The country’s first state-sanctioned cannabis competition is back—and organizers say this year could be its most consequential yet. The California Cannabis Awards (CCA) opened its 2026 submission window this week, as federal cannabis reform efforts continue to gain momentum.
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Now in its fifth year, the CCA recognizes cannabis flower and finished goods. The competition culminates in an awards show and public exhibit at the California Cannabis Experience inside the California State Fair in Sacramento. In 2024, the Experience made history with the addition of on-site licensed cannabis sales and consumption courtesy of dispensary chain Embarc. The following year, organizers expanded the space to 50,000 square feet, making it one of the fair’s largest attractions.
Flower entries undergo a lab analysis from SC Labs. The highest testing receives medals and advances to a panel of Budist judges. The panel evaluates each product using a proprietary 100-point scale and selects the best-in-show Golden Bear.
Finished goods, including edibles and vape cartridges, bypass the competition lab analysis but must include a Certificate of Analysis to verify compliance with state standards.
According to a press release, new for 2026 is a Home Grow Competition honoring hobbyist cannabis cultivators. The competition allows individual growers to compete for recognition at the State Fair, further integrating cannabis into a mainstream public venue.
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The competition comes amid evolving conversations about cannabis policy across the country. James Leitz, founder of Fair Play Ventures and producer of the CCA, told GreenState in an email that he sees the event as a model for communities considering public-facing cannabis exhibits.
“As reform discussions accelerate nationwide, successful integration becomes the real test,” Leitz said. “The California Cannabis Awards demonstrate that cannabis can operate within established institutions while maintaining rigorous standards.”
The submission window is open through May 22. Medalists will be announced in late June. Golden Bears will be awarded on July 18 at the California State Fair, with the Home Grow winner announced on July 25.
As cannabis becomes more widely accepted in California, it continues to appear in mainstream venues—including the state fair. California is the first state to integrate licensed cannabis sales and competition into a state fair setting, a model other states may watch as legalization expands.
