A unique bi-coastal cannabis contest has its official retail partners. The MJBowl is a collaboration between weed mega-conference MJBizCon and cutting-edge product rating platform Budist. Now in the mix are distribution partners Nabis and retailers The Artist Tree and Gotham.
The competition sees licensed cannabis brands in California and New York enter for a chance to be named Most Valuable Product. Categories include flower, concentrates, cartridges, pre-rolls, and edibles. The finalists from both states will be flown to Las Vegas for the annual MJBizCon, where each state’s winners will have the opportunity to shine during an awards ceremony on December 4th.
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But first, contest submissions will undergo a rigorous assessment process courtesy of expert Budist critics. The products will be distributed via Nabis, and judge kits will be assembled and given to judges at The Artist Tree (California) and Gotham (New York). The dispensaries will also play host to judge meet and greets, and provide amplification for winners post-event. Consumers will have the opportunity to judge the winning products for themselves in the ultimate people’s choice showdown.
The MJBowl is about recognition on a national stage by companies with genuine intent to see this industry respected on a global level,” explained Jocelyn Sheltraw, co-founder of Budist. “By spotlighting quality products and the producers behind them, we’re pushing the industry forward and keeping the focus where it belongs: on the consumer.”
In a press release sent to GreenState, representatives for the three newly announced partners expressed excitement about the opportunity to reach new audiences and raise the bar for the industry as a whole.
“What Budist and MJBiz are doing is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of craftsmanship in cannabis that aligns with The Artist Tree’s goal of elevating the cannabis experience,” said Lauren Fontein, co-founder of The Artist Tree.
Jesse Tolz, vice president of marketing at Gotham, shared Fontein’s sentiment.
“The MJBowl is a platform to celebrate the skill, vision, and community impact shaping this industry,” Tolz said in the release. “We are proud to champion the brands redefining what cannabis can be at the crossroads of culture and commerce.”
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Prospective contestants will have the chance to connect with contest organizers and judges at the first of two upcoming events:
- Revelry Buyer’s Club, taking place at Pier 36 NYC, on September 12 from 12-7 PM ET
- A special gathering at The Artist Tree in West Hollywood, CA, on September 16 from 6-9 PM PT
The submission period for the MJBowl closes on October 3rd. Brands that have questions about the contest are encouraged to attend one of the events above or reach out to organizers. Sheltraw noted that the collaboration between Budist, MJBiz, The Artist Tree, Gotham, and Nabis offers greater visibility for participants and the cannabis industry as a whole.
“It’s a step toward greater legitimacy for our industry and a chance to celebrate the plant that drives it all,” Sheltraw concluded.
