California State Fair Awards 2025 Golden Bear Honors to the State’s Top Cannabis Cultivators and Manufacturers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a milestone moment for the cannabis industry, the California State Fair, in partnership with leading cannabis retailer embarc, has officially announced the winners of the 2025 Golden Bear Cannabis Awards, recognizing the most exceptional cannabis flower, concentrates, edibles, and wellness products across the state.
With over 600 entries submitted for evaluation, this year’s competition marked one of the largest celebrations of cannabis cultivation and innovation since the plant’s legalization in California. The awards further reinforce cannabis as a legitimate agricultural product in one of the world’s largest economies and place cannabis cultivators alongside legacy industries like wine, cheese, and produce in the Golden State’s celebrated agricultural landscape.
Historic Cannabis Recognition Aligns with California’s Agricultural Legacy
The California State Fair has long served as a platform to showcase the best in state agriculture, and cannabis has now firmly cemented its place in that tradition. This year’s cannabis pavilion and award ceremony, facilitated by Fair Play Ventures and embarc, brought cannabis further into the mainstream, celebrating it as both a commercial product and a cultural touchstone.
The 2025 Golden Bear competition was judged through a combination of scientific analysis by SC Labs and sommelier-level human evaluation by Budist. Each of the more than 600 entries was evaluated on aroma, appearance, flavor, and user experience, bringing both objective and subjective measures to the process.
California Cannabis Excellence: The Nine Best Products of 2025 Crowned by the Golden Bear Awards
This year’s top accolades were awarded to a diverse and inspiring group of cultivators, processors, and brands who showcased not only quality but also innovation and sustainability. Below is the full list of 2025 Golden Bear Award winners:
Best Sungrown Flower:
Pink Boost Goddess (Ocimene) by Emerald Spirit Botanicals & Farm Cut Cooperative, Mendocino County
Best Indoor Flower:
Blueberry Caviar (Limonene) by Ridgeline Farms, Humboldt County
Best Mixed Light Flower:
Super Silver Haze (Ocimene) by California Artisanal Medicine, Sacramento
Best Concentrates:
Sour Z Live Rosin Dual Consistency by Ay Papi (La Habra), in collaboration with Mattole Valley Sungrown (Humboldt), Canyon Creek Family Farms (Trinity), and My Green Network (Santa Ana)
Best Cartridges:
Live Resin Disposable Pens Agua Fresca by Casa Flor Family (Sacramento) & Holy Water (Alameda)
Best Pre-Rolls:
Pink Jesus Hash Holes by Sonoma Hills Farm, Petaluma
Best Edibles:
Whitethorn Rose Single-Origin Live Rosin Infused Gummies by Ay Papi and Huckleberry Hill Farms (Humboldt County)
Best Beverages:
Whitethorn Rose Pomberry Lemonade by Almora Farm, North Hollywood
Best Wellness Product:
Sleep CBD/THC/CBN Formula by Papa & Barkley, Humboldt County
Craft Cannabis Cultivators Celebrate Recognition in a Competitive Market
Among the most meaningful acknowledgments this year were those awarded to small, independent farms in California’s Emerald Triangle, an area historically associated with premium cannabis production.
Emerald Spirit Botanicals received acclaim for its Pink Boost Goddess, a low-THC, minor cannabinoid-dominant sungrown flower securing the top flower award for a second year. Their dedication to sustainable, small-batch cultivation practices continues to defy expectations in a market often dominated by high-THC strains and commercial operations.
Another standout was Ay Papi, which took home two Golden Bear Awards, a rare and commendable feat. The brand’s collaborative work with Huckleberry Hill Farms, Mattole Valley Sungrown, and Canyon Creek Family Farms demonstrated the power of community driven, craft cannabis and highlighted the resurgence of regenerative and organic farming methods.
Sonoma Hills Farm, known for its artisanal approach, received recognition for its Pink Jesus Hash Holes, a meticulously crafted pre-roll product grown in Sonoma’s renowned agricultural terroir. With deep roots in fine cuisine and organic gardening, the farm showcased how cannabis can stand proudly beside California’s most prestigious farm products.
Science Meets Sensory: A Modern Judging System that Honors Both Data and Experience
To ensure a balanced evaluation, flower entries underwent rigorous scientific testing by SC Labs, where terpene profiles and cannabinoid content were assessed for quality, consistency, and accuracy.
Complementing the lab results, Budist’s 100-point scoring system brought a refined, human touch to the process. Panels of experienced cannabis evaluators judged entries for their flavor, aroma, structure, and overall experience. This hybrid model acknowledges that cannabis is not just chemistry — it’s agriculture, art, and experience combined.
A New Era for Cannabis at Public Events: Embarc Leads the Integration of On-Site Cannabis Consumption
The collaboration between the California State Fair and embarc represents a transformative moment for public cannabis consumption and accessibility. With experience integrating regulated cannabis into large-scale events, embarc facilitated safe, legal sales and consumption at the fairgrounds, changing the narrative around cannabis use in mainstream public spaces.
As part of the celebration, embarc also released a limited-time California State Fair Capsule Collection, including all nine winning products and a branded tote bag. This capsule is available through 16 retail locations statewide and can be ordered via delivery in Sacramento.
Celebrating Progress: Cannabis Secures Its Place in California’s Cultural and Agricultural Heritage
As California continues to lead the nation in cannabis policy, research, and innovation, the Golden Bear Awards serve as both a celebration of excellence and a reminder of how far the industry has come. What was once a prohibited crop is now a centerpiece of state pride, supported by science, community, and a dedication to quality.
The inclusion of cannabis in the State Fair’s broader agricultural competition is a powerful acknowledgment of its value to the state, economically, culturally, and medically.
By spotlighting small farms, regenerative practices, and innovative products, the 2025 Golden Bear Awards show that cannabis in California is not only legal, it’s exceptional.
OG source Download Article 
