Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference Announces Awards Finalists

Finalists for the second annual Benzinga Cannabis Awards have been unveiled. This coveted recognition spotlights the cannabis industry's luminaries, from trailblazers and innovators to advocates who are helping to advance all facets of the business. 

The winner for each category will be announced on the first day of the highly anticipated Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, taking place in Chicago, September 27-28. 

Benzinga Cannabis Awards Finalists

Finalists are listed in alphabetical order under each category.

Most categories typically feature three finalists. If a category only has two finalists, it indicates that no other nominees met the minimum voting threshold to be considered finalists. Conversely, if a category has four finalists, it's due to a tie among the contenders.

Brett Roper Award for Lifetime Achievement

• Cory Gardner (Former US Sen)
• Dr. Peter Grinspoon, Harvard University
• Ed Perlmutter (Former US Rep)

Best Canadian Cannabis Company

• Rubicon Organics ROMJF
• SNDL SNDL
• Village Farms VFF

Best Cannabis Accounting Firm

• Marcum LLP
• Miller Cooper
• PKF O'Connor Davies

Best Cannabis Credit Fund

• Altmore Capital
• Pelorus Capital Group
• Sweet Leaf Madison Capital

Best Cannabis Industry Analyst

• Aaron Grey, AGP
• Jesse Redmond, Water Tower Research
• Matt Bottomley, Canaccord Genuity

Best Cannabis Law Firm

• Bianchi & Brandt
• Burns & Levinson
• Clark Hill
• Weiner Law Group (Lou Magazzu)

Best Cannabis REIT

• Innovative Industrial Properties IIPR
• MJ Reit via Rainbow Realty Group
• NewLake Capital NLCP

Best Retail Expansion Strategy

• Greenlight
• TerrAscend TRSSF
• Verano Holdings VRNOF

Best End-User Technology

• iSpire Technology ISPR
• Jupiter Research
• Pax
• Puffco

Best Private Equity / VC Portfolio

• Global Cannabis Holdings
• JW Asset Management
• Poseidon Investment Management

Best Research & Data

• Headset
• HyFire
• New Frontier Data

Best Social Equity Award Success Story

• 40Tons
• GreenSoul Organics
• Simply Pure Trenton

Best Tech Platform: B2B

• Green Check Verified
• Leaf Trade
• Leaflink
• Treez

Best Tech Platform: B2C

Jushi Holdings JUSHF

• Leafly Holdings LFLY
• Springbig SBIG
• StrainBrain

Best Business Matchmaker

• Greenlife
• Lineage Merchant Partners
• Viridian Capital Advisors

Best African Cannabis Company

• Happy Hounds
• Southern Sky

Best European Cannabis Company

• Bloomwell Group
• Sanity Group
• SOMAI Pharmaceuticals

Best Latin American Cannabis Company

• Cannava
• Prich Biotech
• Xebra Brands

Cannabis Business Reporter

• Debra Borchardt, Green Market Report
• Jeremy Berke, Cultivated
• Rachelle Gordon, GreenState
• Will Yakowicz, Forbes

Cannabis Lifestyle Reporter

• Hernán Panessi, El Planteo
• Jackie Bryant, San Diego Magazine
• Jon Cappetta, High Times
• Mehka King, CashColorCannabis

Most Effective Celebrity Cannabis Brand

• Dr. Greenthumb's by B-Real
• Hempacco - Snoop Dogg, Cheech & Chong, Rick Ross
• Mirayo by Santana

US State with Biggest Growth Potential

• Maryland
• Michigan
• Ohio

CannaBFFs

• Gold Flora x TPCO
• Leaf Trade x Sweed
• SNDL x Valens

Cannabis Advocate of the Year

• Last Prisoner Project
• Mamá Cultiva Argentina
• Weldon Angelos, Mission Green

Most Impactful Cannabis Executive of the Year

• Amber Senter, Supernova Women
• Don Levin, Republic Brands
• Nancy Whiteman, Wana Brands

Most Innovative Cannabis Brand

• Azuca
• Grön
• MyTepi

Most Innovative Cannabis Small Business

• Dynavap / Chill Steel Pipes
• It's All About Choices
• PayRio

Taking Cannabis Mainstream

• Neo Exchange
• Edie Parker
• Mattio Communications
• Safe Harbor

More About The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference will be held at the Magnificent Mile Marriott in Chicago, on September 27 and 28. The event will feature a roster of notable speakers, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr., Former Sen. Cory Gardner, Former Rep. Ed Perlmutter, Eminence Capital Founder & CEO Ricky Sandler, Trulieve's CEO Kim Rivers, and Curaleaf's Chairman of the Board, Boris Jordan.

Benzinga CEO, Jason Raznick, remarked, "The overwhelming response and the caliber of attendees underscore the event's significance in the cannabis sector. This year's conference was a testament to the burgeoning interest from both policymakers and investors in the dynamic cannabis landscape."

With a focus on fostering partnerships rather than sales, the conference floor was a hub for over 60 data companies, lenders, brands, and finance service companies. The introduction of the Deal Floor emerged as a distinctive feature, providing an exclusive space for buyers and sellers to forge potential business deals.

Raznick added, "In these times, community and collaboration have never been more crucial. We've convened the industry's luminaries and stakeholders, fostering dialogues that we believe will set the trajectory for the future of cannabis."

For those eager to know more about the finalists' accomplishments, Benzinga will soon release comprehensive profiles, highlighting their significant contributions.

Join the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the place where deals get done, in Chicago this Sept 27-28 for its 17th edition. Get your tickets today before prices increase and secure a spot at the epicenter of cannabis investment and branding.