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The Budist Judges for the 2025 California Cannabis Awards
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PRODUCT AWARD CATEGORIES
A pre-made joint that is ready for consumption. It consists of ground cannabis flower, wrapped in rolling paper, providing a convenient, ready-to-use option for consumers.
Concentrates, also known as extracts, are highly potent cannabis products made by extracting desirable compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant's trichomes. They come in various forms like waxes, shatter, budder, rosin, and oils and are commonly used for vaping, dabbing, or as an ingredient in edibles and tinctures.
A vape cartridge is a prefilled container of cannabis oil or distillate. It is designed to work in a vape system and typically contains concentrated cannabinoids and terpenes. The cartridge incorporates a heating element which vaporizes the oil, offering a convenient and portable way to consume via vaporization.
Edibles refer to any food containing cannabis, typically with the cannabinoids THC or CBD. Cannabis is usually infused into a fat-soluble base, such as oil or butter, and the infusion is used to make gummies, hard candies, chocolates, and baked goods. Edibles are a discreet, often longer-lasting consumption method.
Drinkable cannabis products are discreet and familiar. They use advanced techniques to make cannabinoids water-compatible for even dispersal in beverages. They come in various forms like sodas, coffees, non-alcoholic wines, seltzers, and beverage enhancers.
Health and wellness products infused with cannabis extracts. This includes ingestible and topical form factors designed to promote overall well-being and therapeutic benefits.
How to Enter the
Product Competition
Here's How
Fill out the entry form on the California Cannabis Awards website.
Once we receive it, we’ll send an invoice for the entry fee. Once that is paid, you’re ready to compete.
Each entry requires 10 units of shelf-ready product. All submissions will move through the licensed California supply chain as penny units in compliance with state regulations.
Distributor logistics are powered by our partners, Nabis and Redwood Roots, with drop-off locations in Oakland, Los Angeles, and Garberville, California. Product drop-off will officially open on 4/20/2026. All competition products must be received no later than May 22, 2026, the close of the competition submission window.
Before the 4/20 drop-off window opens, you will receive instructions, including manifest preparation and drop-off details, to ensure a smooth transfer.
Trophies and Medals
Each year, the California Cannabis Awards recognizes excellence across Flower and Product categories—honoring the growers, makers, and innovators shaping the Golden State.
Budist Evaluation Method
The Budist panel of judges is assigned to each Category and Product Type
based on qualifications and areas of expertise. Their role is to objectively
Assess the quality, craftsmanship, and overall performance of each
entry—determining whether the product delivers on its intended use case.
Judges follow a standardized 100-point evaluation methodology to ensure scoring
remains fair, consistent, and grounded in professional assessment.
Using the Budist 100-point rating scale
Using the Budist 100-point rating scale, each entry is evaluated across key attributes including Aroma, Flavor, Appearance, and Effect. Points are assigned based on factors such as complexity, intensity, balance, and efficacy, and the final score is the average of these totals.
Gold, Silver, and bronze medals (excluding Flower categories) and the Golden Bear Trophies are awarded to the highest-scoring entries within their respective categories, recognizing products that exemplify excellence in California cannabis.