Is it the terpenes?  Is it high THC?  Maybe it’s the lights or soil?  What exactly does it take to compete and possibly win the title of Grand Champion at the National Cannabis Championship? 

Keep reading as we break down some of the data and cultivation specifics from NCC participants to give some insight on the competition: 

Lights

One of the longest standing debates indoor cannabis cultivators have debated over for decades.  While old timers may have utilized whatever light source they could find - even old street lights - in today’s world we have a plethora of choices with LEDs continuing to lead the way in efficiency and popularity.  Nearly 83% of NCC’s competitors in 2022 used some form of LEDs, so there’s no question that LEDs turn out amazing cannabis flowers.  

So, what were the top five finalists using?  

Out of the top five who placed in the 2022 NCC, 3 were using a combination of LED and another light source like HPS, Ceramic,  or UV in their garden.  More and different light sources working together seems to have given an edge for these growers.

Growing Media

Another age-old debate among cannabis growers of all types is the idea that what you grow your cannabis in makes all the difference.  From coco, to soil, to hydroponics, and living soil, there are as many growing media to choose from as there are growers!  

What did the top ten cultivators use from the 2022 NCC?  

• 6 out of the top 10 used either soil or living soil

• 3 used coco

• 1 used a hydroponic method called deep water culture

Terpenes or THC? 

While we continue to learn more and more about the effect of terpenes, cannabinoids and other compounds produced by cannabis have on our experience when we consume, what actually stands out to the judges?  

It may be a surprise to some, but the saying, “the nose knows,” isn’t too far off from the truth.  Overall terpene content is what stands out more to the judges than higher THC or other cannabinoid percentages. While in 2022 the competitors with the highest THC percentage did make it into the top ten, it was the consistently higher percentages of Terpene content that filled the top five.

Want to learn more about what competitors are using in their gardens for the 2023 National Cannabis Championship?

Make sure to stop by Grower’s World at NCF.  Grower’s World is a one-day haven for cannabis enthusiasts and growers to come together, share and expand their knowledge around safe, sustainable, regenerative, cannabis agriculture. We’ll have classes, demos and chances for you to meet NCC judges and reps from the best seed, lighting and soil companies.

Want to enter NCC?

Follow this link for 2023 entry guidelines!