By Phyllis Pollack

July’s THC Cup, sponsored by Brian Roberts this past weekend on July 14 and 15, gave participants a plethora of samples, free gifts and an opportunity to watch celebrity judges choose what they think is L.A.’s Best Collective Experience. The event was held at the American Hemp Museum.

The 420 Times was a major co-sponsor of the event, which drew a diverse range of participants.

There were so many samples and raffle prizes given away, that thankfully everyone was given a free gift bag in which to carry their treasures. Those attending were plied with medicinals as they socialized and enjoyed the Cup, which was followed by an after party held at the Kush Connection.

The event’s vivacious hostess of America’s Cream of the Cup was Melissa Balin. The producer of several films, Balin co-directed the mini-documentary “The Emperor Has No Clothes” with the late Jack Herer, based on his 1985 book.

According to Balin, and as most participants would likely agree, it was so close in all categories as far as the winners, it almost could have been a tie or a draw.

The THC Cup winner for the highest THC was the Kush Connection’s Master Yoda, which took first place at 20.95 percent. Yoda clearly had everyone fired up.

After the event, the politically active hostess noted, “There’s no doubt in my mind that was a major contributing factor for their taking first place for Best Collective Experience, because having the best cannabis is a big part of the patients’ collective experience.”

The Kush Connection’s display at the THC Cup was very creative, featuring one of film’s greatest and greenest stars. Balin says, “I also think it was it was also a big hit because people got to take a photo with the actual likeness of Yoda from “Star Wars.”

Merging the Jedi and south of the border, tacos laced with Yoda wax were also offered by the Kush Connection, further adding to their Collective Experience first place win.

The grower of the winning strain is Rev Jah, who also made an appearance at the two-day event. Because of his attendance, people were able to ask him about the strain and how it is grown.

Among other awards, second place for Best Collective Experience went to Rainbow Valley Farms’ Richard Davis, curator of the American Hemp Museum. In addition to sampling his collective’s marijuana, the Collective Experience there allowed those attending the THC Cup to see the Hemp Museum’s fabulous display of the history of hemp. They could also view actual items made of hemp, including a bible that was printed in the eighteenth century.

DJ Pooh, who served as one of the celebrity judges, was so taken by the museum’s items, he took several photos of with his iPhone. Respected for his work with numerous recording artists including Tupac Shakur, The Dogg Pound and Ice Cube, Pooh is also known for his work in films, which includes having co-written the film “Friday.”

Balin notes, “We all know what we like about smoking it, but as far as those people that are uneducated and are prejudiced against the plant, it’s nice to share some fun facts with them about how many uses there are for hemp. So Richard Davis gave us some very good factoids to share with people at cocktail parties.”

DNA Genetics California took third place for the Best Collective Experience. Much of the two-day THC Cup focused on issues and political awareness that was a big part of the gathering. An example of this includes the fact that DNA Genetics gave out lots of joints of Kosher OG Kush, in an effort to underscore the need to remediate Fukishima. The collective held a 32-joint salute at 4:20 pm on both days as a reminder about the continuing radiation at Fukishima.

Says Balin, “They gave out so many free joints of Kosher Kush, Tahoe OG Kush, and LA Confidential Kush that it was a shoe-in for third place. It’s worth it to say it was so close, it was almost a tie for third. So it’s worth mentioning the fourth place, as kind of an honorary third place, which was City Compassionate Caregivers.”

That collective won second place for highest THC, with CCC OG at 17.19 percent. Second highest was Rainbow Farm’s Purple Mango at 17.11. At just .08 percent different, it was a close horse race.

The Chronic Ice Hemp Ice Tea that was sampled went quickly, in part because on Saturday, the Bishop Magic Don Juan and Big Percy from Snoop Dogg’s management team showed up, and apparently snagged 27 cases for Snoop’s pool party, slated for the next evening. Their lusciously tasty hemp-infused drinks are distributed by the Kush Boys at Kushboys.com

Among the many brands there, Auntie’s Edibles offered sativa-dosed edibles in an indica dominant edible world. In fact, virtually all of the brand’s many pastries are dosed with Blue Dream.

Kristy’s Kraveables, another brand of edibles at the Cup, offered 10X strawberry cake as part of their savory delights, making their collective Anaheim’s House of Trees some new friends.

The Forbidden Leaf, which manufactures sensual, healing lotions and soaps made with hemp oil, was also there to promote their goods. Among their finest showcased items were lusciously scented hemp soap bars, with marijuana leaves imprinted on them.

Shhmokewhere, with their branded stash jar, was also represented. They have plenty of covert gear to offer, predominately consisting of products that allow medical marijuana users to conveniently carry pipes with them in the most discreet manner possible.

SoCal Seed Company was there, as well, encouraging people to “grow their own.”

Summing it all up, Balin said, “The patients are the true winners.”

Brian Roberts, who co-founded 2009’s THC Expo, and masterminded 20120’s THC Expose´ that was at the Los Angeles Convention Center, will sponsor a subsequent THC Cup in September.