COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Some things really are as good as they sound: Stargazer Cannabis Festival wants to pay five randomly selected judges $1,000 each to smoke weed.

Stargazer Cannabis Festival organizer Chad Thompson is seeking applicants to judge the first Stargazer Cannabis Cup. Cannabis cups are competitions that pit different marijuana products against one another in different categories to find the best of the best. Thompson said the Stargazer Cup — Ohio’s first cannabis cup — is working a little differently.

“We’re opening this up to everyday people that are cannabis lovers,” Thompson said. “Traditionally you have to be an industry insider and have connections to become a cannabis cup judge, and we really want to open this up and have a broader appeal, and you know, no experience necessary.”

Applications open this week for judges, who will be selected by a random drawing. Judges were initially set to be paid $420, but Thompson said they wanted to really commit and raised the salary. Judges will also receive a curated judges’ kit full of cannabis products and free admission to the festival. 

Judges will sample products across multiple categories throughout the festival, an event in itself. Judges will award first place in each category, and then an overall best of show winner. The best of show champion will win the Stargazer Cannabis Cup and a $2,500 cash prize.

Competitors in the cup can apply online at $50 per entry. Thompson said cultivators have been able to grow for a little while, and he hopes Ohio’s emerging cannabis market brings elite competition.

“We’re really excited about what we’re going to find,” Thompson said. “And we’re also hoping that we can get some out of state entries as well, and kind of put Ohio growers and producers up against other states and really just have a very competitive cup.”

Stargazer is partnering with Big Cloud Presents for Ohio’s first-ever cannabis competition. Big Cloud is a big name in cannabis cups, planning five between June and September this year. In March, they hosted an organic marijuana cup in Barcelona, their third organic competition abroad.

“We are not really putting a lot of weight into the credentials. Last year, when we did our joint rolling judges, we really looked at having very credentialed judges,” Thompson said. “But this year, we’re looking to open it up. And that’s kind of the exciting thing about it is no experience necessary.”

Thompson and his team are hiring joint rolling judges once more at $100 per hour, a rate that brought in Snoop Dogg’s personal blunt roller Ranagade PerRana as a judge last year. That application is also available online, promising new hires will be “subject to having an amazing time.” PerRana will also return this year to lead a blunt rolling workshop. 

Thompson said the festival, which will take place in Waverly from July 25 to 27, is likely to sell out quickly. He encourages any potential competitors or weed enthusiasts to get their tickets now as to not miss out on events like rolling workshops or the giveaway dream cannabis wedding officiated by Afroman.

Applications opened Tuesday night for the dope experience. Anyone over the age of 21 is invited to apply.