The High Times Cannabis Cup is the most famous cannabis festival in the world and is held each year in November in Amsterdam for the last 25 years. This year it will be held 24-28 November.

The High Times Cannabis Cup was founded by Steven Hagen in 1987. Judges from all over the world can join and vote on their favorite weed after testing a lot of different strains. Basically anybody can obtain a judges pass and early bird passes for the 2013 Cannabis Cup are already available here for about 200 euros (£169).

The festival hosts great concerts and most coffeeshops in Amsterdam are somehow participating. The city will be flooded with even more people smoking weed than usual and it’s a great way to see the city in a different way.

Amsterdam cannabis Cup FAQ’s :

Are the Cannabis Cup judge’s passes available at the event?

Yes, you can actually buy a Cannabis Cup judge’s pass at the door for 250 Euros. The will only accept cash money, remember to take some out and don’t depend on your credit card.

Can I per-order the Cannabis Cup judge’s pass?

Yes, at the official website of cannabiscup.com you can pre-order tickets. The website itself holds no useful info though.

When I buy a judge’s pass, will I get some free samples?

Unfortunately not. You can buy the samples at the participating coffeeshops in the city. Some shops have stands at the expo, and some of them give free samples away, but don’t count on it and bring some cash if you wanna get high.

What does the judges’ pass entitle me to?

The pass first of all gives you the right to vote, but also gives you entrance to all the ceremonies, parties, concerts, seminars and of course the expo for all the days. You will also receive a t-shirt, a program guide and free bus transportation to and from the expo.

Can I still attend the event if I don’t buy the judge’s pass?

Well yes, you can of course buy single day tickets for just the expo for about 50 euros. These tickets you will have to buy at the spot and are not available in advance.

What hostels should you check out?

Well Amsterdam is not that big and with public transport or a bike you can easily get to most places. Have a look at our Amsterdam Hostels page for a tip on the best hostels. Staying at a place near Leidseplein might be a good choice for anyone who wants to attend all the concerts and parties.

Which coffeeshops are participating in the event?

Probably about 30 of the more than 200 coffee shops in Amsterdam will be participating and fighting for a Cannabis Cup. The participating shops will be announced in the program.

Here are some nice clips reviewing the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup 2012: