The Cannabiz Awards for Australia and New Zealand 2025 launch today, with just four weeks until the first entry deadline.
Last year, Tasmanian Botanics, Kind Medical and Biortica Agrimed were the big winners, taking home multiple trophies in front of a 400-strong crowd, with the awards ceremony selling out for the second year running.
And 2025 is likely to be equally competitive, with cannabis companies, healthcare providers, educators and industry advocates competing in 20 categories.
Following feedback from the judges, R&D Project of the Year has been folded into the Cannabiz Award for Industry Advancement while Start-up Company and Product Launch of the Year have been combined.
The first entry deadline is March 7, with the shortlist announced on April 10 and the awards presentation taking place at the Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne on May 22.
Judging will once again take place in two stages, with the jurors reviewing the entries in the categories they are allocated and selecting a shortlist in stage one.
In the second stage, each jury will meet on a video call to discuss the shortlist before independently casting their votes for the winner.
While voting will remain confidential and independent, the approach enables the judges to share knowledge and discuss issues such as regulatory compliance before making their choice.
To ensure the integrity of the program, jurors will not vote in categories where they have a direct interest or where there is another conflict.
New to this year’s judging panel are Humacology CEO James Dale, global healthcare/cannabis consultant and author of Cannabis Queens Melanie Wentzel, former Vitura Health CEO Rodney Cocks, Griffith University lecturer in communication Hannah Adler and FoliuMed founder and CEO Oliver Zugel.
They join Greens NSW MP Cate Faehrmann, Legalise Cannabis WA MP Dr Brian Walker and Legalise Cannabis Party federal senate candidate Fiona Patten from the world of politics, while healthcare practitioners are represented by Cannabis Clinicians Australia president Dr Joel Wren, GP Dr Matty Moore and ANZ College of Cannabinoid Practitioners president Dr Orit Holtzman.
Joining from overseas are SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals CEO Michael Sassano, Prohibition Partners co-founder and CEO Stephen Murphy and global cannabis industry consultant Deepak Anand.
Meanwhile, Southern Cross University clinical research fellow Dr Janet Schloss and deputy academic director at the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics Professor Jonathon Arnold join Hannah Adler from the world of academia.
Industry bodies are represented by MCIA executive officer Patty Holmes, AMCA general manager Gail Wiseman, Australian Cannabis Cultivators chair Emily Rigby, NZ Medicinal Cannabis Council executive director Sally King and Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance president Charles Kovess.
Consultants include Cassandra Hunt, Rhys Cohen, Clare Barker and Ben Quirin, while rounding out the jury are honahlee co-founder Tom Brown, award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist Helen Kapalos, Astrid Dispensary founder and CEO Lisa Nguyen, Omega Assets director and Health House International founder Paul Mavor, OnTracka founder and product CEO Chad Walkaden, Pharmalytics founder and MD Dr Russell Kinghorn and Cannabiz co-founder Kim McKay.
Sponsored by Humacology, The Thailand Cannabis Group, CMI Safe Company, Oz Medicann Group, MedTEC Pharma and MCC Labels, with support from Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia, the Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association and Cannabis Council Australia, the 20 awards will be presented in the following categories:
Hemp Product of the Year
Cannabiz Award for Innovation
Best Use of Technology
Best Education/Engagement Initiative
Clinic of the Year
Dispensary/Pharmacy of the Year
Best Patient-Focused Initiative
Environmental, Social and Governance Award
Start-up/Launch of the Year
Cultivator of the Year
Manufacturer of the Year
Best Place to Work
Best Industry Newcomer
Prescribing Healthcare Practitioner of the Year
Nurse of the Year
Cannabiz Award for Industry Collaboration
Cannabiz Award for Industry Advancement
Medical Science Liaison Team of the Year
Business Leader of the Year
Company of the Year
Cannabiz co-founder Martin Lane said: “We’re really excited to welcome our new jurors this year, who will bring different perspectives and a wealth of experience to the judging panel.
“We pride ourselves on the independence of our editorial coverage and the Cannabiz Awards have the same high standards of integrity.
“No jury member will judge a category where they have a commercial or other conflict of interest and, while we are very grateful to them and our sponsors, their support has no bearing on the final results.”
Sam Saunders, chief creation officer at Cannabiz Awards 2025 headline partner Humacology, added: “As an industry, it’s always great to come together and catch up with old friends and meet new ones. More than that, the Cannabiz Awards shine a light on worthy recipients whose work we might not have had the chance to know about yet.
“They inspire and motivate us all to work harder, collaborate more as an industry, and, yes, incite jealousy that only makes us hungrier to be better, to create better and grab a coveted award next year.
“It’s truly our honour at Humacology as the headline sponsor to support the Cannabiz Awards 2025 and to help them grow, inspire and motivate us all.”
For more information about the Cannabiz Awards for Australia and New Zealand 2025 and to enter, click here.
