For nearly two centuries, the California State Fair has awarded Golden Bears to the best of California agriculture, including wine, craft beer, olive oil and cheese. Beginning in 2022, cannabis was added to the competition in recognition of its role in the state’s diverse agricultural sector.

“The journey to cannabis consumption at the California State Fair has spanned 170 years. It's been a challenging path for many, but today we honor their work, their dreams and their craft,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of the California State Fair, during the Oscars-style cannabis awards. “This ceremony stands as a tribute to all those who came before us…my hope is that 170 years from now, we’ll look back at 2024 and say, ‘This was the year the game changed again.’”

In 2022 and 2023, the cannabis competition assessed flower across indoor, mixed-light and outdoor categories. This year, the fair expanded the competition to include nine categories: indoor, mixed-light and outdoor flower, alongside concentrate, cartridge, pre-roll, edible, beverage and wellness categories. Winners include:

Competition entries underwent rigorous scientific testing by trusted laboratory SC Labs and blind tasting by Budist’s professional judging panel, a group of cannabis connoisseurs who reviewed and judged each product using its proprietary, 100-point standardized rating system.

“We’re honored and privileged to serve as the official judging platform for such a historic competition,” said Jocelyn Sheltraw, CEO and co-founder of Budist. “These awards honor exceptional craftsmanship and educate and engage consumers while paving the way for cannabis to be appreciated as an artisanal product.”