Emerald Cup Competition

LAYTONVILLE, MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: A participant lights up a pipe loaded with marijuana at the Emerauld Cup on December 11, 2010 in Area 101 (name after nearby Highway 101), a new age center where the 7th annual Emerauld Cup is being held. The Oscars of the marijuana world, the Emerald Cup bestows honors on the best medecinal marijuana grown outside (indoor marijuana is not accepted) in the region known as the Emerald Triangle (Mendocino, Humbold and Trinity County), reputed to be the best in the world. 110 growers presented 136 strands, judged on four criterias: appearance, taste, aroma, and potency. A thousand participants attended the festival. Located about four hours north of San Francisco in deeply fotested areas, and bestowed with perfect growing conditions, the Emerald Triangle has become the marijuana capital of the U.S.. Made legal by the Compassionate Use Act, the Emerald Triangle's medecinal marijuana culture generates over 14 billion dollars annualy, about two third of the counties' revenue (photo Gilles Mingasson/Getty Images).