What is the Cannabis Cup?
The Cannabis Cup is basically the biggest weed competition out there. It started in Amsterdam back in 1988, thanks to High Times magazine, and now happens in a bunch of places, including the U.S. The whole idea is to find out who’s growing the best cannabis. Growers, breeders, and brands enter their best strains, edibles, concentrates, and even vape pens. Then, a group of judges (sometimes even regular people who buy judge passes) gets to try everything and vote on what’s the best.
It’s not just about the competition, though. The Cannabis Cup is also a massive festival with live music, celebrity appearances, cool seminars, and a ton of weed-friendly activities. Winning a Cannabis Cup is a huge deal for any strain or brand—it’s like getting an Oscar in the weed world. If a strain is a Cannabis Cup winner, you know it’s top-shelf stuff.
Shop by dominance and vibe
Some Cannabis Cup winning cultivars hit like a slow, heavy exhale. Others feel more chatty and up. If you shop by dominance, you can get close to the kind of session you want before you even pick your seed type.
Indica leaning Cup winners
If you want a calmer, end of day vibe, start here. Cultivars like Wedding Cake, Forbidden Fruit, Bubba Kush, Critical Kush, Death Star, Tora Bora, Venom OG, and Peanut Butter Breath tend to pair big flavor with a more laid back feel. This bucket is a solid match for night grows, movie nights, and anyone chasing dense, Kushy genetics without overthinking it.
Sativa leaning Cup winners
If you want something brighter and more active, go with the sativa leaning picks. Green Crack, Tangie, J1, Golden Goat, Ghost Train Haze, Neville’s Haze, and Dutch Treat are the kinds of cultivars people reach for when they want a lively, upbeat headspace and loud aroma. Great for daytime sessions, social plans, or creative errands.
Hybrid Cup winners
Hybrids are the easy middle ground. Zkittlez, Runtz, Jealousy, Mac 1 Auto, Strawberry Banana Auto, Tropicana Cookies Auto, plus sticky classics like Gorilla Glue (GG) Auto and Gorilla Glue #4 Auto usually land in that balanced zone. You get a mix of flavor, frost, and versatility that plays nice across a lot of grow styles.
What are the most popular Cannabis Cup Winning Strains?
Some strains just keep showing up at the top of the list, year after year. Here are a few of the most popular Cannabis Cup Winning Strains that everyone seems to be talking about lately:
- Runtz: This one exploded in 2020. It’s got super sweet, candy-like flavors and gives you a chill, happy high that works for both day and night. People love it for its colorful buds and smooth smoke.
- MAC (Miracle Alien Cookies): MAC won in 2021 and is known for its frosty, dense buds and a mix of citrus and earthy flavors. The high is balanced—uplifting but also relaxing, so you can use it for pretty much anything.
- Peanut Butter Breath: This strain took the cup in 2023. It’s got a nutty, earthy taste and a mellow, relaxing vibe that’s perfect for kicking back after a long day.
- Jealousy: This is a newer favorite, winning in 2022. It’s super strong and has a sweet, diesel flavor. The high hits hard at first, then settles into deep relaxation—great for evenings.
- Cookies and Cream: This one’s been a classic since 2014. It’s sweet and vanilla-like, with a high that melts away stress but keeps your mind clear.
- Tangie: A throwback winner from 2015, Tangie still gets a lot of love for its citrusy, tangerine flavor and energetic, creative high.
- Strawberry Banana: This strain is all about the sweet, fruity flavor and a calming, euphoric high that’s not too heavy.
- Lemon Kush: Known for its refreshing lemon taste and balanced effects, Lemon Kush is a go-to for people who want to chill out without feeling too sleepy.
These strains have all won big at the Cannabis Cup and are still super popular because they taste great and deliver the kind of high people want. If you’re looking for cannabis seeds for Cannabis Cup Winning Strains, these are some of the best picks out there.
29% THCa
