ECS Botanics has taken out the Best Place to Work and Cultivator or Manufacturer of the Year trophies at the inaugural Cannabiz Awards 2023, while CEO Nan-Maree Schoerie was named Business Leader of the Year.
Astrid Dispensary won for Dispensary or Pharmacy and Company of the Year, while Little Green Pharma scored twice for R&D Project of the Year (the QUEST Initiative with the University of Sydney) and Best Patient-Focused Initiative (for the firm’s compassionate access scheme).
Meanwhile Puro New Zealand led the charge from across the Tasman, picking up the Environmental, Social and Governance and Industry Collaboration awards (with Helius Therapeutics).
In the individual categories, Dr James Stewart was named Prescribing Healthcare Practitioner of the Year, Phoebe Macleod took out the Best Industry Newcomer award, and Lucy Haslam won for Patient Advocate of the Year.
Companies recognised on the night included Vitura Health (for CanView), Medcan (for Cann I Help) and ANTG (for Product Launch of the Year) while Biortica Agrimed was named Start-Up Company of the Year.
The awards were judged independently by 36 senior industry figures and presented in front of a sold-out audience at Melbourne’s Showtime Events Centre.
They were sponsored by Tasmanian Botanics, Bod Science, Pharmalytics, Standard Botanic, Oz Medicann Group and CMI Safe Company, with support from MCIA, AMCA and ETAA.
The judges said of Schoerie: “Leaders’ tasks can change every minute, but the attitude and manner in which they are executed demonstrate the values they hold.
“Nan-Maree represents an extremely compassionate, caring and determined leader who ensures that business is not just what it says on the balance sheet.”
The full list of award winners:
Clinic or Telehealth Service of the Year
WINNER: Cann I Help
Dispensary or Pharmacy of the Year
WINNER: Astrid Dispensary
Best Patient-Focused Initiative
WINNER: Little Green Pharma’s Compassionate Access Scheme
Patient Advocate of the Year
WINNER: Lucy Haslam, United in Compassion/Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association
Environmental, Social and Governance Award
WINNER: Puro New Zealand
Product Launch of the Year
WINNER: Australian Natural Therapeutics Group
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Helius Therapeutics
Hemp Product of the Year
WINNER: Hemp Oz Kombucha
R&D Project of the Year
WINNER: Little Green Pharma with The University of Sydney – The QUEST Initiative
Cultivator/Manufacturer of the Year
WINNER: ECS Botanics
Best Industry Newcomer
WINNER: Phoebe Macleod, Heyday Medical
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Olivia Lackmann, Dr Shu Medical Services
Prescribing Healthcare Practitioner of the Year
WINNER: Dr James Stewart, Herbal Health Clinics
Best Place to Work
WINNER: ECS Botanics
Cannabiz Award for Innovation
WINNER: CanView
Cannabiz Award for Industry Advancement
WINNER: Fiona Patten
Cannabiz Award for Industry Collaboration
WINNER: Puro New Zealand and Helius Therapeutics
Best Education/Engagement Initiative
WINNER: Medihuanna
Medical Science Liaison Team of the Year
WINNER: Althea
Start-up Company of the Year
WINNER: Biortica Agrimed
Company of the Year
WINNER: Astrid Dispensary
Business Leader of the Year
WINNER: Nan-Maree Schoerie, ECS Botanics