Budist Newsletter: 2026 Events & Opportunities
Dear Friends,
March marked two years since Budist publicly debuted at our launch party at Sunstone Winery, the night before Hall of Flowers Ventura. Since then, our mission has stayed the same, but the way we work with brands has evolved significantly.
As the market matures, the need for trusted standards and consumer education continues to grow, and it has become a central focus of our work. We explored this in March with the release of our report Future of Cannabis Premiumization, which looks at how the market can curb commoditization by establishing shared quality standards.
This year, we’re working more closely with companies across the cannabis ecosystem to build on that foundation through a series of initiatives across three key areas.
Our team of critics and judges continue to power leading competitions, including The Farmers Cup, California Cannabis Awards, and MJBowl, each designed to recognize standout products through a clear and consistent evaluation process. We’re offering deeper insight into the judging process and inviting best-in-class devices and accessories to participate.
Our Thought Leadership Series will expand with new publications and events in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, designed to share insights and foster dialogue around the trends shaping the industry.
We’re also working with companies that want to engage more directly with our community through sponsored content, helping them tell their story and build credibility by highlighting quality, craftsmanship, origin, and heritage.
Across each of these areas, the goal remains the same: to create spaces where consumers and the trade can engage more thoughtfully with the plant. We’re excited about what’s ahead and invite you to take part in the opportunities outlined below.
With Gratitude,
Jocelyn Sheltraw
Co-Founder & CEO
Competitions
Budist serves as the official judging platform for leading cannabis competitions, working alongside our network of judges, retailers, and event partners to deliver professional evaluation and meaningful visibility at the regional, state, and national levels.
Our 2026 competition lineup offers unique opportunities for devices, accessories, and ancillary companies to integrate into both the judging process and ongoing promotion across the following programs:
- Farmer’s Cup 420 Edition May 30, San Diego, CA
- California Cannabis Awards July 18, Sacramento, CA
- MJBowl at MJBizCon December 3, Las Vegas, NV
Thought Leadership Series
Budist produces a series of in-depth editorial reports that examine key product categories, define quality standards, and contribute to a more informed and differentiated cannabis market, developed by our team of critics and industry experts to elevate understanding and support long-term category growth.
Our 2026 Thought Leadership Series offers select opportunities for companies to underwrite this work, aligning with credible, research-driven content that helps shape industry standards and influence the broader conversation, with each report supported by a dedicated release event.
Upcoming Reports:
- Category Report: Sleep Edibles
- Harvest Report: 2025 California Vintage
- Market Report: Cannabis Beverage Landscape
Upcoming Events
Our events are designed to give people a more direct experience with products and industry dialogue, bringing together consumers, brands, and the trade in a more thoughtful setting.
Several of these events are tied to our Thought Leadership Series and serve as release moments for each report.
- Discovering Sleep Edibles (April 30)
Urbana Geary, San Francisco
Register Here - 2025 California Harvest Celebration (June 16)
Chapel of Flowers, Berkeley
Event Page Coming Soon! - TBA Product Launch Party (June 18)
Hollywood
Event Page Coming Soon! - Beverage Symposium (June 25)
Los Angeles
Event Page Coming Soon!
In the News
Recent coverage highlights Budist’s approach to product evaluation and building a more informed cannabis market.
- GreenState: California Cannabis Harvest Report
Budist’s California Cannabis Harvest Report introduces a vintage-style framework for understanding sungrown cannabis and regional cultivation across the state. - Hiii Magazine: MJBowl Award Winners 2025
A look at the 2025 MJBowl winners across categories, including where these standout products are currently available at The Artist Tree. - Cannabiz Conversations: Budist Founders on Cannabis Education
A conversation with Budist co-founders Jocelyn Sheltraw and Claudio Miranda on the origin of Budist and our mission to build a culture of product appreciation.
Connect with Us
If you’d like to learn more about our 2026 calendar of events, competitions, and content opportunities, reach out to schedule a call or request the Budist Media Kit.