California Cannabis Awards Announces 2026 Medalists, Including First-Ever Home Grow Winners

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The California Cannabis Awards (CCAs), in partnership with the California State Fair, today announced the medalists in the 2026 competition, honoring dozens of brands across ten categories, including the new Home Grow Competition. The prestigious contest reflects California's growing recognition of cannabis alongside other award-winning state fair programs, including wine and olive oil.

Open to all licensed California cannabis growers, manufacturers, and brands, the competition recognizes excellence with more than 150 gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as ten coveted Golden Bear trophies honoring the "Best of California."

“The California Cannabis Awards continue to showcase the remarkable talent and innovation coming from licensed operators across the state, while reinforcing cannabis as an important part of California’s agricultural identity,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of Cal Expo and the California State Fair.

Now in its fifth year, the CCAs remain the country’s first state-sanctioned cannabis competition, helping normalize cannabis through one of California's most iconic public institutions. The competition has attracted national attention while setting a benchmark for cannabis normalization.

“Five years of honoring cannabis at the State Fair is a huge milestone for both the industry and the entire community,” said Lauren Carpenter, CEO of embarc, official retail partner and co-producer of the CCAs. “This contest showcases how cannabis can be thoughtfully and responsibly integrated into mainstream environments across the country.”

Flower entries are evaluated through scientific terpene and cannabinoid analysis conducted and certified by SC Labs, one of the nation's leading cannabis testing laboratories. Final judging of top flower entries and all finished goods is performed by expert Budist critics using a standardized 100-point scoring system to assess quality, craftsmanship, aroma, flavor, and overall experience.

This year’s medalist announcement also includes the results of the very first Home Grow Competition, which is conducted using the same analysis and Budist judging as the licensed contest. It is the first time a California state entity has recognized personal-use cannabis cultivators through an official awards program.

“Honoring backyard gardeners reflects what the CA State Fair has always championed—people who take pride in growing and creating,” said James Leitz, founder of FairPlay Ventures and producer of the CCAs. “The fact that we can now recognize the passionate hobbyist growers alongside California’s best licensed producers is incredibly exciting and historic in its own right.”

Lacee Horner, a family caregiver from Lake County, CA, won multiple medals in the inaugural Home Grow Competition.

“It’s really exciting being part of history—I feel like this competition is bringing things back to the roots of this community,” Horner said.

A full list of medalists can be found at CalCannabisAwards.com. Best-in-show California Golden Bear winners across the licensed competition will be announced during a live awards ceremony on Saturday, July 18, inside the California Cannabis Experience at the CA State Fair in Sacramento. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on YouTube. Home Grow Competition winners will be honored during a dedicated awards presentation on July 25.