The High Times Cannabis Cup is a festival held in Amsterdam every November. The festival has roots in Illinois because cannabis rights activist Steven Hager was born in Champaign-Urban and founded the festival in 1988. He eventually became editor of High Times magazine and changed the direction of the publication to focus on marijuana, not other drugs.
In 2010, the Cannabis Cup floated over to the United States thanks to the legalization of the product in California, Seattle, Denver and Michigan. This is the third year for Illinois to partake in the party and festivities.