MJBowl (MJBizCon x Budist)
A coast-to-coast product contest from MJBizCon and Budist that pitted California against New York in 2025 and adds Colorado for 2026.
- 7results on record
- 2025years in our data
- 1editions
- 2matched to strains
- MJBizCon, Las Vegas Convention Center, Nevadalatest location
01Beginnings
MJBowl is a cannabis product competition run by MJBizCon together with Budist, a social review platform.1 It started in 2025 as a contest between two coasts, covering California and New York.13
It was a first for MJBizCon. One report calls it the first product contest in MJBizCon's 13-year history.2 The sources do not say what year Budist was founded, or who first came up with the idea.
02The story so far
The first edition took entries from Aug. 14 to Oct. 3, 2025. Critics judged from Oct. 27 to Nov. 21.1 Early-bird entry cost $250 through Aug. 31, then $300 until the window closed.1
Entrants had to be active licensed companies in the state they entered, with compliant, retail-ready packaging.1 Each state had its own judging panel.4 Budist's expert judges scored entries on a proprietary 100-point scale.2
The finalists were published on Nov. 24, 2025.4 The awards show was set for Dec. 4, 2025 at MJBizCon in Las Vegas, where the MJBowl Trophy for Best in Category was to be handed out live.14 GreenState's report on the winners is dated Dec. 8, 2025.2
In California, Decibel Gardens won indoor flower with Roswell 47, and Ay Papi won solventless concentrates with Sapphire Thumbprint.34 In New York, Lit by the Lake won indoor flower with Pannacotta, and New Roots Gardens won solventless concentrates with Bickett OG Live Rosin.34 GreenState's headline said craft brands dominated the first edition.2
03Culture and community
The judges are Budist critics. The sources describe them as certified Ganjiers, cup judges, journalists and tastemakers.1 Ordinary consumers can take part too, through paid judging kits and reviews in the Budist app.1
There is also a Consumers' Choice public vote.2 The 2025 edition had supply-chain partners: Nabis handled distribution, and Gotham, The Artist Tree and NorCal Holistics worked with it as retailers.4
The sources do not say how the public vote works or how its winners are picked.
04Where it stands now
The 2026 MJBowl is the contest's second year. It is part of MJBizCon 2026, which runs Dec. 1 to 4, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. MJBizCon and Budist are still the organisers.3
Colorado joins California and New York this year.3 The categories are flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, edibles and cartridges, each split into sub-types, plus a new Wellness category.3 The sources do not give 2026 entry dates or fees.
05What comes next
The 2026 edition comes next. It adds a third state and a new category.3
The sources do not say whether more states will join, or what the plans are after 2026.
The results, in our data
CannaLib holds 7 results from this cup across 1 years (2025 to 2025), 2 of them matched to a strain in the catalogue.
Recent first-place strains
| Year | Strain | Category | Entrant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Roswell 47 | Flower (California) | Decibel Gardens |
| 2025 | Pannacotta | Flower (New York) | Lit by the Lake |
Editions on record
- 2025 · MJBizCon, Las Vegas Convention Center, Nevada
Sources
- New York and California square off in MJBowl cannabis competition (MJBizDaily)
- Craft brands dominate in first-ever bicoastal cannabis contest (GreenState)
- MJBowl - MJBizCon 2026
- Meet the finalists for the 2025 MJBowl cannabis competition (MJBizDaily)
Written from the sources above and checked on 2026-11-08. Spot an error? Tell us on the contact page.