High Times Cannabis Cup Debuts in New Jersey With Hip-Hop Lineup

High Times is bringing its flagship Cannabis Cup competition to New Jersey for the first time, with the May 1 event at Atlantic City's Steel Pier featuring performances by Beanie Sigel and hosting by Smoke DZA.

The event marks a milestone for New Jersey's adult-use cannabis market, which launched sales in April 2022. Judging for the competition closes April 24, giving the state's licensed cultivators and processors less than three weeks to submit entries showcasing their products.

New Jersey's cannabis market generated $1.98 billion in adult-use sales during 2024, according to state data. The Garden State now ranks among the top five adult-use markets nationally by revenue, making it a natural target for High Times' expansion of its competition circuit.

The Competition Format

The Cannabis Cup—which High Times has operated since 1988—brings together licensed cultivators, processors, and consumers to judge various product categories. Winners typically see significant sales boosts following the event, with some past Cannabis Cup champions reporting 30-50% increases in demand.

Steel Pier, the historic Atlantic City boardwalk venue, provides a waterfront setting for what High Times positions as both industry showcase and consumer experience. The event combines product judging with live entertainment, vendor booths, and educational sessions.

Smoke DZA, the Harlem-based rapper who's built a career around cannabis advocacy, will host the event. Beanie Sigel, the Philadelphia hip-hop veteran with deep ties to the tri-state area, headlines the performance lineup.

New Jersey's Market Momentum

The timing capitalizes on New Jersey's maturing adult-use market. The state added 23 new retail licenses in the first quarter of 2025, bringing the total to 147 dispensaries statewide. Atlantic County, where the event takes place, currently has six operational adult-use retailers.

But the market still faces headwinds. New Jersey's effective tax rate—which combines sales tax, excise tax, and local levies—can reach 33% in some municipalities. Industry advocates have pushed for tax reform to help legal operators compete with the illicit market, which state officials estimate still accounts for 40% of cannabis sales.

The Cannabis Cup arrival also highlights the ongoing tension between national cannabis brands and state-by-state licensing requirements. High Times itself attempted to go public through a SPAC merger in 2021, but the deal collapsed amid financial scrutiny and market volatility.

What's Next

Product submissions for judging close April 24, giving New Jersey's 57 licensed cultivators and 23 processors a narrow window to enter. Categories typically include flower, concentrates, edibles, and pre-rolls, though specific divisions for the New Jersey event haven't been publicly detailed.

Ticket pricing and capacity information remain undisclosed. Previous Cannabis Cup events have drawn 5,000-15,000 attendees depending on venue size and market maturity.

For Atlantic City, the event represents another step in the resort town's cannabis integration. The city approved its first adult-use dispensary in 2023 and has positioned itself as cannabis-friendly to attract both operators and events. The May 1 date falls on a Thursday, potentially drawing a long-weekend crowd to the city's casinos and boardwalk attractions.

This article is based on original reporting by hightimes.com.