NETA To Serve As In-Take Partner For MA Cannabis Cup

BROOKLINE, MA — NETA dispensary's Franklin Production Facility will serve as the official "in-take" partner for the first-ever High Times Cannabis Cup Massachusetts, a people's choice competition set to begin on August 21.

The High Times Cannabis Cup, which is the world leading cannabis competition, aims to identify and award the best cannabis products in the state across 11 categories, including Sativa and Indica flowers, prerolls, concentrates, edibles, and topicals. The products will come from 45 different brands and will be sold at 16 retailers, including NETA's Brookline and Northampton stores, and consumers from communities across the state will be in charge of choosing their favorites.

"We've had Massachusetts on our radar for a long time," said Mark Kaz, Director of Competitions at High Times. "I was guided to a bunch of different companies to gauge their interest and we got wild enthusiasm from everyone top to bottom."

As in-take partner for the event, NETA helped High Times get final approval with the Cannabis Control Commission and will provide storage space, Judge Kit preparation, and transportation for the product.

"After talking to about 15 different companies, no one had the space that NETA had," said Kaz. "They are also a well-oiled machine when it comes to intaking a large amount of product in a short amount of time."

Intake for MA Cannabis Cup product submissions ended on Wednesday, said Kaz. Event organizers will now spend four to five days building approximately 2,000 kits to take to each of the participating retailers. The kits will each include several different brands and are available for anyone who is legally able to purchase cannabis in Massachusetts on a first come, first serve basis.

Judges are asked to assess each product by looking at aroma, taste, visual aesthetics, stone/high, burnability/flush, and any other important details they notice. Each person who purchases a Judge Kit will be given an access code for that specific kit that allows them to provide feedback from home.

"These vendors are putting their heart and soul into creating the best products, so we want the judges to do the same thing in their comments," said Kaz. "We encourage people to be very detailed and very thorough in their reports."

MA Cannabis Cup judging begins on August 21 an runs through October 17. Winners will be announced on October 24 in time for the holiday shopping season.

For more information and updates on the premiere High Times Cannabis Cup Massachusetts, click here.