The California Cannabis Awards are back and officially opened its submission window on February 23, marking five years of what has become the state’s most visible, state sanctioned cannabis competition. Operators have until May 22 to submit their products, with Golden Bears set to be awarded live on July 18 at Cal Expo during the California State Fair.
Federal rescheduling conversations are heating up. Multi state operators are tightening their operations. California brands are navigating taxes, compliance pressure, price compression, and an increasingly competitive retail landscape.
At the same time, legacy operators are still here, still pushing quality, still proving that craft cannabis in California means something. And in the middle of that moment, the California Cannabis Awards hits its fifth anniversary.
For licensed California cannabis operators, this is a public validation moment inside one of the most historic institutions in the state.
The California State Fair has always reflected agriculture, innovation, and craftsmanship. Cannabis being fully integrated into that environment is no longer a novelty, it’s a signal.
A signal that normalization is happening.
California Cannabis Awards 2026 Information
Flower, concentrates, edibles, vape cartridges, and more will be judged across dozens of categories.
Medalists won’t just walk away with hardware. They’ll be featured throughout the California Cannabis Experience at the Fair, running July 17 through August 2.
That experience allows fairgoers 21 and over to learn about, purchase, and consume cannabis on site through retailer Embarc.
Five years ago, that level of integration would have sounded wild. Now it’s operational.
The awards ceremony itself takes place live on July 18, where best in show Golden Bear winners will be announced.
If you’ve never seen cannabis celebrated inside a state run venue with that level of structure and visibility, it’s worth understanding what this represents.
This is not underground.
This is not fringe.
This is normalized, regulated, evaluated cannabis excellence.
Tom Martinez, CEO of the California Exposition and State Fair, put it plainly, saying the Fair reflects industries shaping California’s agricultural economy, and that the Cannabis Awards recognize the same spirit of excellence found across the state’s diverse agricultural landscape.
That framing is important. Cannabis is agriculture. It always has been. But now it’s being judged with scientific rigor and formal evaluation standards.
- Every product submitted is analyzed by SC Labs.
- Judging is conducted by expert connoisseurs from Budist using a structured 100 point scale.
- Logistics are powered by retailer Embarc, alongside distributors Nabis and Redwood Roots.
This isn’t vibes based judging. This isn’t a popularity contest.
James Leitz, founder of Fair Play Ventures and producer of the California Cannabis Awards, made it clear this is about raising the bar for how cannabis is recognized. As federal policy conversations evolve, showcasing operators who are doing things responsibly and at a high level becomes even more critical.
California doesn’t need another hype contest. It needs frameworks that protect credibility. It needs competitions that highlight compliance, transparency, and real quality. If federal reform finally lands, California brands will be scrutinized nationally. Programs like this help establish what excellence actually looks like.
And 2026 brings something new.
For the first time, the California Cannabis Awards will include a Home Grow competition.
That means California residents cultivating cannabis for personal, non commercial use can be recognized for quality, consistency, and technical execution.
This addition was much needed considering cannabis culture has always been built on passionate growers refining their craft at home before ever entering licensed markets.
There’s also an expanded Consumers’ Choice Award, giving the public a more direct voice. Exposure matters in this environment. With margins tight and shelf space competitive, awards that connect directly to consumer sentiment can translate into real business impact.
Lauren Carpenter, CEO and Co-Founder of Embarc, emphasized that five years in, this competition proves cannabis can be evaluated rigorously, celebrated publicly, and integrated responsibly into one of California’s most iconic institutions.
And she’s right.
I’ve watched this industry evolve from fragmented pop ups and gray market hustle into structured retail, tested products, tax reporting, and consumer education.
The California Cannabis Awards sits right in this culture meets recreational cannabis transition zone. It’s not trying to erase culture. It’s trying to formalize excellence.
For brands considering entering, this is your moment to step up and put your products to the test with unbiased judges.
If you believe in your flower, your rosin, your edibles, your carts, this is a stage.
If you’re operating clean, compliant, and confident in your quality, you should want that evaluation.
California remains the most competitive cannabis market in the world and winning here means something more than most places.
At the same time, this competition serves a broader purpose. As national reform discussions accelerate, California continues to function as the blueprint. A state sanctioned contest inside a state institution, powered by licensed retailers, distributors, labs, and judges, shows how regulated cannabis can operate at scale while maintaining standards.
We talk a lot about survival in California. Taxes are high. Operators are consolidating. Retailers are cautious. But moments like this remind you that there’s still pride in the craft. There’s still infrastructure supporting quality. There’s still room for brands that do it right.
The submission window is open now and runs through May 22.
Golden Bears will be awarded live July 18 at Cal Expo during the California State Fair.
Medalists will be showcased throughout the Fair’s Cannabis Experience, giving operators both credibility and consumer exposure in one of the largest public venues in the state.
Five years into this competition, it’s not about proving cannabis belongs. That argument is over.
Now it’s about proving who’s doing it best.
If you’re a licensed California operator ready to compete, or a homegrower confident in your craft, this is your window.
Sponsors and partners looking to align with a program rooted in science, regulation, and public visibility should be paying attention too.
California built this industry. It’s still refining it.
At a time when federal reform could reshape everything, the California Cannabis Awards is reminding the country what regulated cannabis excellence actually looks like.
For submissions, sponsorships, and partnership information, visit CalCannabisAwards.com
