It may be time to break out the green ribbons as the cannabis industry is officially represented at two major state fairs: the Oregon State Fair and the D.C. State Fair.
With their celebration of Americana, pie-baking contests and 4-H animals, these fairs have presented an opportunity for the pot industry to get in on the act and raise awareness about this popular plant.
Donald Morse, director of the Oregon Cannabis Business Council (OCBC) told KOIN TV that this has been a banner year for the pot industry, and they wanted to get the word out.
“We’re here to educate the general public as to what the industry is all about,” Morse said.
No actual pot plants were on display at the 150th annual Oregon State Fair, August 28-Sept 7th, but Morse would like to see that changed in the future and have pot viewed like any other crop.
“Being here at the state fair, what we would eventually like to see is judging of the plant,” he said.
And, Morse admits he is hankering for a ribbon.
“I think it’s time to put this out there and say, ‘hey, we deserve blue ribbons too,’” he continued.
In Washington D.C., where pot has been legal since February and residents can cultivate their own, growers can bring their buds in Mason jars to compete in the “Best Bud” competition.
“We wanted a way to highlight this new freedom, while also showing off the agricultural talents of the District’s people,” Anna Tauzin, a board member and outreach director for the D.C. State Fair, told the Washington Post.
Tauzin said there will be no sampling at the September 12th D.C. Fair, because smoking is still illegal in public spaces, but assured that the judges will be pot experts.
