SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Visitors at the California State Fair will be able to buy cannabis on-site this year in a first for the fair, according to Embarc, the fair’s partner for onsite sales and consumption.
Embarc says it’s a continuation of the fair’s leadership on cannabis after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation allowing licensed cannabis events in California.
For the first time in State Fair history, you’ll be able to purchase cannabis and smoke it at an on-site consumption lounge.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Visitors at the California State Fair will be able to buy cannabis on-site this year in a first for the fair, according to Embarc, the fair’s partner for onsite sales and consumption.
Embarc says it’s a continuation of the fair’s leadership on cannabis after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation allowing licensed cannabis events in California.
“This is a huge deal,” Dustin Moore, co-founder of Embarc.
The State Fair introduced a cannabis exhibit and awards competition in 2022.
“This is the similar exhibit to what folks saw in 2022 and 2023, with the difference that alongside of the awarded products will be QR codes,” said Moore. “So folks over the age of 21, can pull out their phones and effectively build a cart just as you would in a traditional e commerce shopping setting.”
Now, there will be a broadened cannabis competition, onsite sales and consumption. Embarc says it’s a step in destigmatizing cannabis.
“Hosting cannabis sales and consumption is a groundbreaking milestone in destigmatization by facilitating a deeper connection between consumers and the farmers who cultivate their products with such care,” said Lauren Carpenter, co-founder of Embarc.
The cannabis exhibition hall is 21+ and has information about the state’s history with the flower and exhibits of California’s top brands and farms.
For those concerned about the fair being a family friendly event, the entire hall is only for those 21 and over, meaning children won’t get anywhere close.
“Your children will have no opportunity to look at or touch any of these products. And I think that’s something that we’re incredibly proud of given the stringent regulations that are in place,” said Moore.
There will also be a 30,000-square-foot consumption lounge for those over 21. The consumption area will be located outdoors, in a tent and officials say it will be located far away from any areas where people don’t want to see or smell people using marijuana.
This year’s cannabis competition includes new categories for pre-rolls, concentrates, cartridges, edibles, beverages and wellness products.
Trophies and Medals
The California Cannabis Awards were designed from day one to raise the bar. Entries are lab-tested by SC Labs and evaluated by expert judges from Budist using a 100-point scoring system. Logistics are handled by embarc, Nabis, and Redwood Roots—a supply chain built for transparency and compliance.
In short, this isn’t vibes judging. It’s scientific, standardized evaluation.
At a time when reform conversations are accelerating nationwide, competitions like this help demonstrate that regulated cannabis can meet and exceed the standards expected of any agricultural product in the mainstream economy.
In a press release, Tom Martinez, CEO of the California Exposition & State Fair, said this is precisely what the competition achieves.
“The California Cannabis Awards reflect the same spirit of excellence that defines the Fair itself, recognizing the skill, stewardship, and dedication contributing to California’s diverse agricultural landscape.”
By placing award-winning brands inside the California State Fair, where hundreds of thousands of adults can learn about, purchase, and consume cannabis legally, the CCA continues to model what responsible integration can look like.
Winning, or even placing, in a state-sanctioned, scientifically judged competition provides something beyond a medal. It offers validation in front of consumers, policymakers, and mainstream institutions.
“Five years ago, this level of acceptance within a state institution would have seemed aspirational,” said Lauren Carpenter, CEO of embarc. “Today, it’s a reality. This competition proves cannabis can be evaluated with measurable standards and celebrated responsibly.”
There’s also the fact that best-in-show, Golden Bear winners will have unique retail opportunities outside of Cal Expo, thanks to partner retailer embarc. The products will be sold at select embarc locations across the state during exclusive drops, and enjoy in-store marketing to highlight their achievements.
For operators, that exposure isn’t symbolic. It’s survival.
