December in New Mexico: Where Cannabis and Community Collide

December in New Mexico isn’t just about holiday lights or tamales—this state knows how to party with purpose. As the year winds down, the cannabis community ramps up with events that celebrate not just products but the people behind them. Here’s a taste of what went down at Harvest Cup, Essie Awards, and ABQ the Magazine.

Harvest Cup Awards 2024 – Tularosa, NM

Tularosa rolled out the red carpet for the cannabis elite at the Harvest Cup. It wasn’t just an awards show—it was a showcase of passion, artistry, and a little grit. Chaparral’s Astrobuds made a statement taking home nine awards!

Edibles stole the show, with S'mores Cookies from Baked Baked Goods bringing the nostalgia, Texas Chile by PadrePuff hitting spicy notes, and S'mores Cups by SweetBitty Bakes proving dessert can be an adventure.

1. S'mores Cookies by Baked Baked Goods

2. S'mores Cups by SweetBitty Bakes

3. Texas Chile by PadrePuff

In concentrates, Wedding Pie by P37 and Zake by About Da Time showed off the complexity of modern extraction. Meanwhile, Frost Factory’s Grape Cream Cake reminded us why it’s good to indulge now and then.

1. Wedding Pie by P37

2. Zake by About Dab Time

3. Grape Cream Cake by Frost Factory

Topicals? Sure, it’s not glamorous, but Lit CBD Salve by EKG Gardens and Alter Ego’s Rosin Balm Bomb proved that relief doesn’t have to be boring.

1. Lit CBD Salve by EKG Gardens

2. Soap by Red Sands Organics

3. Rosin Balm Bomb by Alter Ego

And let’s not forget vapes—Iron Lung’s Greek Lemonade and Lemon Mintz stood out, while Harvest Foundation’s Key Lime Guava brought tropical vibes to the high desert.

1. Greek Lemonade by Iron Lung

2. Lemon Mintz by Iron Lung

3. Key Lime Guava by Harvest Foundation

The flower categories—always a battleground—showed why New Mexico is making a name for itself. With indoor and outdoor categories, standouts like Tropcherry by Smokey Road Farms (Indoor Sativa) and P37’s Glitter Bomb (Outdoor Indica) demonstrated the beauty of balance between potency and flavor.

Infused Prerolls

1. Astroruntz Supernova by Astrobuds

2. Zazai x Babesita by Harvest Foundation

3. Runtz x Gushers by Baked Chicken Farms

Prerolls

1. Jelly Donuts by Astrobuds

2. Bue Zushi by Harvest Foundation

3. Superdrip by Alter Ego

Outdoor Indica

1. Dried Fruit by Astrobuds

2. Glitter Bomb by P37

3. Tagalongs by Astrobuds

Outdoor Sativa

1. UFO by Astrobuds

2. Sour D by Hillbilly D

3. Tropical Runtz by Astrobuds

Indoor Hybrid

1. Blue Ivory #5 by Harvest Foundation

2. Yellow Mermaid by Harvest Foundation

3. Silver Bullet by Frost Factory

Indoor Sativa

1. Tropcherry by Smokey Road Farms

2. Bluntz by P37

3. Super Lemon Haze by Fire Flower

Indoor Indica

1. Red Runtz by Baked Chicken Farms

2. Rocket Fuel by P37

3. Crispz by KG505

Outdoor Hybrid

1. Tangier by BM Growers

2. Unabomber by Astrobuds

3. Astroruntz by Astrobuds

Kurple Magazine Essie Awards – El Rey Theater, Albuquerque

At the iconic El Rey Theater, the Kurple Magazine Essie Awards felt more like a celebration of a movement than an industry. The Hash Squash Off delivered on excitement, with Green Fuego’s Super Boof placing 1st; squaring off against Pharmers Quality’s Strawnana in 2nd, and in 3rd GDP by Multitude Manufacturing.

Pharmers Quality dominated several categories, walking away with 12 awards. Their win wasn’t just about quality—it was a statement of their role in shaping New Mexico cannabis.

ABQ The Magazine Best of 2024 – Revel, Albuquerque

Over at Revel, ABQ The Magazine hosted its annual "Best Of" event, reminding us that cannabis is just one piece of the cultural mosaic.

Johnny James snagged Best Local Influencer, proving that charisma and authenticity still matter. Best local DJ went to DJ Sider. Best Budtenders went to Albuquerque Craft Cannabis, with R. Greenleaf and Bad Company close behind. And the crown for Best Dispensary? The Verdes Foundation.

These December events weren’t just about awards—they were about identity, storytelling, and a deep appreciation for craft. New Mexico doesn’t just grow cannabis; it grows culture, connection, and a unique brand of magic that feels a little wild, a little rebellious, and entirely its own.