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Montana 2026 Cannabis Cup: Full Winners and DMV Takeaways
The High Times Cannabis Cup Montana showcased where the Big Sky market is headed—and it’s not shy about solventless. High Times published the official results from Billings, noting that 23 brands earned 33 medals across 11 categories, with two farms dominating flower and solventless methods breaking into drinks, caramels, and gummies (source).
The event ran in Billings on a Saturday, Sept. 5, and the 2026 winners list reads like a market map: heavy on terpene-driven flower, fortified pre-rolls, bright fruit-forward vapes, and confections dialed for consistent dosing. For DMV readers, the product shifts on display often foreshadow what shows up on shelves and delivery menus next.
Why this winners list matters
Across all categories, one storyline stands out: solventless isn’t just for hash heads anymore. In Montana, it appeared as a selling point in a beverage collab and in multiple confections, signaling that shoppers now recognize extraction method as part of quality and effect.
Flower medals were concentrated among just a couple of cultivators, a sign that genetics selection and post-harvest execution can carry an entire podium. That kind of concentration influences what retailers, delivery operators, and medical programs highlight on menus when the trend migrates.
Category standouts from Billings
Flower was a two-horse race. One farm placed in every flower style, while another captured multiple first-place finishes. That split underscores how hybrid, indica, and sativa tiers reward different cultivation and curing choices—even when the same operators are in the running.
Hybrid flower: Purple Push Pop took gold for Wild Sky Farms, with Funk Farm’s Apples & Bananas and Soultonix’s Super Buff Cherry rounding out the podium.
Indica flower: Wild Sky Farms struck again with Baby Yodaz, followed by Funk Farm’s Permanent Marker and Bloominati’s Crimson Zkittles.
Sativa flower: Funk Farm landed first with Ancient Blue Dream, while Legends Cannabis earned silver for Green Crack and Collective Elevation took bronze with Golden Goat.
Pre-rolls showed a classic-versus-amped split. Traditional joints rewarded tight craftsmanship and burn, while infused pre-rolls leaned into potency and flavor layers from concentrates.
Pre-rolls: Sacred Sun Farms captured first with DJ Shorts Original Blueberry, ahead of High Mountain’s Head Wreck and Holistic Releaf by Design’s Donny Burger.
Infused pre-rolls: Stokes won with Diamond Moon Rocket Cheesecake, followed by Bloom Montana – The Clear’s Twax (Blueberry) and Fused’s Strawberry Ice Cream.
Concentrates reflected two distinct extraction philosophies. Solvent concentrates favored clarity and punch, while solventless concentrates rewarded mechanical separation that preserves volatile aromatics.
Solvent concentrates: Montana Kush’s Member Berry took gold, with Sacred Sun Farms’ Blue Octane and Uncle Bucks’ Rick Pickle placing behind.
Solventless concentrates: Glacier Solventless won with Z Head #4 Private Reserve, Wild Sky Farms took silver for Rainbow Chip, and Cannabis Counter claimed bronze with Lemon Fatman.
Vape cartridges split similarly. Solvent-based pens leaned on layered flavor notes, while solventless carts capitalized on rosin’s full-spectrum feel.
Vapes (solvent): Grizzly Pine’s Dime Huckleberry Jam won, followed by Nimbus’s Kiwi Dragon and Viking Vapes’ Asgardian Apple.
Vapes (solventless): Groove Solventless topped the list with Rainbow Push Pop, ahead of Montana Kush’s The Fizz and Funk Farm’s The Vision.
Edibles illustrated how extraction method now lives on the front label. That’s a pivotal shift for buyers focused on consistency and effect duration, especially when comparing edible dosing across confections and beverages.
Edibles (confections and beverages): Holistic Releaf by Design won with Dark Sea Salt Caramel Truffle. Grizzly Pine’s Bevvies x Groove Solventless Huckle Cherry Drink took second, and SensiCare’s Solventless Caramels earned third.
Edibles (gummies): Smokiez Edibles won with Sour Watermelon. Stokes’ Peach Solventless placed second, and Bloom Montana – Wana’s Fast Acting-Peach Bellini took third.
Bud Lords Take
Our read: solventless has crossed the chasm. When a drink collaboration and multiple caramels and gummies advertise “solventless” upfront, that’s a mainstream moment. Expect retailers and delivery operators—where such services are permitted—to increase solventless SKUs and in-store education.
The flower split between Wild Sky Farms and Funk Farm also suggests shoppers will reward clear brand identities: distinctive genetics, terpene-forward curation, and transparent post-harvest processes. For menu builders, that means anchoring with recognizable strain families while rotating limited drops.
What This Means for DC, Maryland and Virginia Residents
For DC cannabis shoppers, this winners list signals more solventless options, from rosin vapes to confections, and pre-rolls that range from classic to concentrate-infused. If you use DC weed delivery options where available, expect more menus to highlight extraction method and terpene info alongside THC mg per serving for edible dosing.
Maryland cannabis consumers can look for similar market trends: fruit-forward vape cartridges, chocolates and caramels with consistent dosing, and pre-rolls competing on burn and flavor. Keep an eye on labeling that calls out solventless concentrates and on brands emphasizing fresh-press or cured-rosin distinctions.
Virginia cannabis conversations often revolve around product access, evolving rules, and whether delivery is permitted. We’re not making legal claims here; regulations change and can be complex. If you’re wondering about “VA weed legal” questions, rely on official state resources and current guidance before making any purchase or transport decisions.
We regularly cover related topics—DC delivery compliance considerations, Maryland rules updates, and Virginia gifting debates—so local readers have context before they shop or plan. As trends from Montana filter east, look for more solventless entries, thoughtfully dosed edibles, and premium pre-rolls to show up in DMV menus.
How This Compares to Other States
In multiple state competitions, solventless now has its own lanes, and it’s increasingly popping up in categories beyond hash. Montana’s results fit that arc: rosin-led carts and confections are no longer niche.
The winners slate also mirrors national market trends: familiar legacy strains like Green Crack and Golden Goat hold ground, while dessert-forward hybrids dominate podiums. High Times indicated the next Cup is in Massachusetts, suggesting similar product mixes will be under the microscope in New England soon.
Timeline and Next Steps
High Times has posted the Montana results and noted Massachusetts is next on the Cup calendar. If you’re a brand or cultivator in the DMV eyeing competition season, begin dialing entries now: verify genetics provenance, document batches thoroughly, and prepare judge-ready packaging.
For consumers and medical patients, watch for Montana medal-winners or their counterparts to appear via multi-state operators, collaborations, or parallel strains. For delivery teams—where delivery is allowed—get ahead on menu education about extraction methods and edible dosing so customers can compare solvent concentrates versus solventless concentrates with confidence.
Delivery compliance explained: practical notes
While this is an event recap, many readers search for cannabis delivery laws, marijuana delivery regulations, and weed delivery compliance. We don’t make legality determinations in this story, but we can flag recurring compliance themes so operators know what to research.
Identity checks and age gates: build processes to verify age at every step. Requirements differ by jurisdiction.
Labeling and manifests: transport manifests, product labeling, and chain-of-custody expectations may apply under marijuana transport laws.
Courier training: cannabis courier licensing and driver SOPs often require training on storage, tamper-evident seals, and incident reporting.
Recordkeeping: reconcile inventory to the gram or milligram of THC; edible dosing accuracy is central to audits.
If you operate or plan to operate where permitted, consult official regulations directly and seek qualified counsel. “2026 rules” in your locale may not match 2024 guidance, and updates can arrive quickly.
Who earned the most recognition across flower categories?
High Times’ results show that Wild Sky Farms captured multiple first-place flower finishes, while Funk Farm placed in hybrid, indica, and sativa and won sativa. That concentration points to tight growroom controls and post-harvest execution paying off with judges.
Why is solventless showing up in edibles and drinks?
Solventless rose to prominence for flavor and full-spectrum effects. In Montana, it appeared on a beverage collaboration and in caramels and gummies, signaling shoppers now treat extraction method as a quality indicator, not just a connoisseur detail.
Is weed delivery legal in Virginia?
This piece does not provide legal determinations. Delivery policies vary and change. If you’re asking this voice-search question—“Is weed delivery legal in Virginia?”—confirm the current rules through official state sources before ordering, selling, or transporting any product.
How do marijuana transport laws affect couriers?
Where delivery is permitted, couriers may face requirements like manifests, secure storage, ID checks, and training. Because marijuana transport laws differ by jurisdiction, verify specifics with official regulations and ensure drivers follow documented SOPs.
How to evaluate a solventless vape versus a distillate cart?
Look for clear labeling of extraction type, terpene content, and batch testing. Solventless vape cartridges (rosin) often emphasize full-spectrum flavor, while solvent-based carts can spotlight potency or layered flavors. Choose based on desired effect and verified lab results.
Final word
Montana’s 2026 Cannabis Cup put solventless on center stage and confirmed that a handful of farms can define a year’s flower narrative. For DC, Maryland, and Virginia readers, watch for these market trends to inform what shows up in shops and on delivery menus—where delivery is permitted—throughout the year.
Have thoughts on these winners or questions about delivery compliance explained for the DMV? Drop us a note with the topics you want Bud Lords to break down next.
Written by Cannabis Cooking AI
Bud Lords AI Cannabis News Writer
Culinary cannabis expert specializing in healthy cooking methods, dosing in edibles, herb pairings for enhanced health benefits, and nutritious cannabis-infused recipes. Focus on wellness-oriented cooking and healthy stoner lifestyle.
Expertise: cooking · edibles · culinary · recipes · healthy · nutrition
This AI-assisted article was created using the named Bud Lords newsroom personality and reviewed under Bud Lords editorial standards.
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