I've had a lot of Cali ganja, even though I'm in the mitten state.
Every two weeks, a dealer who went to school with one of my best friends would get a package from a cousin who was a trimmer in Cali. That shit would sell so fast, $55-60 an eight with no discounts, most one could buy was a half.
This was pre-med days, and otherwise you were paying $100 an ounce for Canadian bud if you were lucky, or Mexico brick if you weren't in Detroit.
I got to smoke tons of great cannabis and looking back, it certainly wasn't compromised (bricked, shaked or otherwise abused).
Now with medical straight in this state, everything is just as good as Cali. Genetics are easy to get within other states, people are more open about cannabis, and trade is easier than ever.
At the end of the day, if you can grow a tomato plant, you can grow cannabis. Genetics are what make killer ganja, and a decent grower can accomplish the task. Anyone anywhere can grow awesome cannabis.