Yukon Cannacup Encourages First-Time Growers
Cannabis Growing Competition, the Yukon Cannacup, Aims to Promote Growing and Reduce Stigma – LPC
The Yukon Cannacup promotes homegrown cannabis and reduces the stigma involved with growing and using cannabis. At least that’s the goal. There is a certain amount of hesitancy – not surprising since breaking barriers is the whole point. The Friends of Cannabis, described as an “informal affiliation” of members from around the country, hosts the Yukon Cannacup.
“There’s a lot of stigma in Yukon,” said Ross McLeod, President of Friends of Cannabis and a Whitehorse resident. “We’re hoping this is a way to break some of the ice.”
Eight participants received the same germinated seeds – one each – to grow over the summer. Judges will rank the plants in terms of size, health, and cannabis effect. There is an Advanced class and Beginner class, encouraging new growers to give it a try.
Growers do whatever they can to develop the best plant. Although at least one planted indoors, Billy Huebschwerlen decided to plant it in his backyard to take advantage of the midnight sun.
“(The growing season) has been as good as the Yukon can get,” he said.
Yukon Cannacup More Than a Competition – LPC
Lee Goodwin, who is a participant in the Advanced class and a judge, said that the Yukon Cannacup is more than a competition. He is hobbyist grower, and found that growing cannabis has been therapeutic in itself. Goodwin uses cannabis to help him manage pain after an accident. He’s seen the cannabis stigma firsthand.
“I’ve definitely noticed a stigma with cannabis users,” Goodwin said. “I would like it to be more widely accepted. The Cannacup is one way of putting it more in the public’s eye.”
But organizers did see some hesitancy. “A lot of interested parties were/are apprehensive about what their neighbours and co-workers would think if they participated,” McLeod wrote. “I think that in general, most are watching from the wings to see if we can pull the event off, and what the public perception is once we’ve done it.”
In general, homegrown cannabis rose in popularity after legalization. However, Quebec currently is fighting for a ban on homegrown cannabis in the courts. During COVID, cannabis care-mongering became a thing as people dropped off cannabis plants on porches for them to grow.
Will the Yukon Cannacup change the world? Probably not, though that’s the sentiment of the whole organization. “The world needs a new way of thinking,” the Friends of Cannabis website announces. “Cannabis can help.”
But it will likely change perception in Yukon. The Yukon Cannacup is also a great example of how a fun competition mixed with a pinch of social activism can make an impact locally when it comes to fighting cannabis stigma.
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