The top nominees at the 2019 Oscars won’t all go home with awards, but they won’t go home empty-handed either. The honorees receive lavish six-figure Oscar goody bags, complete with cannabis-friendly products.
The 91st Academy Awards will be held this Sunday, February 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The annual event honors the best actors, producers, directors, and technicians in the film industry. All 25 nominees in the acting and directing categories — which include awards for best actor and actress in leading and in supporting roles — will receive the gifts in the week leading up to the event.
This year’s Oscar goody bags feature goodies from Coda Signature. The company produces a line of bath balms, salves, oils, and artisan chocolates. The colorful, handmade chocolates are made from ethically sourced cacao and are typically infused with 10 milligrams of THC. Coda’s Crescendo and Forte collections come with six truffles in three different flavors — burnt caramel, earl grey, and juniper lemon.
However, according to a statement from the company, because cannabis products cannot be shipped across state lines,, these chocolates won’t contain THC.
Swag bags will also include skincare products from High Beauty, according to a CNBC report. The company makes a line of certified organic facial oils and moisturizers. Products are made with cannabis sativa seed extract and contain no THC.
This year’s nominees will also receive a week-long stay at Golden Door Spa, an Amazon cruise, and a Mister Poop emoji toilet plunger, among other items, according to CNBC.
The legendary Oscar goody bags are just as famous as the gold-plated bronze sculptures. Each bag is valued at over $100,000, and are full of luxury freebies. Previous gifts have included international vacations, spa retreats, designer jewelry, vampire breast lifts, and even vibrators.
Last year’s gift bag included a 12-day vacation for two to Tanzania, a year’s supply of skin and hair products, and a donation of Halo pet supplies/meals valued at $8,000 to the celebrity’s shelter or rescue of choice.
Bags are provided by Direct Assets, a marketing company with no affiliation to the Oscars. While the actual value of Oscar goody bags is not disclosed, the company ensures it contains six-figures worth of gifts. Previous bags — like those given at the 2016 Oscars — were reported to be valued at upwards of $230,000.
Companies donate the items included in the bags. Brands are known to pay an average of $4,000 in order to have their products featured in the annual giveaway. Direct Asset’s founder, Lash Fary, told Forbes in 2016 that the gifts are not part of a philanthropic effort. Rather, “We are gifting them for the same reason that they are paid upwards of $20 million for a single film…because their personal brand has value as a commodity.”
The Oscars — otherwise known as the Academy Awards — is put on by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). This year’s nominations for best movie include Bohemian Rhapsody, A Star is Born, Roma, and Green Book. This year’s honorees include Melissa McCarthy, Yalitza Aparicio, Mahershala Ali, and Rami Malek, among others.