The California State Fair Gets a Little Higher with Cypress Hill’s Golden Advocacy Award
The California State Fair just got a whole lot cooler. And we’re not just talking about the on-site consumption lounge. On July 22, the iconic hip-hop group Cypress Hill was awarded the Golden Advocacy Award at the California Cannabis Awards, held inside the fairgrounds in Sacramento. This honor celebrates the group’s unwavering dedication to cannabis culture, legalization, and fighting for the freedom of the plant and those incarcerated for it. Co-presented by State Fair CEO Tom Martinez and Lauren Carpenter, CEO of embarc, this award marks a full-circle moment for Cypress Hill, who have never been shy about their love for cannabis – whether it’s on stage, in their music, or on Capitol Hill.
Let’s Get Free
Accepting the award before their headline performance on the Toyota Concert Series stage, B-Real of Cypress Hill stated, “When we started, talking about cannabis was rebellious. But for us, it was always about pushing for truth, freedom, and justice.” Since the early ’90s, Cypress Hill has been making it impossible to ignore weed in hip-hop and beyond. Their lyrics are straightforward and their politics are genuine. They proudly smoke and advocate for cannabis, unapologetically.
When Music Fuels a Movement
“They didn’t just help destigmatize cannabis,” said Carpenter. “They made it impossible to ignore.” And she’s absolutely right. Cypress Hill’s entire discography is essentially a high-level civics course on legalization, freedom, and top-notch weed. But beyond their music, they have become leaders in a larger movement. B-Real’s Dr. Greenthumb dispensaries are now operating in six cities in California and have plans for national expansion. They’re not just smoking it – they’re building it.
High Honors at the High Fair
The California Cannabis Awards, a part of the State Fair’s growing cannabis programming, aim to recognize the individuals and organizations shaping the legal weed landscape in California and beyond. This year’s fair includes new product competitions, on-site sales, educational exhibits, and a full-blown consumption lounge (because let’s be real, nothing goes better with deep-fried Oreos than a joint). The fair is the perfect place to celebrate Cypress Hill’s 30 years of cannabis advocacy and their impact on the industry. So let’s raise a joint to Cypress Hill and their well-deserved Golden Advocacy Award.
