EUREKA, Calif. — This year’s California State Fair is introducing its first-ever Cannabis Awards and MOCA Humboldt in Eureka took home awards in multiple categories.

“It’s not just a win, for us. I think it’s a win for our community and for our culture here in Humboldt,” MOCA Humboldt Vice President of Marketing and Sales Aaron Salles said. “We are lucky and blessed and humbled to have won more awards than any other entrant at the first ever California State Fair cannabis awards and competition.”

The MOCA Humboldt team took home six awards including two Best of California awards, three gold medals and one silver medal. The over 300 entries were judged by lab results on the chemical composition.

MOCA Humboldt CA State Fair award list.

Salles said the science-based aspect of the competition also lends to an “atmosphere of education.”

He emphasized that cannabis should be judged at the fair like any other agricultural accomplishment, in the same way that wine, honey and cheese get put on display for their merits.

In addition to the Cannabis Awards, the State Fair will introduce a 7,500-square feet exhibit celebrating the cannabis industry. Salles said it’s a significant moment for the industry in an effort to educate the public about cannabis.

“Getting more awareness about the plant and the nature of the plant, I think that’s the most important thing that we can do,” Salles said.

The California State Fair runs July 15-31 at Cal Expo in Sacramento.