California State Fair expands to include cannabis sales, on-site consumption

Cannabis exhibition hall will be open to state fair attendees aged 21 and over

– The California State Fair, held annually in Sacramento, will make history this July by integrating onsite cannabis sales and consumption, marking the first time cannabis will be legally sold at a state fair. This event, presented by Embarc, coincides with the fair’s 170th anniversary, highlighting the $5 billion cannabis segment of California’s agricultural industry.

“Expanding the competition to include all form factors and providing patrons the opportunity to directly engage with and consume winning brands is transformational for public understanding of the plant,” said Executive Producer of the Cannabis Competition and Exhibit James Leitz.

Lauren Carpenter, Co-Founder of Embarc, the fair’s partner in facilitating onsite sales and consumption, added, “Hosting cannabis sales and consumption is a groundbreaking milestone in destigmatization by facilitating a deeper connection between consumers and the farmers who cultivate their products with such care. Joining James Leitz on an expanded competition and experiential dispensary is a major step forward for responsible normalization.”

The cannabis exhibition hall will be open to state fair attendees aged 21 and over, featuring educational information about California’s cannabis history and exhibits of top California brands and farms. Attendees can scan QR codes to learn more about Golden Bear award-winning products, add items to a virtual shopping basket, and purchase them at Embarc’s on-site dispensary. A 30,000-square-foot consumption lounge, accessible via a designated walking path, will provide attendees over the age of 21 with the opportunity to try winning products from various farms and brands across California.

“This initiative spotlights the significant role of cannabis in California’s agricultural industry, marking a major milestone in the state fair’s 170-year history,” said Leitz.

The expanded cannabis competition now includes product categories for pre-rolls, concentrates, cartridges, edibles, beverages, and wellness products in addition to flower, with more than 500 entries—double the number compared to last year. The California State Fair Cannabis Awards is the largest state-sanctioned cannabis competition of its kind.

“The California State Fair took a historic leadership position in 2022 with the introduction of a cannabis exhibit and competition,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of the California State Fair. “This year, we’ve expanded our offerings to include onsite sales and consumption in a designated area to provide a platform to amplify California’s rich agricultural bounty and facilitate storytelling for farmers from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We have partnered with the City of Sacramento, the State of California, James Leitz and Embarc—alongside our robust onsite public health and safety infrastructure—to ensure a responsible and community-sensitive event. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the state and beyond to this informative experience.”

For more information about cannabis at the California State Fair, visit castatefaircannabisawards.com. The fair runs from July 12 to July 28.