A coast-to-coast cannabis competition recently crowned its inaugural winners, marking a significant moment in the world of regulated marijuana products. The MJBowl stands as the first nationwide contest recognizing marijuana excellence from the vibrant markets of both California and New York. Expert judges from the Budist platform assessed submissions across five distinct categories, employing a proprietary 100-point scale to select the victors.
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The winners were unveiled during last week’s MJBizCon event in Las Vegas, a major annual conference in the cannabis industry. The trophies for Most Valuable Products (MVP) went to an impressive lineup of brands:
California Winners
- Flower: Decibel Gardens – Roswell 47
- Pre-Rolls: Fire King – Fire King x Hogwash Farms Whitethorn Rose Hash Hole
- Vapes: Natural Gas – Papaya Solventless Rosin Bar by RAWsin
- Concentrates: Ay Papi – Sapphire Thumbprint
- Edibles: Ay Papi – Apple Pear Tajin Sour Peaches Single Origin Live Rosin Gummies
New York Winners
- Flower: Lit by the Lake – Pannacotta
- Pre-Rolls: Alibi – Dream Star / Nilla Wafer Combo Pack
- Vapes: Jetty – Papaya Smash Mini Tank All-in-One Vape
- Concentrates: New Roots Gardens – Bickett OG Live Rosin
- Edibles: PAX – Heirloom Peach Live Rosin Gummies
Finalists from each category were flown to Las Vegas to partake in the nation’s largest cannabis conference, where they awaited the announcement of their fates. For many participants, this was their first experience at MJBizCon, heightening the excitement of the competition.
“My heart is bursting right now,” shared Jocelyn Sheltraw, co-founder of Budist. “We’ve had so many brands come up and say, ‘This is my first time at MJBiz,’ or ‘This is my first time in Vegas,’ and ‘thank you for making us, as brands and farmers, feel welcome.’”
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The competition showcased a variety of craft operators, many of whom expressed both surprise and gratitude for their accomplishments. With a challenging market landscape, taking home awards offered a remarkable recognition.
“It’s a pivotal year for the industry, with all of the headwinds we’re facing,” remarked Marianne Cursetjee, CEO and co-founder of Alibi. “The recognition of small family craft farms on a national stage is incredibly important. I almost want to cry because we work so hard.”
The award-winning products from New York will soon be available at Gotham dispensaries, while California winners can be found at The Artist Tree. Additionally, consumers will have the chance to vote for their favorites in a secondary Consumers’ Choice competition.
For Sheltraw and the other MJBowl organizers, their mission transcends mere recognition; it’s about elevating deserving brands within this burgeoning market. “We aim to help the market and drive awareness for quality products. That’s really our goal,” concluded Sheltraw.
