Today sees the launch of the inaugural Cannabiz Awards for Australia and New Zealand 2023.
The 20 awards will be judged by a panel of 36 jurors featuring some of the most senior figures in the industry.
Cannabiz co-founder and chief growth officer Martin Lane said: “Since Cannabiz launched in July 2020, it has always been our aim to highlight the legal cannabis industry’s success stories and opportunities for growth, and the awards are the latest step on that journey.
“Positioned to be the most prestigious in the industry, we’ve made them deliberately hard to win, with each category judged by a minimum of four jurors scoring independently against strict criteria.
“So if you or your employer take home a gong, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you really earned it.”
From the world of politics, jurors include Greens NSW MP Cate Faehrmann, Legalise Cannabis MPs Dr Brian Walker and Rachel Payne and Reason Party leader Fiona Patten.
Healthcare practitioners are represented by Society of Cannabis Clinicians Australian Chapter president Dr Joel Wren, GP Dr Matty Moore, physician Dr Karen Hitchcock and ANZ College of Cannabinoid Practitioners president Dr Orit Holtzman.
Joining the panel from overseas are cannabis entrepreneur Bruce Linton, MJBizDaily international editor Matt Lamers, Prohibition Partners co-founder and CEO Stephen Murphy and lawyer and host of The Cannabis Conversation podcast Anuj Desai.
Meanwhile, researchers include Lambert Initiative academic director Professor Iain McGregor, Southern Cross University clinical research fellow Dr Janet Schloss and Swinburne University of Technology research fellow Dr Thomas Arkell.
All three of Australia’s medicinal cannabis trade associations are represented, with MCIA chair Peter Crock, AMCA general manager Gail Wiseman and ETAA chair Guy Headley joining NZ Medicinal Cannabis Council executive director Sally King on the jury.
Industry consultants include former FreshLeaf Analytics MD Cassandra Hunt, Penington Institute global partnerships and engagement advisor Rhys Cohen, former Entoura GM Clare Barker, ex-Cannatrek head of research and development Emily Rigby and Holmes/Wilson director Patty Holmes.
Rounding out the jury are honahlee co-founder Tom Brown, award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist Helen Kapalos, Standard Botanic founder and CEO Adam Benjamin, secretary of the Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance Charles Kovess, Bod Science COO Craig Weller, Astrid Dispensary founder and CEO Lisa Nguyen, Omega Assets director and Health House International founder Paul Mavor, OnTracka founder and product CEO Chad Walkaden, BioTechNZ executive director Zahra Champion, Tasmanian Botanics CEO Dan Howard, Pharmalytics MD Dr Russell Kinghorn and Initiative chief strategy and product officer Chris Colter.
Sponsored by Tasmanian Botanics, Bod Science, Pharmalytics, Standard Botanic, Oz Medicann Group and CMI Safe Company, the awards are split into five categories – companies, individuals, industry leadership, healthcare and product.
Companies
Company of the year
Best place to work
Start-up company of the year
Medical science liaison team of the year
Individuals
Business leader of the year
Best industry newcomer
Prescribing healthcare practitioner of the year
Patient advocate of the year
Industry leadership
Cannabiz award for innovation
Environmental, social and governance award
Cannabiz award for industry advancement
Cannabiz award for industry collaboration
Healthcare
Clinic/telehealth service of the year
Dispensary/pharmacy of the year
Best education/engagement initiative
Best patient-focused initiative
Product
Cultivator/manufacturer of the year
Hemp product of the year
Product launch of the year
R&D project of the year
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.
Lane said: “We pride ourselves on the independence of our editorial coverage and the Cannabiz Awards will have the same high standards of integrity.
“While we are very grateful to the judges and our sponsors, their support will have no bearing on the final results.”
The first entry deadline is April 7, with the shortlist announced on May 4 and the awards presentation taking place on June 8 at a venue and city to be confirmed.
Lane explained: “We want to see where most entries come from before deciding on the location for the presentation ceremony. We understand budgets are tight, so we want to limit interstate travel as much as possible.
“But wherever it takes place, the Cannabiz Awards for Australia and New Zealand 2023 will be a night to remember.”
For more information and to enter, click here.
