California Cannabis Awards 2026 Opens Submission Window for Its Fifth Edition

SACRAMENTO – Organizers of the California Cannabis Awards have announced they are accepting entries for the 2026 competition. This will be the 5th edition of the state-sanctioned program that recognizes quality across licensed Cannabis products, and now it includes a new category for home growers.

The submission period runs from February 23 through May 22, according to the official press release. Licensed California operators can enter products in categories that cover flower varieties (sun grown, mixed light, and indoor) along with cartridges, edibles, concentrates, beverages, pre-rolls, and wellness items. A separate homegrow division is open to state residents who cultivate Cannabis for personal, non-commercial use.

Medal winners receive gold, silver or bronze recognition based on laboratory analysis from SC Labs and scoring by expert judges from Budist on a 100-point scale. Best-in-show Golden Bear trophies will be presented live on July 18 at Cal Expo during the California State Fair, which runs July 17 through August 2. Medalists will appear in the on-site California Cannabis Experience, where adults 21-plus can view, purchase and consume products through retailer Embarc. An expanded consumers’ choice component gives the public a direct voice in the results.

The addition of the homegrow category brings individual cultivators into the same judging framework used for commercial entries, creating a bridge between hobbyist and professional standards. This structure reflects the state’s agricultural roots while addressing the full spectrum of Cannabis activity under regulated conditions. The homegrow winner is scheduled for announcement on July 25.

The program, produced in partnership with Fair Play Ventures and supported by distributors Nabis and Redwood Roots, operates under the California Exposition and State Fair. “The California State Fair exists to reflect the industries that shape California’s agricultural economy,” Tom Martinez, CEO of the California Exposition & State Fair, said in the release. James Leitz of Fair Play Ventures added that the contest focuses on operators who meet high standards of responsibility and quality.

California remains the largest legal Cannabis market in the United States. January 2026 taxable sales reached $321 million, according to Headset data, though the regulated sector accounts for roughly 40% of total consumption statewide, with the balance supplied by unlicensed sources. Cumulative legal sales since 2020 exceed $28 billion, yet operators face ongoing price pressure from oversupply and tax structures that include a 15% excise rate following recent adjustments. In this setting, competitions that apply consistent testing and expert evaluation provide a measurable way to highlight compliant products and build consumer trust.

Photo courtesy of calcannabisawards.com