MJBizCon & Budist Launch The MJBowl, a First-of-its Kind Bi-Coastal Cannabis Competition & Awards

LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MJBizCon, the largest, most established cannabis business Conference and Expo in the world, is teaming up with Budist, to launch the MJBowl, a first-of-its-kind bi-coastal competition spotlighting the Most Valuable Products (MVP) from California and New York across five key categories. Winners will be announced at MJBizCon Thursday, December 4.

The competition window kicks off on Thursday, August 14 and runs through Friday, October 3. The official MJBowl announcement and launch celebration will take place at the Hiii Magazine HQ in Los Angeles in conjunction with their Galactic Lift Off event. Contestants must be licensed cannabis companies in the state where they wish to compete.

Budist, the cannabis industry's first professional review platform, will lead judging with its panel of Budist critics — including certified Ganjiers, longtime competition judges, cannabis journalists, and industry tastemakers — using a standardized scoring rubric to ensure a consistent and credible process. Winning brands will be announced at the Awards Ceremony and later featured in consumer judging kits, where enthusiasts can experience the products, rate and review them in the Budist app, and help extend recognition for brands beyond the competition.

Categories include flower (indoor, outdoor, greenhouse), pre-rolls (infused, non-infused), concentrates (solvent, solventless), edibles (confections, beverages), and vapes (solvent, solventless).

"Budist is the respected, consumer driven guide for cannabis lovers everywhere. Together, we're uniting East and West in a contest that will raise the bar — and set a new tradition for the industry," said Emilie Lewis, Senior Vice President & MJBiz Brand Leader.

"Our industry has been waiting for cannabis to be recognized and celebrated on a national level. This bi-coastal competition is a significant step in that direction, bridging siloed markets by spotlighting product excellence in each state. MJBizCon is the ideal partner to unite stakeholders across our ecosystem, and Budist is honored to partner with them for this historic occasion," said Jocelyn Sheltraw, Co-Founder and CEO of Budist.

The full Conference Agenda is here.
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ABOUT MJBiz
MJBiz is the leading B2B resource for the cannabis industry. Founded in 2011, it is the most trusted publisher and event producer serving cannabis industry entrepreneurs and investors from around the globe. MJBiz produces MJBizCon, the longest-running and largest cannabis trade show in the world. The 2015-2019 events were each named to Trade Show Executive's Fastest 50 list and ranks on the Gold 100 list of largest tradeshows in the U.S. The 2025 event will return to Las Vegas December 3-5, 2025 (Pre-Show Forums December 2). The MJBiz team also produces news and analysis of the marijuana and hemp industries via MJBizDaily, MJBiz Factbook. For more information about MJBizCon or MJBiz, please visit www.MJBizCon.com and www.MJBizDaily.com.

ABOUT BUDIST
Budist is the cannabis industry's first dedicated ratings and review app, bringing transparency, professionalism, and community to how cannabis products are evaluated and discovered. Often called the "Wine Spectator of cannabis," Budist combines expert evaluations from a diverse team of trained critics with consumer reviews to deliver credible product insights across all categories. The app allows consumers to rate and review products, access expert perspectives, and discover standout brands with confidence. Budist also hosts educational and experiential events, including guided tastings, to build a community and culture of connoisseurship. For more information, visit www.Budist.com.

ABOUT EMERALD
Emerald Holding, Inc. (NYSE: EEX) is the largest U.S.-based B2B event organizer, empowering businesses year-round by expanding meaningful connections, developing influential content, and delivering powerful commerce-driven solutions. As the owner and operator of a curated portfolio of B2B events spanning trade shows, conferences, B2C showcases and a scaled hosted buyer platform, Emerald also delivers dynamic solutions across leading industries through its robust content and e-commerce marketplace. Emerald is a trusted partner for its thousands of customers, predominantly small and medium-sized businesses, playing a pivotal role in driving ongoing commerce through streamlined buying, selling, and networking opportunities. Powered by an experienced team, Emerald is fostering impactful engagement and delivering unparalleled market access with a commitment to driving business growth 365 days a year. For more: https://www.emeraldx.com

SOURCE MJBiz