The Los Angeles Medical Cannabis Cup hotfooted it down the freeway to San Bernardino.
 
The HIGH TIMES crew arrived in Los Angeles 10 days prior to the opening day of the 2013 LA Medical Cannabis Cup. At the time, the LAPD seemed otherwise engaged. Christopher Dorner, a disgruntled ex-cop, was picking off police personnel and the LAPD was engaged in the biggest manhunt in the city’s history to bring him in.
 
The massive mobilization had resulted in two separate incidents of cops opening fire on suspects they believed to be Dorner. Two women who were delivering papers miraculously survived after cops fired over 100 shots into their vehicle, which matched a description of Dorner’s; another man narrowly escaped when cops similarly opened up on him. Certainly, the City of the Angels had bigger fish to fry.
 
Think again. Although HIGH TIMES had secured its permit for the event and navigated all of the proper legal channels, the LAPD was loath to allow the event to open its doors. Apparently, when the permit was granted for last year’s event held at LA Center Studios, police had not been “aware” that the “medication area” was designated for cannabis use. (Obviously, they hadn’t been aware when other pot-themed events at Center Studios had promoted the same feature.) Suddenly, the LAPD “discovered” that LA Center Studios was situated less than 1,000 feet from a school.
 
The LA Cup was homeless.
 
Organizers scurried to sign contracts with nearby Glendale Studios. But the LAPD was just as quick to notify the city of Glendale as to the nature of the event. An injunction was filed against HIGH TIMES.
 
Other venues were scouted, but the search was futile. Without the necessary permit, there could be no event. It was now an updated version of Escape From L.A. But just 48 hours before doors were set to open, HIGH TIMES signed contracts with the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.
 
Certainly, two separate announcements of venue changes within 10 days created confusion for ticket holders. Vendors were equally miffed at the inconvenience. But, as all of us know, working in the cannabis industry requires a constant glance over our shoulder. We’re outlaws, not entitled to the same legal protections that so-called “legitimate” enterprises enjoy. Our industry is in its infancy, still finding its way into the mainstream, and HIGH TIMES is subject to the same bureaucratic dishonesty and harassment that canna-businesses encounter on a daily basis.
 
Question marks hovered over the event as dawn broke. Had the pre-event chaos damaged the weekend irreparably? Would the cannabis community turn out in force?
 
Amazingly, the event proved to be a runaway success – the best attended Medical Cannabis Cup that HIGH TIMES has mounted yet. Temperatures climbed into the 80s for the weekend and skies were clear affording fabulous views of the surrounding mountain scenery.
 
Thousands toured the sweeping medication area, a veritable village of Southern California’s top cannabis product producers. Concentrates, again, were the primary draw with scores of booths offering high-grade oils and wax.
 
[image|http://hightimes.com/userdata/22/images/22_022513lacup_01.jpg]
 
Glass smokeware, especially rigs designed for “dabbing,” (concentrate-smoking) sold briskly, while those attendees who wished to make a personal statement regarding their preferences had an array of dab-themed apparel to choose from, adorned with messages like “Just Dab It!” or “Dabs ‘R Us.” However, vendors who offered prime buds to sample were hardly ignored. Dabs aren’t for everyone and hordes of us still prefer the comfort of a joint, which doesn’t require a blowtorch or a specially designed contraption for ingestion.
 
[image|http://hightimes.com/userdata/22/images/22_022513lacup_02.jpg]
 
Redman opened the Saturday night concert and, naturally, he was in high spirits, which only got higher. He appeared on the cover of HIGH TIMES 20 years ago and his popularity in the stoner world has only grown. Indeed, Redman’s energy exceeded the boundaries of the stage. During the final 10 minutes of his act, he leapt up on the barricade surrounding the stage and dove into the audience for an epic round of crowd surfing.
 
[image|http://hightimes.com/userdata/22/images/22_022513lacup_03.jpg]
 
The Game followed Redman. His time onstage included a number of auxiliary activities, in addition to his raps. He rolled dice, chugged a full bottle of Grey Goose (perhaps water?), dabbed, made friends with a middle-aged audience member whom he dubbed “Westlake Ray,” then invited the entire crowd over to Ray’s house.
 
[image|http://hightimes.com/userdata/22/images/22_022513lacup_04.jpg]
 
For his finale, Redman joined The Game onstage for “I Wanna Get Fucked Up,” with both rappers sharing a joint and puffing prodigiously (watch the video). Their high spirits induced Melissa Balin, a LA-based activist, to jump onstage and demonstrate her utter lack of dancing ability, leaving The Game and the audience in stitches.
 
[image|http://hightimes.com/userdata/22/images/22_022513lacup_05.jpg]
 
The weekend ended with the Sunday night awards ceremony, highlighted by the appearance of stoner legend Tommy Chong who was honored with the Dr. Lester Grinspoon Lifetime Achievement Award. Aside from the late Jack Herer, the granddaddy of the modern cannabis movement, no other individual has been as consistently outspoken about legalizing pot. Moreover, his entire life has been profoundly impacted by the plant. He became a comedy superstar when he and Richard “Cheech” Marin embraced pot in their legendary Cheech & Chong act. He spent a year in jail for manufacturing his own line of bongs and now, cannabis is at his side as he fights prostate cancer. He graciously thanked his fans, acknowledging his allegiance with the cannabis community while offering simple encouragement: “Cannabis can change the world – and we’re here to show it’s possible!”
 
[image|http://hightimes.com/userdata/22/images/22_022513lacup_07.jpg]
 
As for the awards, the Buds and Roses collective located in Studio City, visited the stage most frequently, taking top honors in the hash category and two second places for best hybrid and best sativa. They also took third in the edibles category.
 
[image|http://hightimes.com/userdata/22/images/22_022513lacup_06.jpg]
 
Reserva Privada, a subsidiary of DNA Genetics, won first place for Tanj in the sativa category. Alpha Medic grabbed the indica prize for Godfather OG and a very tasty rendition of Girl Scout Cookies won the Cup for best hybrid, courtesy of Life is Good of Victorville, CA. The best concentrate award went to Honey B OG Nectar by Green Coast Deliveries. (See all the 2013 LA Cup winners.)
 
[image|http://hightimes.com/userdata/22/images/22_022513lacup_08.jpg]
 
When the Cup ended, a sense of triumph – and relief – remained. The best efforts of the LAPD had been circumvented and the Southern California cannabis community had turned out in force to support the event.
 
Los Angeles may eventually soften its ridiculously antiquated stance on legal medical cannabis, but HIGH TIMES won’t be waiting. San Bernardino will likely be the new setting for the LA Medical Cannabis Cup. We’ve found a home in the high desert.
 
More 2013 LA Cup Coverage:
Strain Entry Video
Redman and The Game Video
Day One Photo Gallery
Day Two Photo Gallery
LA Cup Winners List
LA Cup Winners Gallery