The Cannabis Cup has weed bacon and creamsicles

Marijuana edibles have come a long way since the pre-legalization days of brownie experimentations. Nowhere is that more evident than at the U.S. Cannabis Cup, a three-day marijuana competition wrapping up in Denver on Monday.

Orange creamsicle pop? They have it. Medicated candied bacon? Yup. “Reef” jerky. Sure, why not.

The Bubba Kush Root Beer took first place, but it’s worth taking a moment to watch this slideshow (set to reggae music) of the top entrants in the edibles category.

Police arrest 53 people at London 420 event

While Cannabis Cup judges weighed the finer points of indicas and sativas in Denver, marijuana protesters faced possible arrest in London on Sunday.

An annual 420 celebration that drew an estimated 10,000 people to Hyde Park last year saw 53 arrests this time around.

According to the Daily Mail, “Thousands of campaigners were seen sitting on the grass openly smoking marijuana, comparing the size of their joints and listening to speakers while dozens of police officers hovered nearby.”

Cook County set reform marijuana laws

The second-largest county in the nation will no longer prosecute misdemeanor cannabis offenses, according to an announcement expected on Monday.

Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez will outline the changes at a morning press conference. She’s also expected to new alternatives to prosecution, meant to divert non-violent offenders away from the criminal justice system, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Chicago changed its policy in 2012, allowing officers to issue a $250-500 ticket for possession of up to 15 grams of weed. Chicago police have arrested 3,000 fewer people since then, issuing tickets instead, a spokesperson told the Tribune.

Ted Hesson was formerly the immigration editor at Fusion, covering the issue from Washington, D.C. He also writes about drug laws and (occasionally) baseball. On the side: guitars, urban biking, and fiction.