The search is on for the next class of Grass Ceiling honorees.
Nominations are officially open for the 2026 Grass Ceiling Honors: a national recognition program celebrating women and nonbinary leaders who are making a memorable imprint on the legal cannabis industry through leadership, advocacy, education, and community impact.
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Created by Cann Studio in partnership with GreenState, the annual honors recognize five individuals (one from each U.S. region) who are helping move the industry forward while creating opportunities for others. Winners will be celebrated during Blunt Brunch Nationals on December 1 in Las Vegas as part of MJBizCon’s Cannabis Week.
In addition to receiving a free pass to MJBizCon and a one-year Blunt Brunch membership, honorees will also gain access to professional growth opportunities specifically curated to help elevate their work. This includes one-on-one marketing support from CannStudio, earned media opportunities through the program’s partners, promotional features, and additional resources to expand their reach and visibility across the cannabis industry.
Last year’s Grass Ceiling Honors recognized Jamie Jorgenstone of Calyx CPA (Northwest), Mskindness B. Ramirez of Club Kindness (Southwest), Jen Reise of North Star Cannabis Consulting (Midwest), Steph Sherer of Americans for Safe Access (Northeast), and Zoe Wilder of Zoe Wilder Public Relations (South).
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The program has also recognized influential cannabis leaders like Dr. Roz McCarthy, founder of Minorities for Medical Marijuana. Cann Studio recently featured McCarthy in the Special Accolade series, highlighting her decades of advocacy, entrepreneurship, and commitment to expanding opportunity across the cannabis space. Her story mirrors the mission behind the Grass Ceiling Honors: recognizing leaders who are creating meaningful change while helping others rise with them.
Nominations are open through October 15, 2026. Anyone may submit a nomination, including self-nominations. Eligible nominees must be at least 21 years old, identify as women or nonbinary, reside in the United States, and work, advocate, or create within the legal cannabis industry.