Celebrating Three Decades of Legal Weed and the Best Buds of 2026 at the California Cannabis Awards

The California cannabis community just wrapped up a major celebration at the State Fair, marking the fifth annual California Cannabis Awards. This year’s event was especially meaningful as it also honored three decades of history since the historic passage of Proposition 215, the foundational law that kicked off the modern medical marijuana movement. For everyday consumers and industry insiders alike, this ceremony is the ultimate showcase of the hard work and passion that local cultivators and product makers pour into their crafts.

The prestigious Golden Bear trophies were handed out to the absolute best of the best, selected from an impressive field of 185 total medalists. The event shined a well-deserved spotlight on top-tier quality across a wide variety of formats. Whether you prefer traditional, beautifully cured flower or look for the latest innovations in concentrates, vape cartridges, and pre-rolled joints, there was plenty to celebrate. The competition also highlighted excellence in everyday items like infused beverages, delicious edibles, and soothing wellness topicals, proving that the legal market has something incredible for every type of lifestyle.

Big winners of the night included Greenshock Farms taking the top spot for sun-grown flower with their Pink Rider strain, and Wood Wide securing the indoor flower crown with Woodzy. In a historic first, a non-infused joint—the Dutch Treat pre-roll from One of a Kind and Joy Ridge Farms—took home a Golden Bear, proving that pure, classic genetics can still steal the show. Meanwhile, brands like Moon Valley Cannabis swept the extract categories, and Emerald Sky dominated the edible space with their Live Rosin GrooveBar.

For local enthusiasts, these results serve as the perfect shopping list for your next dispensary run. Many of these award-winning batches are currently hitting shelves across the state or featured at regional events. If you want to elevate your stash with verified, top-shelf quality, keeping an eye out for these celebrated names is a great way to support the dedicated artisans keeping California's culture thriving.