In a move poised to redefine how the cannabis industry recognizes quality and innovation, MJBizCon and Budist have launched The MJBowl, a groundbreaking bi-coastal cannabis product competition. This inaugural event aims to bridge the distinct markets of California and New York, establishing a standardized benchmark for product evaluation and celebrating excellence across the United States.
Uniting East and West: The Vision Behind The MJBowl
The cannabis industry, while rapidly growing, has historically operated within siloed regional markets. The MJBowl directly addresses this by creating a national-scale platform that pits licensed cannabis companies from the West Coast’s established California market against those from the emerging New York market. This competition is not merely about bragging rights; it represents a significant step towards national recognition for cannabis products and aims to set a new tradition for celebrating industry achievements. The initiative is a collaborative effort between MJBizCon, recognized as the world’s largest and most established cannabis business conference and expo, and Budist, the cannabis industry’s first professional review platform.
Expert Judging and Diverse Categories
At the heart of The MJBowl is a rigorous and standardized judging process led by Budist’s panel of esteemed critics. This panel comprises individuals with deep industry knowledge, including certified Ganjiers, seasoned competition judges, cannabis journalists, and influential industry tastemakers. They will employ Budist’s 100-point rating system and a standardized scoring rubric to ensure consistency and credibility in evaluating each entry. The competition spans five key categories, each with sub-types to capture the breadth of the market:
* Flower: Indoor, Outdoor, Greenhouse
* Pre-rolls: Infused, Non-infused
* Concentrates: Solvent, Solventless
* Edibles: Confections, Beverages
* Vapes: Solvent, Solventless
The competition window for entries commenced on August 14 and will close on October 3, 2025, with product intake scheduled from October 6 to October 17. The professional judging period will run from October 27 to November 21.
A Platform for Industry Events and Consumer Engagement
Winners of The MJBowl will be announced at a dedicated Awards Ceremony held during MJBizCon in Las Vegas on December 4, 2025, integrating seamlessly with the larger industry event. This provides a prominent stage for winners to gain widespread recognition. Beyond the expert-led judging, a crucial second phase of the competition is designed to involve consumers directly. Winning brands will be featured in consumer judging kits, allowing enthusiasts to sample and rate products through the Budist mobile application. This consumer-driven element aims to further democratize product evaluation and extend brand recognition beyond the professional arena.
Implications for the Cannabis Landscape
The launch of The MJBowl is particularly timely, coinciding with a growing demand for national-level standards and recognition within the evolving cannabis landscape. Emilie Lewis, Senior Vice President & MJBiz Brand Leader, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Together, we’re uniting East and West in a contest that will raise the bar—and set a new tradition for the industry.” Jocelyn Sheltraw, Co-Founder and CEO of Budist, added, “Our industry has been waiting for cannabis to be recognized and celebrated on a national level. This bi-coastal competition is a significant step in that direction, bridging siloed markets by spotlighting product excellence in each state.” The event is expected to generate significant news and interest, highlighting trending advancements in cannabis product quality and competition formats.
Licensed cannabis companies looking to participate have an early bird submission fee of $250 until August 31, after which the regular price of $300 applies. This initiative underscores the growing sophistication of cannabis events and the ongoing efforts to standardize and elevate product evaluation across the burgeoning industry.
