096 From Grey to Green, Growing the Largest Cannabis Competition in The World with Tim and Taylor Blake of The Emerald Cup

"If you win the competition, you get tremendous props and financial rewards coming through there. So it is friendly, but it's also become a very serious thing now, because now its business, its branding. And so it's become something that everybody really works to put their best foot forward and win." - Tim Blake

In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Tim Blake, the founder of the Emerald Cup, a competition showcasing the best of the cannabis industry for years. He is joined by his daughter and The Emerald Cup co-producer Taylor to discuss how they champion the advancement of cannabis culture while navigating California politics and regulations.

[00:01 – 06:49] Celebrating Cannabis: The 4/20 Holiday and  the Emerald Cup

[06:50– 15:19] Creating a Community of Cannabis Enthusiasts

[15:20 – 29:27] The Impact of Legalization on the Landscape and on Legacy Brands

[29:28 – 41:52] The Evolution of Emerald Cup

[41:53 – 54:49] Finding Balance Between Branding and Product Quality

[54:05- – 1:02:01] The Future of Cannabis in California and Beyond

Tim Blake created The Emerald Cup, the world’s largest outdoor cannabis competition thirteen years ago. Tim sponsored and helped produce the first gathering of law enforcement and cannabis farmers to openly discuss how they would work together.  He was the co-founder of the Mendocino Farmers Collective and also Healing Harvest Farms, both local cannabis dispensaries designed to help facilitate getting outdoor cannabis into the dispensaries across the state. He was a founding member of the California Cannabis Reform Policy (CCPR) and was also on the steering committee for the Heritage Initiative (Measure AF). 

Taylor Blake graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and has become a vital leader alongside her father Emerald Cup founder Tim Blake since 2008.  In her current role, she spearheads the Emerald Cup Awards judges' table and product categories, sourcing the best of the best cannabis products and experts to lead the awards. 

Connect with Tim and Taylor

Visit their website, and follow Tim, Taylor, and The Emerald Cup on Instagram.

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Key Quote:
“This was just a unique thing that came up, we've done a heroic act. But we need to open it up to the rest of the country and the rest of the world because cannabis needs to impact society, and this planet. ” -  Tim Blake

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click