Cannabis Award Categories explained

Cannabis Award & Growers Cup Category Explainer

Cannabis competitions are more than just events – they’re celebrations of the artistry, innovation, and passion within the cannabis community. From the cultivators to the extractors, each award category highlights a unique facet of cannabis culture and industry. Understanding these categories not only enhances the experience for spectators but also allows them to appreciate the complexity and craftsmanship behind each entry. Taking a closer look, we dove into some of the most commonly recurring categories in Cannabis Awards and Grower’s Cups around the world, shedding light on the diverse aspects that make these competitions so exciting and meaningful.

Cannabis Flowers

In the world of cannabis cultivation, two primary subspecies reign supreme: Indica and Sativa.
Sativa strains of cannabis are thought to have originated in equatorial regions, while Indica strains are believed to have originated in the Hindu Kush mountain range of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Indica plants typically boast shorter stature, broader leaves, and dense foliage. Sativa, on the other hand, presents taller plants with elongated branches and more narrow leaves. These botanical differences underscore the diverse genetic adaptations of cannabis to various climates and regions.

Beyond their horticultural distinctions, Indica, and Indica-dominant cannabis strains are generally known for inducing relaxation, while Sativa and Sativa-dominant varieties are celebrated for their energizing, mood-enhancing effects.

Indica Flower: Indica cannabis strains, renowned for inducing relaxation and sedation, are favored options for evening or nighttime use. Their dense flower clusters, or buds, produce a soothing body high. Indica plants exhibit shorter, bushier growth patterns and flower quicker than Sativa varieties.

Sativa Flower: In contrast, sativa cannabis strains elicit a more cerebral, euphoric high, and are prized for their uplifting and energizing effects, making them ideal for daytime use. These strains foster creativity, focus, and productivity. Sativa strains usually have more elongated buds and taller, slender growth patterns. They generally take longer to flower than their Indica counterparts.

Hybrid Flower: Hybrid cannabis strains are created by crossbreeding Indica and Sativa plants, resulting in a blend of characteristics from both types. These strains may exhibit a wide range of effects, flavors, and aromas, depending on the specific genetics involved. Hybrids are often cultivated to achieve desired combinations of potency, growth characteristics, and therapeutic properties.

Autoflowering (Ruderalis Flower): Ruderalis cannabis is a lesser-known subspecies of cannabis that originates from regions with harsh climates, such as the Russian tundra.

Ruderalis plants are characterized by their small size, short stature, and resilience to environmental stressors. While Ruderalis plants have low levels of THC and CBD, they are valued for their ability to automatically flower based on age rather than light cycles. This trait has been bred into autoflowering cannabis varieties, which are hybrids that combine the autoflowering trait with the desirable characteristics of Indica or Sativa strains. Autoflowering varieties are prized for their quick growth cycles and ease of cultivation, making them popular choices for outdoor and novice growers.

Cannabis Resin and Concentrates

Resin typically refers to the sticky, often amber-colored, powdery substance that contains cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in cannabis. It can be extracted from the plant material using various methods.

Hashish

The traditional understanding of hashish, or hash, refers to a pressed form of cannabis resin that has been used for centuries across various cultures for its psychoactive effects. It is made by separating the trichomes, or resin glands, from cannabis plant material using methods like hand-rubbing or sieving. The collected resin is then pressed, either by hand or with a device, into blocks or balls. These blocks are then cured, resulting in hash with varying potency and characteristics.

Hashish can vary in color, texture, and potency depending on factors such as the strain of cannabis used, the extraction method, and the processing techniques employed. The following methods encompass a variety of techniques used for extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material, each with its own distinct advantages and characteristics.

Traditional Extraction Methods

Traditional Sieve Extraction (Dry Sift Hash): Dried cannabis flower or trim is gently tumbled or shaken on series of screens with varying mesh sizes. The friction causes the resinous trichomes to fall through the screens, resulting in dry sift hash.

Hand-Rubbing (Charas): This traditional method involves gently rubbing fresh cannabis flowers between the palms of the hands to extract resinous trichomes. The resin is then collected and rolled into balls or sticks.

Modern Extraction Methods

Modern extraction methods use advanced technology and rediscovered natural processes to make for cleaner, safer, and more efficient production, creating higher-purity concentrates. Modern hash making methods offer greater control over the extraction process, allowing producers to achieve various consistencies and qualities by adjusting factors such as temperature, pressure, extraction time, and the use of additives or post-processing techniques.

Solventless Extraction

Rosin Pressing: This solventless (i.e. without use of solvents) extraction method involves applying heat and pressure to cannabis plant material to extract cannabinoids and terpenes. The resulting extract, known as rosin, is a sticky, golden substance.

Live Rosin: Live rosin is a solventless cannabis concentrate made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from fresh-frozen cannabis using heat and pressure. It is considered a cleaner, more natural concentrate compared to others, as no chemical solvents are used in the process.

Water and Ice Extraction (Bubble Hash): This method uses ice-cold water to freeze the trichomes on cannabis plant material, followed by agitation to break them off. The mixture is then filtered to separate the resinous trichomes, resulting in a substance that is used to make Bubble Hash.

Solvent-Based Extraction

Butane Hash Oil (BHO) Extraction: BHO extraction involves using butane as a solvent to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material. The solvent is then purged, leaving behind a concentrated oil known as butane hash oil.

Live Resin: Live resin is a type of BHO concentrate made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from fresh-frozen cannabis plants, similar to live rosin. The notable difference is that live resin uses a chemical solvent to extract the desirable oils from the fresh-frozen cannabis material.

CO2 Extraction: In this method, carbon dioxide is used as a solvent to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material under high pressure and low temperatures. The resulting extract is typically high in purity and potency.

Ethanol Extraction: Ethanol extraction involves soaking cannabis plant material in ethanol to dissolve cannabinoids and terpenes. The ethanol is then evaporated, leaving behind a concentrated extract.

Hydrocarbon Extraction: Similar to BHO extraction, hydrocarbon extraction uses hydrocarbon solvents such as propane or hexane to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE): This method uses supercritical CO2 as a solvent to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material. Carbon dioxide reaches a supercritical state at 1071 psi and 31.1°C. When a molecule is in a supercritical state, it has properties of both liquid and gas.

Extracted Concentrates

As discussed in the section above, traditional hashish making involves collecting resin glands (trichomes), from cannabis plants. Modern hash making methods offer greater control over the extraction process. The types of products made this way are known under an array of different names.

Rosin is the sticky, golden substance described earlier in this article. It is made by applying heat and pressure to cannabis plant material and squeezing out the liquefied resin.

Wax is a type of extract concentrate that is highly potent and typically has a soft, wax-like consistency. The process of making wax cannabis involves using solvents like butane or CO2. It ranges in texture from creamy to crumbly and can vary in color from light yellow to dark amber.

Honeycomb is a type of wax hat has a characteristic texture resembling honeycomb or sponge toffee. Tis concentrate is typically made using solvents. During the extraction process, the solvent is purged, leaving behind a concentrated oil that is then whipped or agitated to introduce air bubbles. This whipping process creates the honeycomb-like texture, with pockets of air trapped within the concentrate.

Budder: Budder is created through a similar process of extraction and whipping, but the final consistency is achieved through a different balance of heat, agitation, and purging. This results in a smoother, more uniform texture compared to honeycomb.

Crumble: Crumble is a type of concentrate that has a dry, crumbly texture, similar to honeycomb. It is often easy to handle and can be broken apart easily for dabbing.

Shatter: Shatter is a type of extract that is glass-like and transparent. After extraction, the solvent is purged from the concentrate to ensure safety and purity. The resulting concentrate is then cooled and allowed to harden, resulting in its characteristic glass-like appearance. It is typically amber or golden in color and breaks easily into pieces, hence the name “shatter.”

Dabs: Dabbing involves vaporizing a small amount of the concentrate using a specialized dab rig or vaporizer. The concentrates used in this methods are referred to as “dabs,”.

Consumer Products

Cannabis flowers, hashish and other extracts are commonly consumed through smoking, vaping, or dabbing.

Prerolls, or pre-rolled joints, are a ready-to-smoke cannabis cigarettes that have been rolled and filled with ground cannabis flower.

Vaporizers are devices used to heat cannabis flower or concentrates to a temperature that vaporizes the active compounds without burning the plant material. This process creates vapor that can be inhaled for its desired effects. Vaporizers come in various forms, including desktop units, portable handheld devices, and vape pens.

Vape pens, specifically, is a type of portable vaporizer that is designed to be compact and discreet. It typically consists of a battery, a heating element (atomizer), and a cartridge or chamber for holding the cannabis concentrate or oil. When the user activates the device (often by pressing a button or inhaling), the battery heats up the heating element, which then vaporizes the cannabis oil or concentrate in the cartridge. The vapor is then inhaled through the mouthpiece.

Cartridges, commonly referred to as a vape cartridge, is a small, pre-filled container that holds concentrated cannabis oil or extract. These cartridges are designed to be used with a vape pen or vaporizer device. The oil inside the cartridge contains cannabinoids (such as THC or CBD), terpenes, and other compounds extracted from cannabis plants.

Dag rigs are a type of water pipe used to vaporize concentrates. They consists of a nail (typically made of glass, quartz, or titanium), that is heated with a torch, a dab tool for handling concentrates, and a mouthpiece for inhaling vapor.

Cannabis Products

Besides smoking or vaping, cannabis is consumed in a variety of other ways, including edibles, tinctures, topicals, each offering different experiences and benefits

Edibles are any food or drink products that have been infused with cannabis extracts or concentrates, typically containing THC, CBD, or both. Common examples include cannabis-infused brownies, gummies, beverages, and more. When consumed, the cannabinoids are metabolized by the liver, which can result in a delayed onset of effects (typically 30 minutes to 2 hours), but the effects can last longer compared to smoking or vaping.

Topicals are a cannabis-infused products, such as a cream, lotion, or balm, made for application directly to the skin. These products are used for localized relief, such as for muscle pain, inflammation, or skin conditions. Topicals generally do not cause a “high” since the cannabinoids do not enter the bloodstream but rather interact with the skin’s receptors.

Tinctures are cannabis extracts that has been dissolved in alcohol or another solvent, creating a concentrated liquid form. Tinctures are typically taken sublingually (under the tongue) for faster absorption into the bloodstream, though they can also be added to food or drinks. Tinctures provide a precise dosage and offer a discreet way to consume cannabis, with effects usually kicking in within 15 to 45 minutes.

Cannabis Holidays

When browsing CannabisCupWinners.com, you’ll likely come across various terms, phrases, and names that may need a bit of clarification. Some of these refer to significant dates and celebrations on the cannabis calendar.

420 (Cannabis Day) April 20th, or 4/20, is recognized as the most significant day in cannabis culture. Also known as Cannabis Day, serves as a symbolic holiday celebrated by enthusiasts worldwide.

The origins of 420 are debated, but may have been in 1971 in California, where a group of San Rafael High School teens, known as the Waldos, routinely gathered after school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke weed. Over time, 420 evolved into a day for cannabis advocacy, community gatherings, and international celebrations.

710 (International Oil Day), referring to July 10th, or 7/10, marks the connotative holiday celebrating marijuana concentrates. Reversed, 710 spells “OIL,” symbolizing dabs and other concentrates.

The 710 holiday gained traction in chat rooms and social media posts after it was coined by the Salt Lake City rapper, Task Rok in 2011. He, along with DJ Linus Stubbs, released an album titled “The Movement”, which prominently featured songs celebrating the merits of butane hash oil and concentrates. The album’s tracks, such as “7:10” and “Boil That Oil,” shifted the focus from the iconic 420 (associated with cannabis flower) to the world of oils and concentrates.

Cannabis Week Every year, in mid-March, Barcelona transforms into the epicenter of cannabis culture, hosting a variety of major celebrations, private gatherings and important cannabis competition events across the city. Cannabis Week in Barcelona (formerly known as Spannabis Week) is an essential part of the cannabis calendar in Europe.

Sesh “Sesh” is a slang term short for “session.” It typically refers to a social gathering or small-scale competition event where people come together, often in a private location, to compare and consume cannabis products, with a focus on cannabis concentrates.