In the past few years, I’ve been to cannabis cups in three states and two countries, including as an official judge, videographer, and my favorite role, as random-super-stoned-guy-in-the-crowd.

Each of those cups was different because of the scene, the state/country, and most importantly, the legal circumstances that have to be followed in order to hold any kind of event.

As long as we’re running it, The Headies will always be a uniquely Vermont event, with our growers, our businesses providing services, and for better or worse, currently existing Vermont laws. The testing was done independently in Vermont by Northeast Processing. The entries were all produced and grown in Vermont, and all of the judging – except for our celebrity judge, cultivation columnist Danny Danko of High Times magazine – happened in Vermont.

So, we’ve gotten this thing started, and with a lot of awesome people involved – especially our amazing hosts, the Lang Family at Lang Farm – we are going to pull off this historic event.

It takes a lot of faith, gumption, and love for this community to take the plunge – and frankly, a willingness to pay us to take your weed! So, we’re going to celebrate the efforts, share information, bring the cannabis community and have a great time sharing Vermont’s finest people and plants.

Going forth, the plan is to get feedback from everyone involved, then announce the 2020 dates as soon as possible, so people can start planning for next year. Anyone who didn’t take the leap themselves this year will be able to sign up for next year’s event on Saturday.

We give serious props, respect, love, and appreciation for EVERYONE who’s been involved in this inaugural event – be it Good Stuff Grow throwing down hard cash for radio ads or the Vermonters of all persuasions coming out of the woods in Carhartts and muck boots to share their headiest bud.

A Few Qs And As…

WHEN IS THIS EVENT?

This Saturday, January 12, at The Barns at Lang Farm in Essex Junction. Doors open at 5, Gallery viewing from 5-8pm, awards at 8pm, music by The Whiskey Dicks from 8:30-10pm.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE HEADIES AWARDS PARTY?

The judged entries will be on display, along with their test results, throughout the event. We’ll be announcing the award winners and giving them nifty prizes.

We’ll raffle off the entries to attendees throughout the event — everyone gets a free raffle ticket. We’ll also have demos, cannabis trivia, giveaways, a complimentary dab bar, genetics swapping, and a special greenhouse lounge — yes it’s heated.

Food is provided by the Pingala Cafe Broccoli Bar, drinks by the Barns at Lang Farm. The whole shebang is presented by Good Stuff Grow, and sponsored by Northeast Processing, Cannatrol, The Cannaster Supply Company, Cannaplanners, and Emeraldrose Grows.

IT SAYS PRIVATE PARTY, SO, CAN I COME?

Everyone who buys a ticket and is over the age of 21 is allowed to come to this event. It’s a private party because it’s on private property. Because this is a private event on private property, private consumption is allowed.

UH, AM I LIKE, GOING TO BE ABLE TO SMOKE/VAPE/DAB/EAT CANNABIS AT THIS EVENT?

How many pots have you smoken? It’s the cannabis cup awards!

SOOO, SHOULD I BRING MY OWN?

Sure thing, we always say, “don’t hide it, divide it!”

However, it’s not legal to sell it, so, we’ll have none of those shenanigans!

We are happily encouraging participants and judges to bring genetics to swap. Just stay within the legal limit.

WHAT KIND OF ENTRIES WILL BE ON DISPLAY?

Over 40 varieties of cannabis, from four distinct categories: Sativa-dominant, Indica-dominant, CBD-dominant, and Vermont Heritage (grown outdoors, in soil, for at least three years). There’s also a generous selection of shatter, edibles, and topicals.

WHERE DO I GET TICKETS AND HOW MUCH ARE THEY?

Tickets $90 for the general public and $50 for Heady Vermont members. Members can check their latest Member Stash or the Members Only Facebook page for the discount code. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets.

WHAT ELSE?

If you’d like to stay nearby, there are discounted rooms available nearby at the Essex Resort & Spa, which also has a free shuttle for guests to/from Lang Farms.

They’re offering a special rate of $139/night (plus a discounted resort fee) and $25 off any Spa services.Book a room on line or by calling 800-727-4295 and asking for the Heady Vermont discount.

See you at The Headies!