California’s Best Cannabis Takes Center Stage: 2025 State Fair Medal Winners Announced
There’s something truly special about witnessing cannabis earn its place alongside California’s finest wines, artisan cheeses, and award-winning olive oils.
The 2025 California State Fair Cannabis Awards just announced (opens in new tab) its medal winners, and the results prove that California cannabis has moved even further from the margins to the mainstream.
Judges awarded 150 medals across nine categories and 50 newly expanded subcategories, including indoor, outdoor, and mixed light flower, plus exciting new additions like blunts, hash, and chocolates. With over 600 entries, this year’s competition reinforced its status as the world’s largest and most prestigious sanctioned cannabis competition.
A Historic Moment for Cannabis Excellence
For 171 years, the California State Fair has celebrated the Golden State’s agricultural bounty. Since cannabis joined this prestigious lineup in 2022, it has proven time and again that it deserves recognition alongside the state’s most celebrated crops.
“For an emerging industry that feels like the Wild West most days, these awards are a bright spot to celebrate California’s cannabis heritage and history,” explained Lauren Carpenter, CEO of leading California cannabis retailer embarc and co-producer of the state fair’s cannabis experience. “When you see a small legacy farmer or a family-owned brand standing next to their Golden Bear trophy, knowing their product will be sold alongside the state’s best wine and cheese, that’s the moment you realize we’ve actually done it.”
Celebrating California’s Cannabis Legacy
This year’s winners represent the incredible diversity of California’s cannabis landscape. From multi-generational organic farms like Emerald Spirit Botanicals in Willits to innovative cultivators like Sonoma Hills Farm, the medalists showcase the craft, care, and agricultural expertise that make California’s cannabis world-renowned.
“Being recognized at the State Fair feels like coming full circle. We’re cultivating OCal-certified cannabis with the same care and craft that Sonoma has brought to world-class wine for generations,” explained Joyce Cenali from Sonoma Hills Farm.
The rigorous evaluation process ensures only the finest products receive recognition. All flower submissions undergo scientific testing through SC Labs, while distinguished judges use Budist’s standardized 100-point evaluation scale, which is the same level of scrutiny applied to any world-class agricultural competition.
More Than Just Awards: A Vision for Cannabis Normalization
What makes the California State Fair Cannabis Awards special? It’s all about what they represent: moving the plant from stigmatized to celebrated.
These awards are part of a larger mission to normalize cannabis by showcasing it in mainstream, family-friendly environments where it belongs alongside other celebrated California agricultural products.
As co-producer of the cannabis experience, we have helped create an immersive, educational environment where fairgoers can learn about cannabis history, explore award-winning products, and even experience them responsibly in designated consumption areas.
Next Up? Golden Bear Awards on July 12
Gold medalists will now compete for nine coveted Golden Bear trophies, quickly becoming the cannabis industry’s equivalent of a Michelin Guide rating. The winners will be announced at an Oscars-style awards ceremony on July 12, 2025, celebrating cannabis industry leaders who are shaping the future of this vital agricultural sector.
Ready to experience California’s finest cannabis for yourself? Visit your local embarc dispensary today. We can’t wait to serve you and help you discover why California cannabis continues to set the gold standard.
Find your nearest embarc location at goembarc.com/locations (opens in new tab)