MJBizCon has long been called the “Super Bowl of Cannabis,” and in 2025 that nickname takes on new life. Partnering with Budist, the trusted name in cannabis product reviews, events, and competitions, MJBizCon is launching the inaugural MJBowl—a high-stakes contest built to spotlight excellence across the industry.
Set to debut in Las Vegas on December 4, 2025, the MJBowl will celebrate the best licensed cannabis products from California and New York. With a structured judging process, nationally recognized rating standards, and an awards ceremony on the world’s biggest cannabis stage, this event is shaping up to be one of the most important competitions the industry has ever seen.
How the Competition Works
The MJBowl is structured like a championship. Brands from California or New York can enter products across five major categories and eleven subcategories.
- Flower (Indoor, Outdoor, Mixed Light)
- Pre-Rolls (Infused, Non-Infused)
- Vapes (Solvent, Solventless)
- Concentrates (Solvent, Solventless)
- Edibles (Treats, Beverages)
(Note: “Treats” includes gummies, chocolates, baked goods, and savory items, but excludes tablets, capsules, tinctures, and sublinguals.)
Each brand may submit only one product per subcategory, up to 11 entries total. This rule ensures a level playing field and encourages companies to put their very best products forward.
Entries will first be judged within their subcategories. The winners will be crowned Most Valuable Products (MVPs). Those MVPs then go head-to-head for the MJBowl Trophy, awarded to the top product in each major category.
Competition Registration
- Cost per product entry:
- Early Bird Price: $250 (thru Aug 31)
- Regular Price: $300 (Sep 1 thru Oct 3)
- There is a limit of one (1) entry per subcategory
- The entry window runs from Aug 14 thru Oct 3
- Start by completing the Budist Registration Form
The Judging System
What makes the MJBowl different is its commitment to fairness, transparency, and professional evaluation.
Budist employs a panel of cannabis connoisseurs and subject matter experts, including certified Ganjiers, professional critics, cannabis journalists, and tastemakers who live and breathe cannabis culture.
Judges reside in California or New York, giving them deep ties to the communities and products they’re evaluating.
To maintain consistency, Budist uses a standardized 100-point rating system modeled after internationally respected scoring systems in wine, craft beer, chocolate, and coffee.
The breakdown looks like this:
- 96–100: Best in Class (top five products in category)
- 90–95: Outstanding (superior character and style)
- 85–89: Very Good (notable quality and benefits)
- 80–84: Good (solid quality, just meets expectations)
- 75–79: Average (decent but with flaws)
- 70–74: Below Average (poor quality with significant flaws)
Products are rated across four primary factors:
- Aroma – intensity, complexity, and appeal of scent
- Appearance – visual quality, freshness, and condition
- Flavor – depth, complexity, and enjoyability of taste
- Experience – effects, smokability, and overall enjoyment
Each factor is weighted differently depending on the product type. For example, flower may emphasize aroma and appearance, while edibles lean more heavily on flavor and experience.
This system ensures every entry is judged with rigor and consistency, creating results that are both credible and respected.
Timeline & Key Dates
- Entry Window: August 14 – October 3, 2025
- Eligibility: Licensed cannabis brands in California and New York
- Award Ceremony: December 4, 2025 at MJBizCon, Las Vegas
Winners won’t just be recognized at the awards show—they’ll also benefit from post-event media coverage, retail promotions, and features on the Budist platform.
Why the MJBowl Matters
The cannabis industry is flooded with competitions, but few carry the prestige of MJBizCon or the structured credibility of Budist’s rating system. The MJBowl combines both.
For brands, this competition offers more than bragging rights:
- Credibility at Scale – Winning at MJBizCon means validation in front of the most important retailers, investors, and media in cannabis.
- Retail Influence – An MVP title or MJBowl Trophy can open doors to better shelf placement and increased consumer trust.
- Cultural Impact – Recognition at the MJBowl places products in the spotlight, driving conversation well beyond the expo floor.
For the industry, the MJBowl sets a new benchmark. It ensures a cannabis competition that doesn’t just celebrate popularity—they reward excellence with measurable standards.
The Road to Las Vegas
From the moment entries open on August 14, brands will have a chance to throw their best products into the ring. After evaluation by Budist’s expert panel, MVPs will emerge across all eleven subcategories.
On December 4, 2025, in Las Vegas, the winners will take the stage at MJBizCon. These first-ever MJBowl champions will not just take home trophies—they’ll cement their place in cannabis history.
The MJBowl is a new standard for cannabis recognition, built on the credibility of Budist’s judging system and the global reach of MJBizCon.
By combining rigorous evaluation with the industry’s biggest stage, the MJBowl is poised to become an annual tradition that brands, retailers, and consumers look to as the ultimate measure of cannabis excellence.
When the lights shine in Las Vegas this December, the industry won’t just be watching a contest—they’ll be witnessing the beginning of a new legacy.
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If you’re a cannabis company operating in New York or California and want to compete, click the link here and reach out to the Budist team to get locked in.
