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Cannabis Cup: 40 Years of History and the Most Award-Winning Strains
Reading time ⌛ 6 min
The Cannabis Cup is the most iconic, recognized, and anticipated global event on the cannabis scene. Supported by leading figures on the international scene who have never hidden their love for the plant, such as Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, the group Cypress Hill, and Method Man & Redman, the main actors of the famous How High, the event has been the essential meeting place for producers, breeders, and enthusiasts for almost 40 years.
Between the approaching 2026 edition of High Times and a fascinating historical list of winners, discover everything you need to know about this legendary event that makes stars and launches new trends in hash and flowers.
The High Times Cannabis Cup: 40 Years of History of a Legendary Institution
Origin and Functioning
The origins of the Cannabis Cup date back to 1988. That year, the leading American magazine in cannabis and underground culture , High Times, decided to organize the first World Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam .
The goal is to promote cannabis culture and facilitate meetings between breeders, producers, and enthusiasts. The event is organized around competitions such as:
- The best Indica flower
- The best Sativa flower
- The best greenhouse flower
- The best indoor flower
- The best outdoor flower
- The best hash
- The best concentrate
The success was immediate. The Cannabis Cup quickly became THE unmissable annual event, and the award-winning products, crowned with glory, acquired lasting global recognition.
The History of the High Times Cannabis Cup
1990s: Dutch Domination
The 1990s were dominated by the absolute supremacy of Dutch seed banks, notably Sensi Seeds and Green House Seed Company. It is thanks to them and the Cannabis Cup that legendary varieties such as White Widow, Jack Herer, Northern Lights, and Super Silver Haze achieved the success they still enjoy today.
2000s: The Haze Explosion
Created in California in the 1960s from several landrace strains, Haze varieties are known for being difficult to cultivate but exceptionally flavorful and, above all, for their cerebral and energizing effects that appeal to a wide audience. Introduced to the Netherlands in the 1980s, they were patiently refined until they became competition stars in the 2000s . Amnesia Haze, Super Lemon Haze , and Lemon Haze became the go-to strains in Amsterdam's coffee shops.
2010s: The California Revolution
Already known for its expertise and innovation in the field, California made a spectacular entrance onto the Cannabis Cup scene in the 2010s as gradual decriminalization allowed producers to develop freely. OG Kush and its entire lineage, including the Cookies and Diesel families, redefined standards by introducing previously unknown sweet and vanilla flavors.
The 2020s: The Era of CBD and Innovation
With the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis in several European countries and the near-universal legalization of CBD, the cannabis scene is undergoing a new revolution. Cultivation, extraction, and terpene preservation techniques are evolving, giving rise to WPFF, Piatella, Static Sift, and numerous other innovations.
At the same time, competitions specifically dedicated to cannabidiol are emerging, such as the Spannabis CBD Cup , and the Cannabis Cup is adding competitions for the best CBD products.
Post-COVID: Significant Organizational Changes
As everyone knows, 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic have profoundly disrupted the way public events are held. The High Times Cannabis Cup was no exception. While the event had traditionally taken place in Amsterdam before a panel of around thirty judges, the format shifted to a “People’s Choice ” model. More than 200 people who purchased the judging kit were able to sample the presented strains from the comfort of their own homes and vote through a dedicated web portal.
Following the pandemic, the High Times repatriated to the US , taking advantage of the relaxation of cannabis laws while retaining the People's Choice Award jury system established during the pandemic.
The Most Award-Winning Cannabis Cup Varieties
Jack Herer – 14 Wins (ALL-TIME RECORD)
Holder of the absolute and unsurpassed record of 14 Cannabis Cups won between the 1990s and 2010s, Jack Herer, named in honor of the famous pro-cannabis activist Jack Herer , by Sensi Seeds in the Netherlands, has established itself thanks to its exceptional genetic stability and balanced profile which appeals to a wide range of consumers.
Born from a cross between Haze, Northern Lights and Skunk #1, it seduces with its balance, between freshness and depth, and its flavors shared between notes of pine and spice with a floral touch.
Amnesia Haze – 8 Wins
An absolute icon of cannabis culture, Amnesia Haze is renowned for its lemony and robust profile , with earthy notes that make it instantly recognizable. But also, and above all, for its stimulating, creative, and powerful cerebral effect that captivated an entire generation and continues to have many devotees today.
White Widow – 7 Wins
Created by Green House Seeds in the mid-90s, White Widow revolutionized the world of cannabis with its characteristic frosty appearance that gave it its name, as well as its perfect balance in terms of taste and effect.
Derived from a cross between a Brazilian Sativa and a South Indian Indica, it offers an excellent balance of fruity, floral and sweet flavors , with slightly spicy touches and sweet and sour notes of pine forests.
Super Silver Haze – 6 Victories
Super Silver Haze is the emblem of the late 90s . It has won six awards, including three consecutive victories in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Its genetics, derived from champion strains like Skunk, Northern Lights, and Haze, make it appealing with its energizing properties and its typical Haze aroma, both citrusy and peppery. Super Silver Haze is the perfect choice for lovers of old-school flavors, reminiscent of the 90s and 2000s.
OG Kush – 5 Victories
OG Kush is the game changer in the cannabis world. Its explosive arrival in the 2010s made such an impression that it became the basis for a new branch of slightly sweet-tasting varieties: Girl Scout Cookies. Gelato Wedding Cake, and hundreds of others are directly descended from this genetic line.
Its aromatic blend of diesel, lemon and pine with a sweet touch is so recognizable that “the Kush aroma” has become an adjective in itself to describe this taste.
The 2025 Champions of the Year List
The 2025 edition marked a historic turning point by taking place for the first time in the Big Apple: New York . Four years after the legalization of cannabis in the state, the competition returned to its roots in the city where the newspaper was founded in 1974 .
Maintaining the People's Choice election format, the results were revealed in February 2026:
- Best sativa flower: White Widow from Doobie Labs
- Best indica flower: Blue Zushi from Golden Garden
- Best hybrid flower: Permanent Marker from The Kaleidoscope Collective
- Best pre-rolled joints: Obama Runtz from RUNTZ
- Best pre-rolled infused joints: Strawberry Shortcake Remix from RYTHM
- Best vapes without distillate: Hash Burger by MFNY
- Best vapes using distillate: Gas Leak by Heady Tree
- Best edible product: Empire State Bar from Incredibles
The Cannabis Cup 2026 in New Jersey
The next Cannabis Cup has been announced for 2026 in the Garden State, New Jersey . Riding the wave of success from the post-COVID editions, the famous competition continues its state-by-state tour.
New Jersey, which legalized recreational cannabis at the same time as New York in 2021, thus becomes the second East Coast state to host the competition in its new People's Choice format.
At the moment, little information has been revealed about the event, but pre-registration forms are already online , and we will keep you informed of the event's progress.
