The High Times Cannabis Cup is the world’s preeminent Cannabis festival. Founded in 1987 by Steven Hager

Steven Hager

Steven Hager, a writer, journalist, filmmaker, and counterculture and cannabis activist, was born May 25, 1951, in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, the son of Lowell P. Hager and Francis Erea Hager.-Early life and career:...

, the High Times Cannabis Cup takes place each November in Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...

. The event allows judges from around the world to sample and vote for their favorite marijuana strains. These judges-at-large decide the Cannabis Cup (overall winner in the cannabis strain competition), best new product, best booth, best glass, best hash and best Nederhash. A team of VIP judges decide which seed company has grown the best marijuana. The High Times Cannabis Cup also includes live music, comedy and an expo for marijuana-related products from cannabis-oriented businesses. Beginning with the 6th Cup, Hager began fusing counterculture spirituality into the event and using the time 4:20

420 (cannabis culture)

420, 4:20 or 4/20 refers to consumption of cannabis and, by extension, a way to identify oneself with cannabis subculture. The notable day for these is April 20.- Origins of terms :...

 as an important ceremonial moment. "Most of what I learned about spirituality came from Stephen Gaskin

Stephen Gaskin

Stephen Gaskin is a counterculture hippie icon best known for his presence in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco in the 1960s and for co-founding "The Farm", a famous spiritual intentional community in Summertown, Tennessee...

 and Ina May Gaskin

Ina May Gaskin

Ina May Gaskin, CPM, has been described as "the mother of authentic midwifery."-Family:Gaskin was born to an Iowa Protestant family . Her father, Talford Middleton, was raised on a large Iowa farm, which was lost to a bank not long after his father’s accidental death in 1926...

 and from attending National Rainbow Family Gatherings," says Hager.

Marijuana use is decriminalized

Decriminalization

Decriminalization or Decriminalisation is the abolition of criminal penalties in relation to certain acts, perhaps retroactively, though perhaps regulated permits or fines might still apply . The reverse process is criminalization.Decriminalization reflects changing social and moral views...

 in most parts of The Netherlands

Netherlands

The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...

. Much of the marijuana present at the Cup is from the different coffee shops

Cannabis coffee shop

Coffeeshops are establishments in the Netherlands where the sale of cannabis for personal consumption by the public is tolerated by the local authorities ....

 around Amsterdam. Usually the High Times Cannabis Cup features a surprise strain of marijuana that is new to the culture and will be tested by the judges. Many tourists go to Amsterdam specifically to attend the festival.

Recently, High Times created the Medical Cannabis Cup – an event that celebrates the medical marijuana movement in America. The first High Times Medical Cannabis Cup

High Times Medical Cannabis Cup

The High Times Medical Cannabis Cup is an annual event celebrating medical marijuana. The first Medical Cannabis Cup took place in San Francisco, California June 19–20, 2010....

 took place in San Francisco, California June 19-20, 2010.

Judging

To be a judge one must pay an extra fee, which allows the attendee to vote upon the many different strains. The judge's pass sells for $199 USD prior to June 1 after which the price increases to $250 USD. A judge's pass costs 250 euros if purchased at the event.

One big misconception is that marijuana at the High Times Cannabis Cup is consumed only by means of smoking. However, any method of getting high through the use of cannabis is acceptable at the Cup.

Visitors

People from around the globe attend the festival. 2003 marked the festival's first decline in attendance, so 2004's event was held on a smaller basis. Since then, the event has rebounded to new heights. The highest recorded participation was in 2008 with 2,300 judges.

Counterculture Hall of Fame

The Counterculture Hall of Fame

Counterculture Hall of Fame

The Counterculture Hall of Fame was created in 1997 by High Times Editor Steven Hager. The purpose of the Hall of Fame was to help focus ceremonies at the annual Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam, and to celebrate the history of the counterculture by recognizing its saints. The inductions are done in...

 was created in 1997 to celebrate the history of the counterculture and the people who helped shape it. The induction ceremony for the Counterculture Hall of Fame is held during the High Times Cannabis Cup each November.

Previous inductees include Bob Marley

Bob Marley

Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...

 (1997), Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....

 (1998), William S. Burroughs

William S. Burroughs

William Seward Burroughs II was an American novelist, poet, essayist and spoken word performer. A primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodernist author, he is considered to be "one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the 20th...

, Allen Ginsberg

Allen Ginsberg

Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...

, and Jack Kerouac

Jack Kerouac

Jean-Louis "Jack" Lebris de Kerouac was an American novelist and poet. He is considered a literary iconoclast and, alongside William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, a pioneer of the Beat Generation. Kerouac is recognized for his spontaneous method of writing, covering topics such as Catholic...

 (1999), Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...

 (2002), Jack Herer

Jack Herer

Jack Herer was an American cannabis activist and the author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes, a book which has been used in efforts to decriminalize cannabis.-Biography:...

 (2003), Tommy Chong

Tommy Chong

Tommy Chong is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, writer, director, activist, and musician who is well known for his stereotypical portrayals of hippie-era stoners...

 and Cheech Marin

Cheech Marin

Richard Anthony "Cheech" Marin is an American comedian, actor and writer who gained recognition as part of the comedy act Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s, and as Don Johnson's partner, Insp. Joe Dominguez on Nash Bridges...

 (2007), Peter Tosh

Peter Tosh

Peter Tosh, born Winston Hubert McIntosh , was a Jamaican reggae musician who was a core member of the band The Wailers , and who afterward had a successful solo career as well as being a promoter of Rastafari.Peter Tosh was born in Grange Hill, Jamaica, an illegitimate child to a mother too young...

 (2008) Tom Forcade

Tom Forcade

Thomas King Forçade , aka John Thomas Moore and Kenneth Goodson Jr., was an American underground journalist and activist in the 1970s...

 (2009) and Coke La Rock

Coke La Rock

Coke La Rock is an old school New York City rapper who is often credited as being the first MC in the history of hip-hop.In November, 2010, Coke La Rock was inducted into the High Times Counterculture Hall of Fame at the annual ceremonies at the Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam...

 (2010).

Film

A DVD called High Times Presents: The Cannabis Cup was made after 2003's festival. A film of the 2007 High Times Cannabis Cup, which marked the event's 20th anniversary, was released in the summer of 2008. The 20th High Times Cannabis Cup featured hosts Tommy Chong and Redman,

Past winners

1. 1st Cup 1988 - Skunk #1 from Cultivator's Choice
2. 2nd Cup 1989 - Early Pearl/Skunk #1 x Northern Lights #5/Haze from the Seed Bank
3. 3rd Cup 1990 - Northern Lights #5 from the Seed Bank (please see discussion page before attempting to change this entry)
4. 4th Cup 1991 - Skunk from Free City
5. 5th Cup 1992 - Haze x Skunk #1 from Homegrown Fantasy
6. 6th Cup 1993 - Haze x Northern Lights #5 from Sensi Seed Bank
7. 7th Cup 1994 - Jack Herer from Sensi Seed Bank
8. 8th Cup 1995 - White Widow
   White widow (cannabis)
   White Widow is a strain of cannabis produced by Australian cannabis breeder Scott "Shantibaba" Blakey known for its abundance of white trichomes and high potency. White Widow has been reported to leave the user with a relaxed feeling. It, like most indica marijuana strains, is a good appetite...
   
    from the Green House
9. 9th Cup 1996 - White Russian from De Dampkring
10. 10th Cup 1997 - Peace Maker from De Dampkring
11. 11th Cup 1998 - Super Silver Haze from the Green House
12. 12th Cup 1999 - Super Silver Haze from the Green House
13. 13th Cup 2000 - Blueberry from the Noon
14. 14th Cup 2001 - Sweet Tooth from Barney's
15. 15th Cup 2002 - Morning Glory from Barney's
16. 16th Cup 2003 - Hawaiian Snow from Green House
17. 17th Cup 2004 - Amnesia Haze from Barney's
18. 18th Cup 2005 - Juicy Mango Haze from Barney's
19. 19th Cup 2006 - Arjan's Ultra Haze #1 from Green House
20. 20th Cup 2007 - G-13 Haze from Barney's
21. 21st Cup 2008 - Super Lemon Haze from Green House United
22. 22nd Cup 2009 - Super Lemon Haze from Green House United
23. 23rd Cup 2010 - Tangerine Dream from Barney's
24. 420rd Cup 2011 - Liberty Haze from Barney's

17th High Times Cannabis Cup (2004) Winners and Categories

Overall Cannabis Cup

1. Amnesia Haze by Barney's Breakfast Bar
2. Killer Green by Katsu
3. Jack Flash by Sensi Seeds

Indica Cup

1. God Bud by BC Bud Depot
2. MK Ultra by TH Seeds
3. L.A. Confidential by DNA Genetics

Sativa Cup

1. Love Potion No. 1 by Reeferman Seeds
2. Arjan's Haze No. 1 by Green House Seeds
3. Sage 'N Sour by TH Seeds

Import Hash Cup

1. Caramella Cream by Barney's Breakfast Bar
2. Royal Cream Gold by Rokerij
3. Nepal Pollen Shoe by Green House Seeds

18th High Times Cannabis Cup (2005) Winners And Categories

Overall Cannabis Cup

1. Willie Nelson by Barney's
2. Arjan's Schoenmaker Zwevers Ultra Haze 2 by Green House
3. Silver Haze by Coffeeshop Dampkring

Indica Cup (Seed Company)

1. Lavender by Soma Seeds
   Soma Seeds
   Soma Seeds is an Amsterdam based medical cannabis seed company owned by Soma.The company became internationally famous after wining the 1999 High Times Cannabis Cup with Soma's 'Reclining Buddha' strain in the Indica category, in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 with 'NYC Diesel' strain in the Sativa...
   
   
2. LA Confidential by DNA
3. Sensi Star by Paradise Seeds

Sativa Cup (Seed Company)

1. Martian Mean Green by DNA
2. Nebula by Paradise Seeds
3. Kushage by THSeeds
4. Romulan by Meekseeds

Import Hash Cup

1. Caramella Cream by Barney's
2. Rifman Malika by De Dampkring
3. King Hassan by Green House

Nederhash Cup

1. Waterworks by De Dampkring
2. Kadni Bubble by Barney's
3. Arjan's Ultra 2 Haze Hash by Green House

Glass Cup

1. Triple Perculator by Green Devil
2. D-Line by DNA
3. Opal Smooth by ROOR Glass

Product Award

1. Vapezilla by Wicked Roots
2. Pollinator by Bubblator
3. Mini Matches by De Dampkrin
4. Phil Lesh Kadeshhh by Golden Bud of Unlimited Tokevotion

19th High Times Cannabis Cup (2006) Winners And Categories

Cannabis Cup

1. Arjan's Schoenmaker Zwervers Ultra Haze#1 - Green House
2. G13 Haze - Barney's
3. Martian Mean Green - Grey Area

Sativa Cup

1. Mako Haze - Kiwiseeds
2. Opium - Paradise Seeds
3. Blue Cheese - Big Buddha Seeds

Indica

1. Big Buddha Cheese - Big Buddha Seeds
2. Fruity Thai - Ceres Seeds
3. Night Shade - Barney's

Hash

1. Sexpot Holland- Netherlands, Holland Home Brew
2. Carmello Cream - Barney's
3. Carmello Royale - Green House
4. Rifman's Noor - De Dampkring

Nederhash

1. Barney Rubble - Barney's
2. Water Works - De Dampkring
3. Master Kush Isolater - Green House

Product

1. Super Vapezilla - Wicked Roots
2. Portable Vortex Gravity Bong - Gravity Vortex
3. Aleda Papers - Aleda

Expo

1. Barney's Farm
2. Green House
3. Wicked Roots

20th High Times Cannabis Cup (2007) Winners And Categories

Cannabis Cup

1. G-13 Haze - Barney's
2. Chocolope - Grey Area
3. Super Silver Haze - Green House United

Indica Cup

1. Top Dog - Amnesia Seeds
2. Crimea Blue - Barney's Farm
3. Reserva Privada #18 - Reserva Privada

Sativa Cup

1. Kia Kush - Apothecary
2. Tasman Haze - Kiwi Seeds
3. The Purps - BC Bud Depot

Neder Hash

1. Violator Ice-o-lator - Barney's
2. Bubble Mania - Green House United
3. Grey Crystals - Grey Area

Import Hash

1. Triple X - Barney's
2. King Hassan Supreme - Green House United
3. Rifman's Habibi - De Dampkring

Product Cup

1. Barney's Gift Bag - Barney's
2. Portable Vortex Gravity Bong - Gravity Vortex
3. Vaporstar Vaporizer by Vaporstar

Best Booth

1. Barney's Farm
2. DNA Seeds
3. Green House Seeds

21st High Times Cannabis Cup (2008) Winners And Categories

Cannabis Cup

1. Super Lemon Haze - Greenhouse United
2. Utopia Haze - Barney's
3. Chocolope - The Green Place

Indica Cup

1. Mt. Cook - Kiwi Seeds
2. Cheese - Homegrown Fantaseeds
3. LSD - Barney's Farm

Sativa Cup

1. Utopia Haze - Barney's
2. DeLaHaze - Paradise
3. Cannatonic - Resin Seeds

Neder Hash

1. Royal Jelly - Barney's
2. Greenhouse Ice - Greenhouse
3. Grey Crystal - Grey Area

Import Hash

1. Triple Zero - Barney's
2. Super Palm - Greenhouse
3. Shiraz - Amnesia

Product Cup

1. (tie) BC Chillum - Barney's &

   Pocket Alchemy - DNA

3. Bubble Bags - Bubble Bags

4. Glass Vaporizer - Herborizer

Best Booth

1. Barney Farm

Glass Cup

1. AK - DNA Genetics
2. Mr Nice Custom - RooR
3. MOE - Green Devil

22nd High Times Cannabis Cup (2009) Winners And Categories

Cannabis Cup

1. Super Lemon Haze - Green House
2. Vanilla Kush - Barney's
3. Head Band Kush - The Green Place

Indica Cup

1. Starbud - Hortilab
2. OG18 - Reserva Privada
3. Kush D - AllStar Genetics

Sativa Cup

1. Super Lemon Haze - Green House
2. The Purps - BC Bud Depot

Neder Hash

1. Royal Jelly - Barney's
2. Greenhouse Ice - Green House
3. Grey Crystal - Grey Area

Import Hash

1. Rif Cream - Greenhouse
2. Triple Zero - Barney's
3. Azilla - Amnesia

Product Cup

1. Vapor Swing - Original Design by HMK
2. credibowl i420 - Incredibowl Industries
3. Strain Hunters DVD - Green House

Best Booth

1. Greenhouse Seed co
2. Barney Farm
3. Big Buddha Seeds

Glass Cup

1. RooR Excalibur
2. shattered dreams
3. Incredibowl i420 - Incredibowl Industries

23rd High Times Cannabis Cup (2010) Winners And Categories

Cannabis Cup

1. Tangerine Dream – Barney’s Coffeeshop
2. Super Lemon Haze – Greenhouse United
3. L.A. Cheese - The Green Place

Indica Cup

1. Kosher Kush – Reserva Privada
2. Cold Creek Kush - TH Seeds
3. White OG - Karma Genetics

Sativa Cup

1. Acapulco Gold – Amnesia Seeds
2. Chocolope – DNA Genetics
3. Sour Power - Hortilab

Neder Hash

1. Tangerine Nectar Ice-O-Lator - Greenhouse
2. Tangerine Nectar Iceolator- Barney’s
3. Grey Area Crystal - Grey Area

Import Hash

1. Caramella Cream- Barney’s Coffeeshop
2. Rif Cream – Greenhouse United
3. Twizla – The Green Place

Product Cup

1. Barney’s Bud Scope – Barney’s
2. Strainhunters India DVD - Greenhouse Seed Co.
3. NO2 Vaporizer- Vapir

Best Booth

1. Barney Farm
2. Greenhouse Seed Co.
3. Attitude Seed Bank

Glass Cup

1. Ghost - RooR
2. The Klingon – The Cali Connection
3. Dragon Bong – Dragon Bong & Earth Spirit

Freedom Fighter of the Year

24th High Times Cannabis Cup (2011) Winners And Categories

Cannabis Cup

1. Liberty Haze – Barney’s Coffeeshop
2. Hawaiian Snow – Greenhouse United
3. Buddha Tahoe - The Green Place

Indica Cup

1. Kosher Kush - Reserva Privada
2. Star Bud - Hortilab
3. Tahoe OG - Cali Connection

Sativa Cup

1. Moonshine Haze - Rare Dankness Seed co
2. Electric Lemon Haze - TH Seeds
3. Dominator - Karma Genetics

External links

• Official Website
• YouTube site
• Cannabis Cup Myspace page
• Hager's myspace page
• History and results of the annual Cannabis Cup and other Marijuana awards
• The story of the Cannabis Castle, ran by Neville Shoenmaker a.k.a. The King Of Cannabis
• Cannabis Cup Winners, Awards & History
• The 1st European Tour Operator for the HTCC Amsterdam
• Cannabis Cup Winning Strain Reviews