The Cannabiz Awards for Australia and New Zealand 2026 launch today, with three new categories and a host of industry leaders joining the judging panel for the first time.
Tasmanian Botanics was the big winner last year, taking home the Manufacturer, Company and Business Leader of the Year trophies in front of an audience of more than 400 cannabis industry peers.
And this year’s ceremony promises to be the biggest yet, taking place in Melbourne on August 11 during the week of the ACannabis conference.
For the first time, nominations are invited for Best Use of Data, Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year and Campaigner of the Year ahead of the first entry deadline (Friday, May 22).
Judging will 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 of four will meet on a video call to discuss the shortlist before independently casting their votes for the winners.
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 Medicinal Cannabis Council Australia interim joint chairs Kristin Viccars and Dr Teresa Nicoletti, Cannabis Council Australia CEO Lisa Penlington, Wholelife Botanicals chief medical officer Dr Tal Bull, CMI vault specialist Joe Davis, Releaf Clinics head doctor Dr Priya Ayyar, nurse practitioner Lisa Dick, New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council independent chair Carmen Doran, Puro co-founder and chief development officer Tom Forrest, Mar Verde Consulting founder Cate Hall, former Tasmanian Botanics CEO Dan Howard, EQWELLIBRIYUM co-founder and CEO Lisa Varley and Nativa Education & Consulting founder Liz Warburton.
They join previous jurors Dr Hannah Adler, Deepak Anand, Professor Jonathon Arnold, Clare Barker, Tom Brown, Rodney Cocks, Rhys Cohen, Patty Holmes, Dr Orit Holtzman, Cassandra Hunt, Helen Kapalos, Sally King, Dr Russell Kinghorn, Charles Kovess, Paul Mavor, Stephen Murphy, Fiona Patten, Michael Sassano, Associate Professor Janet Schloss, Chad Walkaden, Melanie Wentzel and Dr Joel Wren to make up the largest jury panel in Cannabiz Awards history.
Sponsored by Wholelife Botanicals, the Australian Cannabis Group, CMI Safe Company, Inter-World Shipping, Medibis and Nativa Education & Consulting, with support from Medicinal Cannabis Council Australia 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
Best Use of Data
Start-up/Launch of the Year
Cultivator of the Year
Manufacturer of the Year
Wholesaler/distributor 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
Campaigner of the Year
Business Leader of the Year
Company of the Year
Cannabiz co-founder and chief growth officer Martin Lane said: “We’re delighted to welcome our new jurors this year, who will bring different perspectives, independence, and a wealth of experience to the judging panel.
“We’re also really excited to be launching three new award categories, and to be presenting the winners with their trophies during one of the biggest weeks in the industry calendar.
“At a time when the sector is under scrutiny like never before, it’s vital we put our best foot forward, highlighting the amazing work so many do on behalf of patients and the wider community.”
For more information about the Cannabiz Awards for Australia and New Zealand 2026 and to enter, click here.
And the reason no MSL team of the year? In a medical framework environment exists, surely this is a mistake?
Hi Brendan
Following feedback from the judges, we’ve folded MSL Team of the Year into Best Education/Engagement Initiative this year, partly to make the category more competitive but also because it’s a good fit. You can review the criteria on page five of the entry guidelines. Good luck with your entries this year!
All the best
Martin