Congratulations To Our 2023
Benzinga Cannabis Award Winners & Finalists!
The Benzinga Cannabis Awards were presented at the Cannabis Capital Conference September 27, 2023 in Chicago to celebrate the NEW, CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE, and OUTSTANDING of the cannabis industry.
- Earn global recognition for your achievements.
- Shine a spotlight on the people around you that deserve their moment.
- Celebrate with the newest, hottest and most successful in the cannabis industry.
Most Impactful Cannabis Executives of the Year
- Ben Kovler: Creating a Great American Growth Story
- Kim Rivers: Leading with Integrity
- Charlie Bachtell
“Brett Roper Award” for Lifetime Achievement
- Nancy Whiteman
- Vlad Bautista
- Joel Stanley
Cannabis Advocate of the Year
- Mary Bailey, LPP
- Brady Cobb
- Saphira Galoob, Liaison Group
Friend of the Industry Award
- Rep. David Joyce
- Rep. Nancy Mace
- Nikki Fried
Best Cannabis Leader Under 40
- Luke Anderson, Cann
- Karson Humiston, Vangst
- Berner
Most Innovative Cannabis Brand
- Miss Grass
- Cookies
- STIIIZY
Most Effective Celebrity Cannabis Brand
- Cookies - Berner
- Viola - Al Harrington
- Mendi - Megan & Rachael Rapinoe
Most Innovative Cannabis Small Business
- House of Saka Infused Wines from Napa Valley
- Her Highness
- butter
Most Environmentally Friendly Operator
- Geomat Patented Water Recovery Systems
- POSIBL
- Glass House Brands' Commitment to Sustainability
Social Equity Award
- Desiree Perez - The Parent Company
- Whitney Beatty - Josephine & Billie's
- Khadijah Tribble - Curaleaf
Best Use of Capital
- Jushi Holdings
- Ascend Wellness Holdings
- Tilt Holdings
Best M&A Deal
- Flora Growth Enhances U.S. Infrastructure and CPG Portfolio Through Acquisition of Category Leading Wellness Brand JustCBD
- Planet 13 / Next Green Wave
- Sundial / Alcanna
Best M&A Banker
- Jim Kirsch, Alliance Global Partners
- Tom Pollard, Canaccord
- Adam Carlson, ATB
Best Cannabis Partnership
- TILT Brings True Social Equity Partnership to Shinnecock Indian Nation
- Trulieve: In the Zohn
- Zoned Properties & AnamiTech Transforming Cannabis Real Estate
Best Cannabis Retail Expansion Strategy
- Trulieve
- Flora Growth
- Verano
Cannabis Investors Award - Institutional
- Ricky Sandler, Eminence Capital
- Jason Wild, JW Asset Mgmt
- Putnam Investments, Michael Maguire
Cannabis Investors Award - Private Equity / VC
- Mitch Baruchowitz, Merida Capital
- Emily Paxhia, Poseidon
- Matt Hawkins, Entourage Effect Capital
Most Innovative Cannabis ETF
- YOLO - AdvisorShares
- CNBS - Seymour Asset Mgmt
- PSDN - Poseidon
Most Innovative Cannabis Lender
- Pelorus Equity Group
- Seaport Global
- AFC Gamma
Best Cannabis Industry Analyst
- Matt Bottomley, Cannacord
- Vivien Azer, Cowen
- Pablo Zuanic, Cantor Fitzgerald
Best Investment Research
- Viridian Capital - Scott Greiper
- Greenwave Advisors - Matt Karnes
Best Cannabis Accounting Firm
- Crowe LLP
- Marcum
- Centri
Best Cannabis Law Firm
- Foley Hoag
- Akerman
- Zuber Lawler
Hottest Cannabis Technology
- Weedmaps
- LeafLink
- Headset
Best Canadian Cannabis Company
- Village Farms
- Indiva
- Fire & Flower
Best Latin American Cannabis Company
- Khiron Life Sciences
- Avicanna
- Flora Growth
Best European Cannabis Company
- TILRAY
- Curaleaf International
- Cansativa GMBH
Cannabis Business Reporter of the Year
- Insider - Jeremy Berke
- Forbes - Will Yakowicz
- Sara Brittany Somerset, Freelance
Cannabis Finance Reporter of the Year
- CNBC - Tim Seymour
- Cheddar News - Chloe Aiello
- CNBC - Frank Holland
Cannabis Policy Reporter of the Year
- Marijuana Moment - Kyle Jaeger
- POLITICO - Mona Zhang
- Leafly - Ben Adlin
Cannabis Lifestyle Reporter of the Year
- Jon Cappetta, High Times
- Katie Shapiro, Forbes
- Ashley Keenan, Leafly
Cannabis Industry Association of the Year
- US Cannabis Council
- National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
- Marijuana Policy Project
For Achievement in Building Trust
- Emily Paxhia
The Merida Capital Award for Entrepreneurship
- Pantry, Scott Jennings
Taking Cannabis Mainstream
- Fyllo, Chad Bronstein
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