The judging for the 2024 Illinois Best in Grass (BiG) competition, hosted by Jam Productions, will take place Oct 29 at Park West in Chicago. This is an opportunity to showcase the best that cannabis brands have to offer to determine which are actually the best brands in the Midwest.
Founded by COO Marc Kazinec, this awards ceremony was created based on his 12 years of experience in cannabis competitions and his Rolodex of retailers and cultivators. Their purpose is to find the best-licensed products in the Midwest in a judging process that is brought straight to the judges.
Best in Grass Process to Ceremony
Earlier this summer, cultivators submitted their products and BiG created judging kits, which began being sold at hand-selected dispensaries on Aug 10. For the next four to six weeks, regular consumers were able to test these products and decide for themselves which were the best based on their own criteria. Kits were priced at around $125.
The judging deadline is Oct 13. The ceremony on Oct 29 will be a live award ceremony where cocktail-attired attendees will put a spotlight on those brands deemed best in show. Products will be judged based on taste, visual appeal, effects, and aroma.
Categories include indica/sativa, infused, or hybrid flower, prerolls, concentrates, pens and cartridges, gummies, and syrups or beverages.
Not only is this an opportunity to support local businesses and grows, but it is also a chance for brands to get their products out to everyday consumers and receive feedback for improvement.
Traveling around the country, Best in Grass has moved from state to state since the middle of August collecting feedback and preparing for the awards ceremony.
Michigan Cannabis Community’s Rapid Growth
Kazinec, who was previously the Vice President of Events and Competitions at High Times, has more recently launched BiG’s inaugural event in Michigan with the hopes of supporting the economy but also nourishing the growing cannabis community in that area.
The cannabis industry in Michigan has been rapidly growing in the past few years. Last year alone, consumers spent $3.06 billion on both recreational and medicinal marijuana. This year, projections are even higher with an estimate of $3.5 billion from sales. This far exceeds any other state’s cannabis industry sales except California.
Kanzinec spent four years getting to know Michigan’s cannabis community and for him, it stood out more than any of the other legalized states. Their loyal, passionate customers have had no issue with participation and the rich and diverse amount of homegrown products makes it the perfect platform for Best in Grass. Their award ceremony took place June 18 at the Royal Oak Music Theater in Detriot.
The other purpose of this event is to educate people on the benefits of cannabis, which many times gets compared to alcohol in terms of its effects on the mind and body. Viewing cannabis as a medicine rather than something illicit is what legalizing it has all been about. Whether using it medicinally or recreationally, Best in Grass is dedicated to ensuring each product is properly tested before being allowed to reach consumers.
It’s important to support local businesses to keep a community rich and thriving and to cultivate the cannabis community with support and enthusiasm. Ceremonies like BiG are not only a fun and creative way to feature the best products, but allow you, the consumer, to take the reigns and decide what product meets your individual needs.
