The Cannabiz Awards for Australia and New Zealand, which celebrate the best in the legal cannabis industry, have launched for 2024 with some exciting changes. The awards, which were a huge success last year, have introduced three new categories, a new panel of judges, and a more rigorous two-stage judging process.
New categories to recognize technology, nurses, and cultivation
The Cannabiz Awards 2024 have added three new categories to reflect the diversity and innovation of the cannabis sector. The new categories are:
- Best Use of Technology: This award will honor the company or organization that has used technology creatively and effectively to improve their products, services, or operations.
- Nurse of the Year: This award will recognize the nurse who has demonstrated excellence in patient care, education, and advocacy for plant-based medicine.
- Cultivator of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year: These two awards will replace the previous Cultivator/Manufacturer of the Year award to acknowledge the different skills and challenges involved in growing and processing cannabis.
New judges from across the industry and the world
The Cannabiz Awards 2024 have also announced a new panel of judges, comprising some of the most respected and influential names in the industry. The judges include:
- Michael Sassano is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Somai Pharmaceuticals, a global cannabis company with operations in Europe, Africa, and North America.
- Peter Koetsier, chair of the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA) and CEO of Cann Group, Australia’s first licensed cannabis cultivator and manufacturer,
- Ben Quirin, head of Asia Pacific at Invert Inc., a leading cannabis consulting and advisory firm.
- Jonathon Arnold, deputy academic director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, a world-class research center at the University of Sydney,
They join returning judges from the fields of politics, healthcare, research, trade associations, and media, who will bring their expertise and insights to the judging process.
A more rigorous and collaborative judging process
The Cannabiz Awards 2024 have also introduced a new two-stage judging process to ensure the highest standards of quality and fairness. In the first stage, the judges will review the entries in the categories they are judging and select a shortlist. In the second stage, each jury will meet on a video call to discuss the shortlist before independently casting their votes for the winner.
The new judging process will allow the judges to share knowledge and discuss issues such as regulatory compliance while maintaining confidentiality and independence. The winners will be announced at the awards presentation, which will take place at Zinc, Federation Square, Melbourne, on May 30.
How to enter the Cannabiz Awards 2024?
The Cannabiz Awards 2024 are now open for entries, with the first entry deadline on March 15. The shortlist will be announced on April 18. The awards are open to any company or individual operating in the legal cannabis industry in Australia or New Zealand or providing services to the industry.
To enter the awards, visit the Cannabiz Awards website and follow the entry guidelines. The entry fee is $250 per category, with discounts for multiple entries. The entry fee includes a ticket to the awards presentation, which will be a night of celebration and networking with the industry’s finest.
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your achievements and be recognized as a leader in the cannabis industry. Enter the Cannabiz Awards 2024 today and join the conversation using the hashtag #CannabizAwards.