Best in Grass holds first-ever Arizona awards; Ariez, Alien Labs and MPX dominate the night

The Best in Grass 2024 Arizona Awards ceremony, co-produced by Best in Grass and Marijuana Industry Trade Association Arizona, was one of the more unique events held at Corona Ranch and Rodeo Grounds.

New to the local and national cannabis communities, The Best in Grass Awards were founded around 2024 when former High Times competition executives and other cannabis industry veterans brought together their combined 12 years of experience running the world’s largest cannabis competitions to create a special standard and level of recognition for the best licensed cannabis products in each state.

Probably the most interesting aspect of the awards system was that everyday consumers became the judges instead of a panel of appointed connoisseurs, meaning the feedback Best in Grass and participating brands got was some of the most important feedback they could receive, and those who won proved themselves where it matters the most–with the customers who keep them going.

With kits rolling out last fall, judges had until mid-January to fully test and submit thoughtful reviews for each product in their kit, and once each review was submitted, they earned a ticket to the awards show in February and a discount on a future purchase at the dispensary where they purchased the kit. Knowing their audience, Best in Grass kept the kits affordable for the amount of product you got, and their review process was easy to navigate post-tasting session, split up into different categories for aroma, flavor, smokability, effects, and more, with pre-choosen descriptor buttons to easy tap and submit.

Almost 60 cannabis brands participated this year, leaving no corner untouched. From different types of edibles to infused pre-rolls and rosin vapes, almost every means of consumption was well-represented. We were thrilled to be able to judge the Infused Pre-Rolls kit for the competition, and the Non-Rosin Vapes after the award ceremony.

The ceremony itself was quite an experience, and while there was definitely some room to grow operations-wise, there is promise for an even better event next year. Guests were greeted with a red carpet walk and photo opportunity before enjoying time early in the night exploring vendor and brand tables. Various vendors and brands, including Juiced, Flav, Presidential and other brands up for awards, were giving away samples of their best products and new arrivals, building excitement for new products hitting the shelves soon.

As a way to give back to the people of Arizona, the evening also featured a local charity. The MASA Project of Arizona, an organization that provides Arizonans with free food, clothing, compassionate care and other disaster outreach support, had their own table in the center of the vendor area where attendees could learn more about their specific projects and sign up to become volunteers.

The awards part started way late, in true stoner fashion, but attendees were entertained by local DJs and enjoying their freebie hauls. Surprisingly (but also, not really), the event was a completely open-smoking environment, and by the end of the night, the awards room had turned into a giant hotbox. 

Through typical first-time event hurdles like tech mishaps, time delays and slight detail disorganization, Best in Grass pulled through to provide a fun event for the local cannabis community, highlighted some fantastic brands and introduced hundreds of people to new top-tier brands for their next visit to the dispensary.

Best In Grass Arizona 2024 Winners:

Edibles - Syrups & Beverages:

Third Place - High Octane Cannabis + Caffeine Beverage from Keef

Second Place - Chill Drops Beverage Enhancer from Life is Chill

First Place - Cranberry Apple Limited Edition Beverage from Tonic

Edibles - Gummies:

Third Place - Guava Passionfruit Live Resin Gummies from Sweet Talk

Second Place - Caramel Apple Alien Abduction Gummies from Minny Grown

First Place - Sour Green Apple CBG Fruit Chews from Smokiez

Edibles - Non-Gummes:

Third Place - Strawberry Crumb Cake Bites from Feel Sublime

Second Place - S’mores Milk Rosin Salted Caramels from DEFI Edibles

First Place - Blue Pomegranate Hard Candies from Pucks

Non-Infused Pre-Rolls:

Third Place - Motor Breath from Mohave Cannabis Co.

Second Place - ZA-Tiva from High Grade AZ

First Place - Gelato #33 from Essence

Infused Pre-Rolls:

Third Place - Durban Confidential x Terp Truck Diamond Roll from MPX

Second Place - Pink Lemonate from Jeeter

First Place - King Cavi OG Cavi Cone from Caviar Gold

Vapes - Non-Rosin:

Third Place - Dark Knight Live Resin AIO from MPX

Second Place - Game Changer Live Resin Cart from Jeeter

First Place - Sky OG Live Resin Diamond Vape from ROVE

Vapes - Rosin:

Third Place - GMO Live Rosin Cart from Aeriz

Second Place - Blue Dream x Red Velvet x White Chocolate LHR from Seaside

First Place - Animal Mints Live Has Rosin from Tropics

Concentrates - Solvent:

Third Place - Hawaiian Snowcone Applesauce from High Grade AZ

Second Place - Cherry Inferno Live Resin from MPX

First Place - Banana Punch Badder from Modern Flower

Concentrates - Non-Solvent:

Third Place - 8” Bagel Live Hash Rosin from Aeriz

Second Place - Garlic Cocktail Live Hash Rosin from Summus

First Place - Alienate Hash Rosin from Alien Labs

Flower - Sativa:

Third Place - Super Boof from Mohave Cannabis Co.

Second Place - Zpectrum from Alien Labs

First Place - Tropical Z from Connected

Flower - Indica:

Third Place - Dante’s Inferno from CULT

Second Place - Dark Web from Alien Labs

First Place - Permanent Marker from Connected

Flower - Hybrid:

Third Place - Drippin Ain’t Easy from Seaside

Second Place - Cherry Paloma from CULT

First Place - White Widow from Aeriz