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The Sweetest Showdown Yet

Inside the Blazed Magazine 2026 Gummy Challenge

If you want to understand where the infused edible market is headed, do not look at flashy
billboards or exaggerated marketing copy. Look at the gummies.

The Blazed Magazine Gummy Challenge 2026 brought together some of the most ambitious
names in hemp-derived and cannabis-infused confections, from ultra-high potency heavy hitters
to carefully crafted, flavor-forward, low-dose experiences. Entries were evaluated across multiple
THC categories along with a dedicated mushroom category. Judges focused on flavor, texture,
consistency, ingredient integrity, onset time, and overall effect.

This year, the competition was exceptionally tight.

Mushroom Category Winner
Muscimol Blue Crush by Spores MD

Taking the top spot in the mushroom category was Muscimol Blue Crush by Spores MD.
Unlike psilocybin products, muscimol is derived from Amanita muscaria and delivers a distinctly
different experience. Spores MD has positioned itself as a structured, formulation-focused brand
in a mushroom market that often lacks clarity. Their Blue Crush offering stood out for its clean
execution, consistent dosing, and balanced, calming effect profile.

In a category that can easily drift into novelty, Spores MD demonstrated discipline and product
maturity.

THC Categories
THC entries were divided into three potency tiers:
High THC 100mg+
Mid Range 50mg+
Standard Dose 10mg to 25mg –
Each tier was judged independently, acknowledging that a 200mg product serves a very different
consumer than a 10mg product.

High THC 100mg+ Winner

Looper, Mango Gelato

Looper’s Mango Gelato gummies entered the competition with striking potency numbers,
labeled at 100mg per gummy and 10,000mg per package.
It is important to clarify for readers that products in this high-dose hemp space often contain

blended cannabinoid formulations. The total milligram count may include a mixture of hemp-
derived THC isomers and other cannabinoids rather than 100mg of pure delta-9 THC alone. This

approach has become common in the federally compliant hemp market.
Looper has built a strong retail presence through smoke shops and online distribution, focusing
on bold flavors and intense effect profiles aimed at experienced consumers. Mango Gelato
delivered a pronounced tropical profile and a long-lasting, high-intensity experience that clearly
resonated in the 100mg+ division.

For high-tolerance consumers seeking maximum impact per serving, Looper secured the top
position.

50mg+ Winner
Wyatt Purp, Lemon Bar

Wyatt Purp claimed first place in the 50mg+ category with its Lemon Bar entry.
The brand has developed a reputation for premium-style infused products that emphasize flavor
craftsmanship alongside cannabinoid formulation. The Lemon Bar gummy offered a bright citrus
profile with a clean finish and balanced sweetness.
On a personal note, the Wyatt Purp chocolates were my favorite products in the entire
competition. The chocolate was rich and smooth, with none of the artificial undertones that often
accompany infused confectionery. The effect was strong yet composed, delivering a euphoric and
comfortable experience rather than a jarring spike. It was a reminder that potency and pleasure
are not mutually exclusive.
Wyatt Purp demonstrated that elevated edibles can compete on culinary merit, not just milligram
count.

10mg to 25mg Winner
T&T Roots, Peach and Guava
T&T Roots secured the top position in the standard-dose category with its Peach and Guava
gummies.

This potency range represents where most consumers operate day to day. T&T Roots focused on
flavor harmony and reliable dosing. The peach and guava pairing felt natural and layered rather
than artificially sweet. Lower-dose products leave no room to hide behind strength alone.
Execution matters. T&T Roots delivered.

Four Way Tie for Second Place
The THC competition was so competitive this year that four brands tied for second place:

The Haze Connect, Key Lime Pie
Fyre, Plum Vanilla Kush
3GCC, Blackberry
Freezo, Mimosa Mountain

The Haze Connect impressed with a dessert-forward citrus profile and a fast-acting formulation.
Fyre balanced fruit and creamy vanilla undertones with a smooth cannabinoid blend.
3GCC, short for Gods 3rd Gen Craft Cannabis, leaned into a craft identity with a deep blackberry
profile and consistent texture.
Freezo’s Mimosa Mountain, infused with live rosin, stood out for solventless appeal and terpene
presence rarely captured so clearly in gummy form.
Each of these brands brought a distinctive identity to the table, underscoring how far the edible
category has evolved.

 


Third Place
Endozondo, Citrus Peach

Endozondo earned third place with its Citrus Peach entry. Known primarily for its CBD roots,
Endozondo has expanded thoughtfully into broader cannabinoid formulations. Citrus Peach
offered bright flavor and a smooth onset that appealed to consumers seeking balanced, measured
effects rather than extreme potency.


Runner Ups
Additional recognition goes to:
JOTA, Prickly Pear
CURED, Watermelon Pineapple
MOON MAN, Strawberry Rhubarb
JOTA, Midnight Berry
The depth of quality across the board was notable.

What This Year’s Challenge Revealed
Several trends emerged from the 2026 competition.
Blended cannabinoid formulations continue to dominate the high-dose hemp market.
Flavor sophistication is rising, with dessert-inspired and fruit-layered profiles leading the way.
Live rosin and solventless infusions are carving out a premium niche within gummies.
Consumers remain divided between ultra-high potency seekers and those who prefer controlled,
moderate experiences.

Edibles are no longer a secondary category in cannabis and hemp. They are a primary innovation
lane. Brands are competing not only on strength but on refinement, consistency, and culinary
credibility.

The 2026 Blazed Magazine Gummy Challenge demonstrated that the bar has been raised.
And the category continues to mature.

Texas THC Challenge: Beverage – 2025

The 2025 Texas THC Challenge: A New Era for Blazed Magazine

This year marks not only another round of the Texas THC Challenge, but also the beginning of a new chapter for us as Blazed Magazine. Formerly known as the Texas Hemp Reporter, our publication has evolved alongside the hemp and cannabis industry we’ve been covering for years. In 2025, the rebrand reflects our broader mission: to highlight not just hemp, but the full spectrum of cannabis culture, advocacy, and innovation.

participating brands so far – Looper • Wyatt Purp • Tejas Tonic • Wyld • Ocho • Honey Suckle • Terpy-T • Happie • Brio •

A Challenge Born from Advocacy

The THC Challenge began as a grassroots way to spotlight Texas’ hemp entrepreneurs, product makers, and activists in the face of restrictive policies. Back when we ran as the Texas Hemp Reporter, the contest helped elevate small businesses who were pioneering CBD, hemp flower, and infused product lines across the Lone Star State. Over the years, it became more than a competition—it became a community showcase of resilience and creativity.

The 2025 Edition

This year’s Challenge arrives during a tense legislative climate. With Texas lawmakers again targeting hemp-derived THC products, participants are not only competing for recognition but also standing as symbols of resistance against an industry under siege. From delta-9 gummies to innovative hemp drinks and topicals, the 2025 lineup represents the best of what Texas cannabis entrepreneurs can still create under federal legality—even as state leaders push bans and restrictions.


From Texas Hemp Reporter to Blazed Magazine

The rebrand to Blazed Magazine represents a bold new direction. We’ve grown from reporting on hemp regulations to becoming a full cultural platform, amplifying stories that matter to cannabis advocates, small businesses, and consumers nationwide. The THC Challenge is a perfect reflection of that growth: it’s not just about products anymore, but about identity, politics, and the fight for fairness in the marketplace.

Looking Ahead

As the 2025 Challenge unfolds, we celebrate the innovators who continue to push boundaries and remind lawmakers that this $8 billion industry isn’t going away. Just as Blazed Magazine has expanded beyond its origins, the THC Challenge stands as a reminder that cannabis culture in Texas is here to stay—resilient, resourceful, and blazing a trail for the future.

The Rise of THC Beverages: A Booming Market • National Landscape: Brewing Momentum

Rapid Growth, Small But Mighty
In Q1 of 2025, cannabis-infused beverages
accounted for $54.6 million in U.S. sales—
representing roughly 0.9% of all cannabis sales—but that figure reflects a 15% year-over-year jump from Q1 2024. Within the edibles segment, beverages captured 6% of sales, making them the fourth-largest category behind candy, chocolates, and pills.

Projection and Reach
Forecasts are soaring: Euromonitor estimates that hemp-derived THC drink sales in the U.S. will surpass $1 billion in 2025, with the market potentially expanding to $4 billion by 2028. Brightfield Group reported sales of $382 million in 2024, with expectations to grow to $750 million by 2029. Meanwhile, the legal cannabis beverages sector as a whole could total over $2 billion by 2026.

 

Texas: Facing Reckoning Amid Rising Demand
Economic Stakes Are High

Texas’ hemp industry is a formidable economic engine with $5.5 billion in annual revenue in 2025 $268 million in state tax revenue
53,300 jobs, with $2.1 billion in wages across retail and wholesale sectors
according to AP News, Cannabis Business Times
& Axios.

A full ban on hemp-derived THC, as proposed in Senate Bill 3, SB5 and the newley filed SB6 threatens to wipe out $7.5 billion in output and eliminate over 40,000 jobs in the lone star state.
Thankfully, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott wants lawmakers to have a sensible regullatory framework in place for the Hemp Industry here.

How to Submit for the Texas THC Challenge
BEVERAGE EDITION –

Presented by Blazed Magazine

As the Texas THC Challenge evolves under the Blazed Magazine banner, we remain committed to showcasing excellence in hemp‑derived THC products. Whether you’re a seasoned edibles innovator or a newcomer crafting micro-dose beverages, these are the official rules and guidelines to enter the 2025 Challenge:

Place a Display Ad for your Brand –
Sinlge Full Page • 3 Drinks or Less
$1000

Double Truck Ad for • Submitting more than 4 Drink flavors – $2000 (2 pages)

Categories: Sweet / Non Sweet / &  Drink Additive –

Judged on Taste, Presentation, & Efficacy

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