Transbay Challenge, Fullmoon Sesh Raise the Stakes in Los Angeles

Transbay V represented the continued evolution of Jimi Devine’s yearly competition. The event originally started on a much smaller scale, with Jimi tapping in to his close network of the best growers in the state. Last year it more than doubled in size and moved locations to Los Angeles. This year it went even bigger, becoming a multi-stage process where regional competitions throughout the year led to a final round where winners from all over the state competed to be awarded best in their category.

It’s an event that only Jimie Devine could bring together, with his decade-plus career as a journalist and arbiter of California weed.

Transbay has always been infused with community and heart, and this year was no exception.

Jimi says he expanded the contest because of the great response it’s gotten in the past few years.

“Everything was going so well, we got such great participation at every level of the event and we wanted to figure out a way to diversify, get more brands involved. It’s hard for people to get to San Fransisco or LA so we figured we’d take it on the road,” Jimi said.

From Arcata to Sacramento to the Bay area and So Cal, Transbay “qualifiers” were held throughout 2023, all culimanting in October’s Main Event. It featured four winners on the flower side, two winners on the hash side, and all other entries went to the “best of the rest” category.

Doing things this way meant very simply more people who could participate and get recognition for their product.

“We were able to fit more bodies in the process because it was spread out to so many places. People with fire were able to do their thing,” Jimi said.

At times winners are familiar to the industry, but other times they are lesser-known.

“We definitely had some folks come out of the qualifiers that maybe weren’t super huge names yet but have absolute fucking fire. So we’re so excited to give them a chance to take it ot the next level,” Jimi explained.

Citing past winners like Hash and Flowers and Fidels, Jimi say “seeing Transbay winners just kill it is one of my favorite things.”

Transbay is the result of the community that Jimi has connected with over time. Judges all come with bona fides and the entries are sure to include the best of the best.

“We try and get a bunch of killers out, a bunch of industry professionals, growers, people I’ve worked with for years, and we do our best ot figure out the heat of the moment,” Jimi explains.

As for standouts, Jimi says thath “a lot of big dogs big dogged. But we had some fun new faces in the mix . Moon Valley Organics, Boske’s, Your Highness is making a comeback so it was good to see them qualify,” he said.

“That’s what warms my heart. The whole point of Transbay was to create value for rec brands. It’s another feather in their cap,” Jimi said.

He noticed trends in general being fruit-gas and acetone terpenes.

Transbay has a larger purpose.

“All we’re trying to do is spread the love, share the culture, create value for these homies. At this time, it means a lot,” Jimi said.

Putting on the event means a lot to him.

“It’s a really special thing to me. I never take it for granted,” Jimi said.

Transbay Challenge V: The Main Event
October 21, 2023

Winners:

Flower, 1st Place: Moon Valley Cannabis for Hawaiian Snowcone
Flower, 2nd Place: Maven for French Laundry
Flower, 3rd Place: A Golden State for Moonbeam
Concentrates, 1st Place: Hash and Flowers for WOW
Concentrates, 2nd Place: The Real Cannabis Chris for The Jordan 23
Concentrates, 3rd Place: Mills Nutrients for Key Lime Pie
Best of the Rest, Flower: Greendawg for Candy Fumes
Best of the Rest, Concentrates: Gas Gang for Zuspenders