For five years, the California Cannabis Awards has honored the growers, makers, innovators, and visionaries shaping the Golden State’s cannabis culture. From legacy farm to emerging brands, we celebrate the passion, craftsmanship, and creativity that define California’s place at the forefront of the industry.
Join us as we recognize excellence, elevate voices, & spotlight the people raising the bar—year after year.
Powered by partners who believe in excellence, innovation, and the future of cannabis.
THE CALIFORNIACANNABIS AWARDS
Welcome to the California Cannabis Awards—the first officially state-sanctioned cannabis competition in the United States.
Proudly featured alongside the California State Fair’s renowned wine, cheese, olive oil, and craft beer contests, these awards recognize excellence across the California cannabis industry. Rooted in craft, culture, agricultural heritage, and innovation, the Awards continue to elevate the conversation around cannabis.
The celebration culminates at the California Cannabis Experience during the Fair: a 17-day immersive showcase featuring award-winning products, on-site sales and consumption, educational exhibits, expert speakers, and a vibrant cultural experience designed to inform, inspire, and connect.
Entries are evaluated across both Flower and Product categories, with Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals awarded to top-performing submissions in each class. From there, one standout entry in each category earns the coveted Golden Bear Trophy—recognizing Best in Show and representing the highest honor of the California State Cannabis Awards.
The California Cannabis Experience is a 17-day immersive educational exhibit and cultural showcase hosted during the California State Fair. Designed to inform, inspire, and connect, the Experience brings together award-winning cannabis brands, industry experts, and curious consumers in one dynamic space.
Guests can explore interactive exhibits, attend educational sessions led by knowledgeable speakers, meet licensed cannabis vendors, shop for regulated products, and learn about cultivation, innovation, and responsible use. The Experience also offers designated consumption areas, creating a safe and welcoming environment for adults 21+ to engage with cannabis culture while discovering the people and products shaping California’s industry.
From education to celebration, the California Cannabis Experience offers a unique opportunity to experience cannabis in a thoughtful, engaging, and community-driven setting.
From the Awards stage to the Cannabis Experience, sponsorship connects your brand with California’s cannabis community in meaningful ways. Build relationships, gain visibility, and support a movement rooted in education, innovation, and culture.
Sponsorship opportunities offer impactful visibility by placing your brand at the center of one of the most influential cannabis platforms in the country.
“Since welcoming cannabis to the Fair, we’ve witnessed firsthand the pride and dedication of California’s cannabis cultivators, who are crafting some of the best products, not just in the state, but in the entire industry.”
TOM MARTINEZ
CEO OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR
“This is about raising the bar for how cannabis is recognized. At a time when federal policy may finally reflect what the public already knows, it’s critical that we showcase operators who are doing it right — responsibly and at the highest level.”
James Leitz
Founder Fair Play Ventures / Producer CCA
“Five years in, this competition proves that cannabis can be evaluated with rigor, celebrated publicly, and integrated responsibly into one of the state’s most iconic institutions. As the national conversation evolves, this is a testament to the role cannabis can play in events and celebrations.”
Lauren Carpenter
CEO and co-founder of Embarc
“We enjoy the science-based lab testing involved with this competition and are thrilled to be a part of the iconic CA State Fair.”
Aaron Salles
Vice President of Marketing and Sales at MOCA Humboldt.
“The competition is a great opportunity for California cannabis companies to showcase their hard work, creativity, and perseverance in a groundbreaking industry.”
