Las Vegas, NV — December 2–5, 2025
This December, as MJBizCon once again transforms Las Vegas into the global hub of cannabis business and culture, all eyes will be on a new competition making its debut: the MJBowl, created and led by Budist, the industry’s first dedicated ratings and review platform.
Often described as the “Wine Spectator of cannabis,” Budist is known for merging professional expertise with consumer insights. With the MJBowl, the platform takes that mission to the main stage at MJBizCon, spotlighting the Most Valuable Products (MVPs) from California and New York in a first-of-its-kind coast-to-coast contest.
Entries are open until October 3, with licensed operators from both states submitting their best in flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, edibles, and cartridges. A panel of Budist critics — including certified Ganjiers, veteran judges, journalists, and tastemakers — will evaluate the products through Budist’s standardized 100-point system. Winners from each subcategory will advance to Las Vegas for the final showdown, where the MJBowl Trophy will be awarded on Thursday, December 4.
Budist is also ensuring that the competition resonates beyond the judges’ table. Through the Budist app, consumers will be able to engage with winning products, rate and review them, and extend recognition across the community. By blending expert evaluations with real-world feedback, Budist is raising the bar for transparency, professionalism, and connoisseurship in cannabis.
To anchor the competition in culture, Budist has teamed up with innovative retail and distribution partners. In California, The Artist Tree will showcase contenders across its gallery-inspired dispensaries and lounges. In New York, Gotham — the city’s pioneering cannabis concept store — will bring its cultural cachet to the East Coast leg of the competition. Nabis, California’s leading distributor, will oversee logistics to ensure a seamless process from product intake to the Las Vegas finals.
For Budist co-founder and CEO Jocelyn Sheltraw, the MJBowl is about more than trophies. “This competition is a celebration of craftsmanship and culture,” she explains. “By spotlighting excellence on both coasts, we’re helping bridge siloed markets and creating a national conversation about quality.”
MJBiz leaders echo that sentiment. “Budist is the respected, consumer-driven guide for cannabis lovers everywhere,” said Emilie Lewis, Senior Vice President and MJBiz Brand Leader. “Together, we’re uniting East and West in a contest that will set a new tradition for the industry.”
As California continues to lead the global market and New York rises as the East Coast’s most influential hub, the MJBowl represents a defining step forward — positioning cannabis competitions alongside the wine, food, and spirits contests that have shaped mainstream culture for decades. With Budist at the helm and MJBizCon as the stage, the MJBowl promises to be one of the most significant moments of 2025.
For more details or to enter the competition, visit Budist.com/mjbowl or MJBizCon.com.
