Cannabis Cup 2025: Inside the Non-Distillate Judge Kit ($229)
Cannabis Cup 2025: Inside the Non-Distillate Judge Kit ($229)
The High Times Cannabis Cup has returned to New York, and we picked up the official judge kit to see what brands and products made the cut. Marketed as the "Non-Distillate" kit, this collection retails for $229 + tax (a $620 value) and promises premium extracts - but does it live up to the name?
Spoiler: Not quite. While most products are indeed solventless or full-spectrum extracts, there are a few classic distillate cartridges mixed in. Here's our complete breakdown.
How to Become a Judge
Purchasing the judge kit from a licensed New York dispensary automatically enrolls you in the Cannabis Cup judging process. Here's how it works:
- Purchase at dispensary - When you buy the kit, you'll provide your email and phone number for registration
- Text verification - You'll be asked to text a specific number with a code provided by the dispensary
- Judge registration - An automated system texts back requesting additional information
- Portal access - After completing registration, you receive a link to the official judge's portal where you can submit your reviews
- Backup access code - Inside the kit bag, there's a card with an access code for manual registration if needed
The kit also includes a judging pamphlet with:
- Sections for taking notes on each product
- QR codes that link directly to each product's judging page in the portal
- Guidelines for evaluating flavor, effects, and overall quality
Kit Extras
Beyond the 10 vape products, the judge kit includes:
- Vape batteries - Compatible 510-thread batteries for the cartridges (not needed for AIOs)
- Rolling tray - High Times branded tray
- Rolling papers - For traditional consumption
- Judging materials - Pamphlet and access cards
Total retail value: $620
Actual cost: $229 + tax
Important Dates
- November 14, 2025 - Judge kits became available at dispensaries statewide
- November 14 - January 7, 2026 - Judging period (submit reviews via portal)
- January 7, 2026 - Final judging deadline
- January 24, 2026 - Awards show and winners announcement!
What's in the Kit?
The Cannabis Cup judge kit includes 10 vape products from established and emerging brands in New York's legal cannabis market - a mix of cartridges and all-in-one (AIO) devices. Here's the full lineup with pricing (note: prices vary by location and dispensary):
1. MFNY - Hash Burger Live Resin Vape Pen (0.5g) - $45
MFNY leads off with their Hash Burger strain in a half-gram live resin pen. MFNY uses hydrocarbon extraction (butane/propane) to preserve terpenes from fresh-frozen cannabis. Live resin retains the plant's original terpene profile for authentic flavor.
What to expect: Rich, gassy burger-like flavor profile with potent effects. Hydrocarbon extraction tends to produce some of the most flavorful concentrates.
2. Rove - Maui Waui Full Spectrum Vaporizer (1g) - $55
According to the package, Rove's "Melted Diamond" line contains "Live Resin Diamond, Cannabis Oil & Terpenes." This is a blended product combining live resin diamonds with cannabis oil (likely distillate) and added terpenes. Similar to other diamond blends, this isn't pure live resin.
What to expect: Sweet pineapple and citrus notes with energizing daytime effects. The diamond infusion provides potency while the cannabis oil base and added terpenes create the flavor profile. Full-spectrum claims may be overstated given the blended nature. Read our full review.
3. Nanticoke - X Series Chem Dog × Raspberry Punch Cured Resin (1g) - $50
Update: Despite being marketed as "cured resin," the package lists "Cannabis Extract and Cannabis-Derived Terpenes" - which may indicate distillate with added terpenes rather than actual cured resin.
What to expect: Earthy, diesel notes from Chem Dog balanced with sweet berry undertones from Raspberry Punch. Potent hybrid effects. Read our full review.
4. Woodstock - Grape Cake Live Resin 510 Cartridge (1g) - $65
Woodstock delivers a full-gram live resin cart with Grape Cake, an indica-dominant strain. Standard 510-thread makes it compatible with most batteries.
What to expect: Sweet grape and vanilla dessert flavors with relaxing, sedative effects. Premium live resin quality. Read our full review.
5. Dime Industries - Grape Limeade Live Reserve (1g) - $50
Wait, what? Here's where the "non-distillate" claim gets murky. Dime's Live Reserve line uses "high terpene extract and melted diamonds" - meaning decarbed THCa crystals with terpenes added. Cleaner than distillate, but still not live resin despite the "Live Reserve" name.
What to expect: Clean, smooth vapor with grape flavor (the limeade barely comes through). Decent effects but the marketing overpromises. Read our full review.6. Jetty - Papaya Smash Solventless (1g) - $65
Jetty's "Solventless" line uses pressed rosin - no chemicals, just heat and pressure. This is one of the cleanest, most premium extraction methods available. The Papaya Smash strain brings tropical fruit flavors.
What to expect: Pure, unaltered cannabis flavor with all the plant's natural compounds intact. Expect sweet, tropical papaya notes with potent hybrid effects. Connoisseur-grade quality.
7. Brass Knuckles - Skywalker OG Live Liquid Diamonds AIO (1g) - $70
Brass Knuckles' "Live Liquid Diamonds" combines distillate with THCA crystalline (diamonds). While diamonds add texture and potency, the base is refined distillate.
What to expect: Skywalker OG flavoring with very high THC levels. All-in-one design means no separate battery needed. Read our full review.
8. PAX - Live Rosin with Diamonds AIO Guava Gelato (1g) - $90
The priciest product in the kit. PAX combines live rosin (solventless extraction) with THCA diamonds for maximum potency and flavor.
What to expect: Tropical guava and creamy gelato flavors with extremely high potency. Premium all-in-one hardware. Read our full review.
9. RYTHM - T Haze Live Resin Pen (2g) - $75
RYTHM (by GTI/RISE) offers a massive 2-gram pen with T Haze.
What to expect: Citrus-forward sativa with energizing effects. Great value at $37.50/gram. Read our full review.
10. RYTHM - Afternoon Delight #4 Live Rosin Vape Cart (0.5g) - $55
RYTHM rounds out the kit with a half-gram live rosin cartridge. Afternoon Delight is a balanced hybrid strain.
What to expect: Clean, solventless extraction with smooth hybrid effects. Premium quality in a smaller format.
The Verdict: Is This Really "Non-Distillate"?
Mostly, but not entirely. Here's the breakdown:
True Non-Distillate Products (5/10):
- ✅ MFNY Hash Burger (Live Resin)
- ✅ Woodstock Grape Cake (Live Resin)
- ✅ Jetty Solventless (Live Rosin)
- ✅ RYTHM T Haze (Live Resin)
- ✅ RYTHM Afternoon Delight #4 (Live Rosin)
May Contain Distillate/Cannabis Oil (4/10):
- ⚠️ Nanticoke Chem Dog × Raspberry Punch (labeled "Cured Resin" but package says "Cannabis Extract + CDTs")
- ⚠️ Dime Industries Grape Limeade (Melted Diamonds + HTE)
- ⚠️ Brass Knuckles Skywalker OG (Distillate + Diamonds)
- ⚠️ Rove Maui Waui (Cannabis Oil + Live Resin Diamonds + Terpenes)
Premium Hybrid (1/10):
- ❓ PAX Guava Gelato (Live Rosin + Diamonds - solventless base)
Price Breakdown
Note: Individual product prices shown are approximate retail prices before tax and may vary by dispensary.
| Product | Size | Price | Price/Gram |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFNY Hash Burger | 0.5g | $45 | $90/g |
| Rove Maui Waui | 1g | $55 | $55/g |
| Nanticoke Chem Dog × Raspberry Punch | 1g | $50 | $50/g |
| Woodstock Grape Cake | 1g | $65 | $65/g |
| Dime Industries Grape Limeade | 1g | $50 | $50/g |
| Jetty Solventless | 1g | $65 | $65/g |
| Brass Knuckles Skywalker OG | 1g | $70 | $70/g |
| PAX Guava Gelato | 1g | $90 | $90/g |
| RYTHM T Haze | 2g | $75 | $37.50/g |
| RYTHM Afternoon Delight #4 | 0.5g | $55 | $110/g |
| Retail Total | 10.5g | $620 | ~$59/g |
| Kit Price (+ tax) | 10.5g | $229 | ~$22/g |
Retail value: $620 (vape products only, not including batteries/accessories)
Actual kit price: $229 + tax
Actual cost per gram: ~$22/g before tax, ~$26-27/g after tax (varies by location)
You save: ~$391 (63% discount!)
Best value: RYTHM T Haze at $37.50/gram for live resin
Premium picks: PAX, Jetty, and RYTHM Afternoon Delight for solventless rosin
What We Learned
The Good
- Variety of extraction methods - The kit exposes judges to different techniques: live resin, cured resin, live rosin, and distillate blends
- Premium brands - Recognizable names in the NY cannabis scene
- Educational value - Side-by-side comparison helps understand the differences between extraction types
The Questionable
- "Non-Distillate" claim - Including Dime (melted diamonds) and Brass Knuckles undermines the marketing
- Inconsistent quality tiers - Mixing $50 distillate carts with $90 rosin carts creates uneven comparisons
- Marketing confusion - Terms like "Melted Diamond" and "Live Liquid Diamonds" obscure what's actually inside
The Missing
- No CO2 extracts - A popular solventless-adjacent option
- Limited pure solventless - Only 2 of 10 are pure solventless (Jetty, RYTHM Afternoon Delight rosin). PAX is solventless but diamond-infused.
- No CBD or balanced ratios - All appear to be high-THC products
Should You Buy the Judge Kit?
For consumers: At $229 + tax, this is actually a solid value. The 10 vape products alone would cost $620 at retail prices, plus you get batteries, rolling accessories, and the chance to vote on NY's best cannabis products.
For enthusiasts and connoisseurs: If you're serious about cannabis education and want to calibrate your palate across different brands and extraction methods, this kit is an excellent investment - especially with the bonus accessories and judging participation.
For actual judges: This is your homework - judge responsibly!
Where to Buy These Brands in NY
Most of these brands are available at licensed dispensaries across New York. Use FindWeedNY's dispensary finder to locate stores near you that carry:- MFNY - Hash Burger live resin
- Rove - Featured brand
- Nanticoke - X Series line
- Woodstock - Grape Cake live resin
- Dime Industries - Live Reserve line products
- Jetty - Solventless line
- Brass Knuckles - Live Liquid Diamonds
- PAX - Premium all-in-one devices
- RYTHM - GTI/RISE brand
Final Thoughts
The Cannabis Cup 2025 judge kit is a solid introduction to premium vape cartridges in New York's legal market, even if the "non-distillate" branding is a stretch. It highlights the evolution of cannabis products from simple distillate carts to complex, full-spectrum extracts that preserve the plant's original character.
Our recommendation: Try the solventless options first (Jetty, PAX, RYTHM Afternoon Delight) to experience the peak of extraction technology, then work your way through the live resins to understand how different strains and methods affect flavor and effects.
Happy judging! 🏆
Related Reading
- Vape Cartridge Types: Complete Guide to Distillate, Resin, and Rosin
- Understanding Cannabinoids: THC, CBD, and Beyond
- Understanding Terpenes: The Aromatic Compounds That Shape Cannabis Effects
- First-Time Dispensary Visit: Complete Guide
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Product availability and pricing may vary by location and dispensary. Always consume responsibly and in accordance with New York State law.
Product images sourced from the official judges portal at cannabiscup.com.