Best in Grass New York Competition in Full Swing

Best in Grass, a national cannabis judging competition and product feedback platform, is currently hosting its first statewide competition in New York. 2,600 New Yorkers have the chance to discover and judge a variety of locally grown cannabis products and crown the best in the state.

Judging Kits are loaded with New York cannabis products across 12 different recreational categories, including best indica, sativa, and hybrid flower; edible categories such as gummies and non-gummies, concentrates, vape carts, beverages, and more. In total, the competition features NY-born brands, over a hundred product entries, and hundreds of thousands of grams of cannabis, including flower, concentrates, vape pens, and edibles. Kits are available for purchase at only 30+ select retailers across the state now. Become a Judge here.

Judging Kits are being sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Pricing ranges between $35-$75 before taxes, depending on the category. Judges will have until August 2 to submit detailed reports on the aesthetics, aroma, taste, and effects of each product. Winners will be announced on August 20th during a live, in-person award celebration in NYC – details to be announced. Upon completion of the judging process, each customer will be offered free tickets to the awards show and a credit off their next purchase at the dispensary where they purchased their Judge Kit, paid for by Best in Grass.

Best in Grass New York is partnered with General Hydroponics, ConBud, Danny Danko, Sean Black, Stu Zakim, The Other Magazine, and Stupid Dope Media, and more to create the most trusted connection between cannabis products and real consumer experience through transparent, consumer-led trials that turn feedback into proof and insights the market can rely on.

Best in Grass is a new, 2-year-old player in the national cannabis space and has selected New York for one of its premier competition States. The venture comes from previous executives of High Times, a global name in cannabis known for its magazine and international Cannabis Cup events. Co-founders Mark Kazinec and Joey Posney launched Best in Grass to take all the best parts of popular cannabis judging competitions and elevate them to the next level — for both the participating brands and the “judges”, who are everyday cannabis consumers.

As more states have adopted cannabis-friendly policies, cannabis judging competitions have risen in popularity. But the approach Best in Grass is taking is truly unique, with a goal to support New York’s booming cannabis industry while appealing to a much broader base of consumers — the “canna curious” who might be interested in a sampling model that will help them identify which product type is the best fit for their lifestyle and needs. Best in Grass is also taking a fresh approach to the judging feedback process within the competition. The data intake from competition judges will be given to participating brands which could have a direct impact on product improvements and innovation. Mark Kazinec, the co-founder of Best in Grass, made the announcement.

“I’ve spent the past four years getting to know the vibrant New York cannabis community, which is a true standout among all of the cannabis-friendly states I’ve visited coast to coast. When it came time to select our premier markets for Best in Grass, we knew the Empire state was a perfect location,” Kazinec said. “As one of the most exciting cannabis markets in the US, New York consumers deserve to experience the best that NY has to offer. We’re looking forward to tapping into the NY audience and connecting with the cannabis community through Best in Grass.”

For contest rules or questions, visit bestingrass.io.

Key Dates for Best in Grass New York 2026: