It is our mission to highlight the legal cannabis industry’s success stories, so we established the Cannabiz Awards for Australia and New Zealand to recognise and reward the best in the business.

Each category is judged by some of the most respected people in the industry in a rigorous, two-stage process, so if you or your employer take home a gong, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you really earned it. Held in August, the presentation ceremony will celebrate a sector which is changing lives.

CHECK OUT THE 2026 WINNERS

Best Education/Engagement Initiative

Hemp Product of the Year

Cultivator of the Year

Start-Up/Launch of the Year

Best Use of Technology

Nurse of the Year

Best Place to Work

Prescribing Healthcare Practitioner of the Year

Clinic of the Year

Dispensary/Pharmacy of the Year

Campaigner of the Year

Cannabiz Award for Industry Collaboration

Manufacturer of the Year

Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year

Best Use of Data

Cannabiz Award for Innovation

Business Leader of the Year

Company of the Year

2026 WINNERS GALLERY

Best Education/Engagement Initiative - The Duty of Care Education Series by Medical Cannabis Australia

Cultivator of the Year - Puro New Zealand

Start-up/Launch of the Year - Golden Days Cultivators

Best Use of Technology - Immediate Doctor Consultations by Alternaleaf

Nurse of the Year - Deb Ranson, The New Clinic

Prescribing Healthcare Practitioner of the Year - Dr John Teh, PlantMed

Dispensary/Pharmacy of the Year - GreenEase

Campaigner of the Year - Sally King, New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council (collected by NZMCC chair Carmen Doran)

Cannabiz Award for Industry Collaboration - Kristin Viccars, Dr Teresa Nicoletti and the inaugural Medicinal Cannabis Council Australia board

Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year - Leafio

Best Use of Data - CANN-RELIEF by Southern Cross University (collected by Cannabiz Awards judge Rhys Cohen)

Cannabiz Award for Innovation - Hale Farm

Business Leader of the Year - Sank Macfarlane, Puro New Zealand

2026 HIGHLIGHTS

For all the photos from the Cannabiz Awards 2026, click here.

Meet the Judges

The awards are judged by an esteemed panel of industry leaders and experts with a minimum of four jurors per category. In stage one the judges will select a shortlist, while in stage two they will meet to discuss the entries before scoring independently against the judging criteria to determine the winner. Jurors will not vote in categories where they have a direct interest or where there is another conflict. While sponsors are welcome to enter the Cannabiz Awards - and we are very grateful for their support - sponsorship has no bearing on the results.

Become a Sponsor

As an event partner you will be aligning your company with excellence and best practice in the industry. You will benefit from promotional and commercial opportunities at the event, as well as the chance to network with key decision makers and influencers. You will also gain access to the wider Cannabiz audience via our website content packages and market-leading weekly newsletter.

BECOME A SPONSOR