Tag: Moon Man

The Sweetest Showdown Yet

Written by Stone Slade on February 17, 2026. Posted in Events.

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.

Blazed Texas Flower Challenge

Written by Stone Slade on January 4, 2026. Posted in News.

Inside the judging, the winners, and why Texas growers held their own.

The Blazed Texas Flower Challenge brought together serious heat from across the country. Twenty one entrants. Five judges. One simple scoring system designed to cut through hype and get straight to the flower.

Each entry was scored from 1 to 5 across four core categories: Aroma, Taste, Visual Aesthetics, and Efficacy. No gimmicks. No brand bias. Just the plant, presented as-is. As one of the five judges, I can say this confidently: the overall quality level was high. There were no throwaway entries. Even the lower rankings showed care, intention, and solid cultivation fundamentals.

But a few stood out immediately, and by the time the scores were tallied, Texas growers had made it clear they belonged at the very top of the field. How the Judging Worked All flower was evaluated blind. Judges worked independently, focusing on consistency across categories rather than chasing one standout trait. Loud aroma without flavor did not carry the day.

Pretty buds without effect did not either. The highest scoring entries delivered balance. Clean terp profiles. Proper cure. Flavor that translated from nose to exhale. And effects that matched expectations.

First Place Winner Raw Gas Club – Animal Mintz

Animal Mintz took the top spot for good reason, and its win carried extra weight. In a national field, a Texas-grown entry rose to first place, setting the tone for what would become a strong showing from in-state cultivators. This evenly balanced hybrid brought everything together in one jar.

From the moment it was opened, the aroma hit with sweet mint, cookie dough, and a sharp edge of diesel and pine. The flavor followed through cleanly, with a minty cookie inhale and a lightly nutty vanilla finish. Visually, the flower checked all the boxes. Forest green buds, bright amber hairs, dense trichome coverage, and a sticky resin coat that spoke to proper harvest timing and cure.

The effects sealed it. A heavy cerebral onset that eased into full-body relaxation without immediately knocking you out. Potent, but not sloppy. With reported THC levels in the mid to high 20s, it delivered long-lasting relief and deep sedation when leaned into. This was a complete flower. No weak links.

The Rest of the Podium Second place The Dope Co. – Super Buff Cherry Third place Geremy Greens – Koolato Third place marked another big moment for Texas.

Geremy Greens secured a podium finish with Koolato. This one deserves special mention. Koolato was my personal top flower of the competition. The terp profile stood out, the structure was dialed in, and the overall presentation showed real grower intention. Geremy Greens also grows a Texas Shoreline cultivar that I would love to see in future competitions. If Koolato is any indication, that one could be special. Beyond the Podium: Depth of the Field Just outside the podium, the competition remained tight, with several entries separated by only fractions of a point.

Fourth place went to Loud Puff with Scented Marker, a standout that impressed judges with its distinct terpene profile and overall balance.

Fifth place saw a three-way tie, underscoring just how competitive the field was this year. Dank Fil A earned its spot with Dank Poison, while A Treez delivered a strong showing with Wid Bill OG. Rounding out the tie was Moon Man, whose Pink Gumbo brought enough flavor and effect to keep it firmly in the top tier. The runner-up category featured a deep bench of quality cultivators. Sixth place was shared by Wyatt Purp and Endozondo, both of whom submitted flowers that consistently scored well across aroma, taste, and efficacy.

Seventh place went to Legend Cannabis Co. with Legend Candy, a clean and well-executed entry that hovered just outside the top six. Eighth place was another three-way tie, with Happy Cactus (Dante’s Inferno), Haze Connect (Dumb Gas), and EZ Grown (Sherb n Runtz) all landing in striking distance of one another. Each brought something different to the table, but all demonstrated solid cultivation and curing practices. Ninth place followed the same pattern, with 3GCC (Northern Haze) and Gruene Botanicals (Turbo Glue) finishing neck and neck.

Rounding out the top ten was Errganix with Jokers Candy, a respectable finish in a crowded and competitive lineup. Finally, several entries earned honorable mention for their effort and presence in the field. Green Diamond, JK Distro, Reggie & Dro, Looper, and Dope Pros all contributed to the overall depth of the competition and helped make this year’s Blazed Texas Flower Challenge one of the most competitive to date.

When you step back and look at the full field, one thing is clear: the margin between placements was thin, the quality bar was high, and Texas growers were not just competitive, they were leading the charge.

A Texas Takeaway Two of the top three finishers were Texas growers, and that matters. It shows that craft cultivation here is not just catching up, it is competing nationally.

Clean grows, strong genetics, and real attention to detail are becoming the norm, not the exception. The Blazed Texas Flower Challenge proved one thing clearly: when the plant is judged honestly, Texas flower belongs in the conversation. And based on what I tasted, this is only the beginning.

GUMMY CHALLENGE UNDERWAY • ACCEPTING BRANDS NOW!