DANK POET DISPENSARY – Poetry Contest 2026

This is a poetry contest hosted by Dank Poet Dispensary, built for writers who take craft seriously and want their work read by experienced judges. The panel includes published poets and educators, plus cannabis industry professionals with literary experience.

The contest centers on one theme and one goal: use poetry to say something real, and then bring that work into the community through a finalist reading event that happens in person.

Why is the theme “Kindness, Chosen” worth writing about?

Because kindness is not just a mood. It’s a decision.

“Kindness, Chosen” invites poets to explore how compassion shows up when it’s hardest—and why it matters. It treats kindness as strength, not weakness.

You might write about:

• Choosing grace in moments of conflict
• Kindness as courage, restraint, or repair
• Quiet acts that ripple outward
• Self-kindness as survival or transformation
• Finding humanity where it’s least expected
• Kindness as rebellion or resistance

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to write about hope without sounding cheesy,” this theme gives you room to do it with honesty.

When are submissions due, and what happens after you enter?

Here’s the timeline in one place:

Tip: Don’t wait until the last day. Give yourself time to format your PDF and double-check the rules.

How do you submit your poems?

Submission is simple. Just follow the format exactly.

What to send

• One single PDF file
• Up to 3 poems inside that PDF
• Each poem must have a title
• Each poem must be 50 lines or fewer (title not included)

Where to send it

• Email your PDF to: [email protected]

Important detail about anonymous judging

Entries are judged anonymously, so:

• Do not include your name on the poems themselves.

If you’re unsure about anything, the organizers invite questions by email:

• [email protected]

Who can enter the Poetry Contest (eligibility)?

To enter, you must meet all of the following:

• You are age 21 or older at the time of entering
• You have had at least one poem published in a journal (online or print), or you have a notice of publication before April 6, 2026
• If selected as a finalist, you must be able to attend the event on April 26, 2026, at Dank Poet Dispensary
• You are not a current employee of Dank Poet Dispensary, and you are not an employee’s family member

What are the Poetry Contest rules you must follow?

This contest has clear rules, and it’s worth reading them carefully before you hit “send.” Here are the big ones people miss:

Your poem must be original and written by you

• Original work only
• AI-generated poems are not allowed
• If you use found text, erasure, or other non-traditional methods, you must credit the source text(s) at the end of each poem

You can’t edit after submitting

• No changes are allowed once your poems are entered

Your poem must not be published or posted publicly

Before April 6, 2026, your entry must not have been:

• published (including self-published),
• posted on a website,
• shared on social media,
• broadcast,
• or featured as a winner in another competition.

Language requirements matter

• Poems must be written in English
• Non-English words are okay, but you must include a footnote with a definition

Judges’ decisions are final

• Judges read all entries
• Their decision is final
• The organizers and judges won’t enter into correspondence about decisions

What prizes can you win in this Poetry Contest?

There will be one winner and 10 finalists total.

Winner’s prizes

The winner receives:

• $150 cash prize
• The winning poem will be published on the website and displayed at the Dank Poet Dispensary location
• A Dank Poet Dispensary-branded merch prize pack
• A 25% discount for a future purchase at Dank Poet Dispensary
• A prize pack of products from select cannabis vendors
  • Note: Due to state requirements, cannabis products cannot be given for free, so a $1 nominal charge must be collected for prizes

Runner-up prizes

Runner-ups:

• Will have their poems published on the Dank Poet Dispensary website
• Will receive a 15% discount on a future visit
• Will receive select items from vendors
  • Note: The same $1 nominal charge may apply to vendor prize items due to state requirements

What happens at the final event on April 26, 2026?

If you’re selected as a finalist, you’ll be invited to a special event on:

• Sunday, April 26, 2026
• Location: Dank Poet Dispensary, Washington, NJ 07882

What finalists should expect

• The 10 finalists read their poem(s) at the event
• The readings are intended for broadcast in-store and an online stream
• Finalists will be expected to provide:
  • a short biography
  • An author’s photograph
• The winner is announced at this event

If you’re the kind of writer who wants your work heard out loud, this is the moment.

What about copyright and publishing rights?

You keep the copyright to your poem.

However, by entering, authors of winning poems grant Dank Poet Dispensary the right in perpetuity to publish and/or broadcast the poem. If your poem is used elsewhere later, you’re asked to provide credit to Dank Poet Dispensary.

How can you make your submission stronger without overthinking it?

A few practical ideas (that don’t change your voice):

1. Stay close to the theme. Ask yourself: Where is kindness chosen in my poem?
2. Keep it readable out loud. Finalists will read live, so test your lines by speaking them.
3. Follow the format perfectly. Most disqualifications happen because of avoidable rule breaks.
4. Don’t include your name on the poem pages. Anonymous judging is strict for a reason.

If you’re ready, send your PDF to [email protected] by April 6, 2026.

Quick checklist before you hit send

• I’m 21+
• I’ve had at least one poem published (or notice of publication) before 4/6/2026
• My poems are original and not AI-generated
• My PDF includes no more than 3 poems
• Each poem is 50 lines or fewer (excluding title)
• My name does not appear in the poems
• My poems have not been published or posted publicly before 4/6/2026
• I’m able to attend 4/26/2026 if selected

FAQs: Quick answers before you enter

1. How do I enter the Poetry Contest?

Email your poems as one single PDF to [email protected] by April 6, 2026.

2. How many poems can I submit?

You can submit up to 3 poems, all inside a single PDF.

3. Is there a fee to enter this Poetry Contest?

No. There is no submission fee.

4. Can I submit a published poem to this Poetry Contest?

No. Your poems must not have been published, posted online, or shared on social media before April 6, 2026.

5. When is the Poetry Contest reading and winner announcement?

Finalists read on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Dank Poet Dispensary, and the winner is announced at the event.

Sources

1. More details and submit your poems: click here