecta Caramel Taffy

Edibles: Fruity Non-Gummies

First Place: Hi Burst – Raspberry Lemonade Fruit Chews

Second Place: Forbidden Fruit – Dried Mango THC Slices

Third Place: Berkshire Roots – White Peach Roots Fruits Pâte de Fruit

Fourth Place: Nova Farms – Strawberry Honey Sticks

Fifth Place: Incredibles – Fruit Trio Tarts

Topicals and Tinctures

First Place: Treeworks – Daily Drops Sunrise Punch

Second Place: Happy Valley – Remedy Tincture

Third Place: Sira Naturals – Nordic Goddess Body Balm

Fourth Place: Doctor Solomon’s – Doze Drops

Fifth Place: Insa – Tropical Express Tincture

The post The Winners of The Cannabis Cup Massachusetts: People’s Choice Edition 2021 appeared first on High Times.

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