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COMMUNITY • CRAFT • EXPERIENCE
August 2026
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Summer is in full swing, and that means something different for everyone.
For me, it has always been tied to the rhythm of the plant.
While I know exceptional cannabis can be cultivated indoors under artificial lights—and let’s be honest, as cannabis becomes increasingly commercial, more and more production is moving indoors despite the enormous energy and water demands that nature provides freely outdoors—my heart and my palate have always been drawn to the sun.
As outdoor plants transition from vegetative growth into flower, so too does the season. Farm visits become more frequent. The days that stretched long into the evening begin to shorten. Conversations with cultivators become richer as excitement builds around what this year’s harvest might bring.
One of the things the Ganjier Guild embraces is the ability to separate preference from quality. Whether a product is grown indoors or outdoors, in living soil or hydroponics, quality can be evaluated through thoughtful, consistent observation. That’s exactly what our community continues to practice through Farm Focus and our ongoing calibration sessions.
Those conversations naturally led us to another important question: How should the Guild contribute to cannabis competitions?
During our listening tour last year, one message came through loud and clear. Ganjiers wanted to be more than spectators. They wanted to help raise the standard.
This fall, we’re proud to do exactly that.
The Guild will oversee judging at two competitions: Legacy Cup in Minneapolis this September and MJ Unpacked in St. Louis this October. Using judging standards developed by our community and rooted in the Systematic Assessment Protocol, we’ll help create a judging experience that is transparent, educational, and consistent while providing meaningful feedback to the cultivators and manufacturers whose hard work deserves thoughtful evaluation.
Having served as a judge myself, I know these competitions are about much more than awarding trophies. They are an opportunity to celebrate craftsmanship, encourage continuous improvement, and build trust throughout our industry.
Wherever this summer finds you, I hope it’s filled with good company, meaningful conversations, and a deeper appreciation for this remarkable plant.
Much Love,
Elizabeth Sage
Executive Director
Ganjier Guild
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On Our Radar: Beyond Terpenes
One of the values that defines the Ganjier Guild is intellectual curiosity. As our understanding of cannabis continues to evolve, so too should the questions we ask.
This month, a discussion within the Guild centered around the science of aroma and whether terpenes are telling the whole story.
For decades, terpenes have served as the industry’s common language for describing cannabis aroma. They remain an important part of how we evaluate and communicate sensory experiences. However, a growing body of research suggests that they may be only one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Several recently published studies—including this paper indexed through PubMed—have found that esters, aldehydes, sulfur-containing compounds, fatty acid derivatives, and other volatile molecules appear to play a significant role in the aromas that distinguish one cultivar from another. In several cases, researchers concluded that terpene profiles alone could not fully explain the sensory differences experienced by trained panels.
This conversation also brought renewed attention to Nose Dive by Harold McGee. While not written specifically about cannabis, the book explores the extraordinary complexity of smell and reminds us that aroma is rarely driven by a single class of compounds. Instead, it emerges from countless molecules interacting with one another and with our own biology.
None of this diminishes the importance of terpenes. Rather, it expands the conversation.
As educators, our responsibility isn’t to defend yesterday’s assumptions or rush to embrace every new hypothesis. It is to remain open-minded, evaluate emerging evidence, and continue refining our understanding as the science progresses.
That’s how knowledge grows. And that’s how standards evolve.
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From the Field: Raising the Standard at Legacy Cup
One of the things we’ve been working toward since the Guild’s inception has been creating meaningful opportunities for Ganjiers to put their training into practice. This fall, we’re excited to take a major step in that direction.
The Ganjier Guild is leading the judging experience for the 2026 Legacy Cup, one of the Midwest’s premier cannabis festivals, taking place September 26 in Minneapolis. Expected to draw more than 12,000 attendees, Legacy Cup is much more than a competition. It’s a celebration of cannabis culture, featuring live music, education, food, public consumption, art, and community.
Our role extends far beyond selecting winners.
The Guild will recruit, train, and calibrate judges using the Guild Assessment Standard (GAS), our community-developed evaluation framework rooted in the Systematic Assessment Protocol. Our goal is to create a judging experience that is transparent, repeatable, educational, and meaningful—not only for judges, but for the cultivators and manufacturers who have dedicated countless hours to producing exceptional products.
Outside of the competition, the Guild is building an immersive educational presence unlike anything we’ve done before.
We’re creating The Green Room, a Minnesota-inspired clubhouse where judges, creators, sponsors, and industry leaders can gather throughout the weekend. It will serve as a hub for interviews, educational conversations, content creation, sponsor activations, and relationship building—bringing together the people who are helping shape the future of cannabis.
Be Part of Legacy Cup 2026
Applications are now open for Guild members and subscribers to serve as Legacy Cup judges. If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to apply your expertise, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re also actively seeking sponsors who believe in advancing cannabis through education, community, and experience. Sponsorship opportunities begin at $500, making it possible for organizations of every size to support this effort while connecting with one of the nation’s newest adult-use markets.
Whether you join us as a judge, sponsor, volunteer, or attendee, we hope you’ll be part of what promises to be an unforgettable weekend.
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Innovation Spotlight: The Dab Standard
As concentrates continue to gain popularity, one challenge remains consistent: education.
For many consumers, dabbing can feel intimidating. Torches, temperatures, unfamiliar devices, and a culture that often celebrates intensity over intention have created barriers that keep many people from exploring one of cannabis’s most nuanced forms of consumption.
That’s exactly what Budist and Certified Ganjier Matthew Shevach set out to change with The Dab Standard.
During a recent Farm Focus session, Matthew shared his vision for redefining the dabbing experience—not as a race to take the biggest hit, but as an intentional practice centered on low-temperature vaporization, aroma, flavor, and finding the consumption method that best aligns with an individual’s goals.
Rather than telling people what to buy, The Dab Standard begins with a question:
Where are you on your dabbing journey?
Whether you’re a curious first-timer, looking to optimize your current setup, or ready to invest in new equipment, Matthew meets consumers where they are with personalized guidance from Certified Ganjiers. The goal isn’t simply mastering hardware; it’s removing the anxiety surrounding concentrates so consumers can stop worrying about the equipment and start appreciating the experience.
Education has always been at the heart of the Guild’s mission, and The Dab Standard is an excellent example of that philosophy in action. By making concentrates more approachable, thoughtful, and personalized, Matthew is helping consumers move beyond consumption and toward connection with the plant.
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What We Are Learning
Every great product has a story.
The challenge is making sure that story gets told.
This August, we’re launching our newest Community Education series: Content Creation. Over the course of the month, we’ll explore how thoughtful storytelling can educate consumers, elevate cultivators, and build trust throughout the industry.
We’re kicking things off with Certified Ganjier Jeremy Alcock (@VeniceGanjier), whose engaging videos have become a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts for their authentic approach to hospitality, home cultivation, and product evaluation. Jeremy will share the tools, workflows, and strategies he uses to create educational content that connects with audiences.
Throughout the month, we’ll be joined by creators, editors, and industry professionals who will pull back the curtain on everything from short-form video and YouTube to editing, storytelling, and building a recognizable voice.
Whether you’re hoping to grow your own platform, better advocate for your favorite products, or simply communicate your passion more effectively, this series is designed to help you create stories that educate, inspire, and build community.
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Join the Conversation
The future of the Guild is built by the people who show up. Each month, we host a Community Building Session where curious, community-minded people come together to connect, share ideas, and help shape what’s next for the Guild.
Join us Sept 13th @ 11amPT / 2pmET to connect with the community, explore upcoming opportunities, and discover how your unique skills and passions can contribute to our mission.
Come as you are. Bring your curiosity. Help us build what’s next. Thank you!
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