The first Cannabis Cup event will be held on Phuket from this Saturday, where various strains of weed will compete to be judged the best. The event is being held at the Pamookkoo Hotel on Kata Beach, in the south of the island, and is being hosted by the Phuket Cannabis Association.
According to a Coconuts report, it will include a joint rolling race and an exhibition of Thailand’s “best buds”, along with panel discussions and other activities. In total, judges will be examining weed strains to identify the best in 4 categories: indoor hybrid, indoor sativa, indoor indica and greenhouse strains.
The judging panel will be made up of 8 “weed veterans” and cannabis advocates, including Rattapon “Guide” Sanrak, founder of the Highland group. The group provides information on marijuana and has long campaigned for it to be legalised.
Cannabis was ‘decriminalised’, without supporting or explanatory legislation, on June 9, 2022, by the public health minister Anutin Charvirakul when he delisted cannabis as a Category 5 illicit drug.
Other judges include Lex de Groot from Royal Queen Seeds and Aram “Uncle Dam” Limsakul, often referred to as the “father of medical marijuana” due to his years of advocacy work. He is also known for a strain of marijuana called KD Koh Tao, which he first grew on the island in Surat Thani.
In total, up to 50 weed farms are expected to take part in the event, with Poonwarit Wangpattarawanich from the Phuket Cannabis Association adding that Phuket currently has around 1,200 licenced dispensaries that may, or may not, be selling weed to customers for more than just medicinal use.
Music will be provided by the Srirajah Rockers, along with a number of DJs, and there will also be food and drinks vendors in attendance.
The aim of the inaugural Cannabis Cup is to set a precedent in terms of creating friendly competition within the industry, following last year’s decriminalisation.
Saturday’s proceedings kick off at 10.30am and run until 6.00pm, with tickets costing 650 baht if bought in advance, or 850 baht at the door.
SOURCE: Coconuts