2026 California Cannabis Awards Crowns Golden Bear Winners

The 2026 California Cannabis Awards are in the books. Celebrating its fifth year, the country’s first state-sanctioned cannabis competition held its annual Golden Bear ceremony last weekend at the CA State Fair in Sacramento. Nine “Best in California” trophies were given out in a night full of jubilance, community pride, and, of course, loud terps.

The show started with a jarring yet rousing intro video where hostess Rachelle Gordon emerged from the nightmare of prohibition and broke the fourth wall into the dream of a State Fair cannabis oasis. After poking fun at her 4th-grade picture (“clearly a future weed writer,” she joked of the tie-dye-emblazoned kid on the screen), and a visit from Cal Expo CEO Tom Martinez, it was time for the Golden Bears to go out.

The first trophy of the night in the Wellness went to Emerald Bay Extracts for their Super Silver Haze RSO tablets. The Nevada City makers of Rick Simpson Oil syringes and pressed pills personify the category; Kyle McFarlin, the company’s director of medical partnerships, said backstage the win validates the work the team puts in.

“Serving patients comes as the absolute first and foremost for us,” he said.

Next up was the Beverages award. Presenter Hirsh Jain noted that while the category is relatively niche in California, its massive growth nationwide is a force to reckon with. The top THC drink in the Golden State was none other than Lychee Pear High Tea from St. Ides, a complex and flavorful bevvy that judges say packed a punch.

Rounding out the first third of the show was the Edibles category, seeing Emerald Sky take the Golden Bear for their Blue Dream Live Rosin GrooveBar. The delectable treat contains layers of roasted peanuts, creamy caramel, and rich nougat wrapped in silky milk chocolate. It was the first Golden Bear for the fan-favorite brand, and likely not the last.

Surprises from the stage

After a brief behind-the-scenes look at the Budist judging process, the trophies continued to flow. Moon Valley Cannabis took back-to-back Golden Bears in Cartridges and Concentrates for variations of their Neon Panther strain. The lemon dessert variety stood out as a solventless ice water hash and rosin all-in-one vape, the latter of which quickly sold out at the on-site embarc dispo after the show.

The pre-roll category came next, with award-winning cannabis journalist David Downs presenting. For the first time in CCA history, a non-infused joint was honored with the Golden Bear. The Dutch Treat pre-roll from One of a Kind is packed with a classic Northern Lights x Haze cross grown by Joy Ridge Farms, delighting judges with its smooth smoke. The unlikely win stunned the crowd—and the Mercy Wellness team behind the brand as well.

“This is crazy, winning in a category with solvent in the pre-rolls that gets you higher—to win with flower is amazing,” the team said from the stage.

A poignant moment for the Prop 215 activists

At this point in the show, it was time to announce the Pebbles Trippet Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2026 accolade went collectively to the activists who helped pass The Compassionate Use Act, aka Prop 215, which legalized medical cannabis in California in 1996. Dozens of signature gatherers, petitioners, and freedom fighters gathered at the State Fair to collect medals emblazoned with the numbers “215,” the first time many of them had been together in decades.

Prop 215 co-author and CA NORML director Dale Gieringer spoke on behalf of the crowd, acknowledging the many activists in his midst. He was joined on stage by other OGs like Elvy Musikka and Mikki Norris, who helped blaze a trail for cannabis reform across the country. The incredibly emotional moment captivated the room.

“Thirty years ago, this event was inconceivable,” Gieringer said during his impassioned speech, referring to the California Cannabis Awards. “We helped change the world for the better.”

Flower winners fly high

The final awards of the night were all about flower, starting with Indoor. The Golden Bear was given to Wood Wide for Woodzy, a Z-cross known for its pungent citrus-haze aroma. The variety is beloved for its consistent flavor throughout the smoke, and its heady yet balanced buzz.

The penultimate Golden Bear in Mixed Light was another shocker. Ridgeline Farms was awarded “Best in California” for their Blueberry Caviar, an accolade they previously won in 2025. The Grape Gas and Lantz cross boasts a cerebral yet mellow high; Cookies founder Berner predicted in 2024 that the strain would be the “next big thing,” and after its second State Fair win, it seems as though he may be right.

Finally, it was time for the Sun Grown flower award, often considered the biggest moment of the night. Embarc co-founder Dustin Moore and FairPlay Ventures founder James Leitz, both co-producers of the event, joined forces to announce the Golden Bear, handing the trophy to Greenshock Farms for their Pink Rider. The strain, a cross of Pretty in Pink and Tropical Sleigh Ride, is an uplifting sativa adored by judges for its nuanced fruit flavors.

Mark Greyshock, founder of Greenshock Farms, acknowledged the CCAs and the CA State Fair for creating a platform for craft cannabis.

“It’s so cool to see the real legacy guys competing like this; I’m just so proud,” he said from the stage.

The California Cannabis Awards recognizes the best that the world’s biggest weed market has to offer, and the 2026 event was no different. With five years in the books, the contest continues to evolve, improving and growing every time. 

And while the licensed competition may have come to a close, there’s still more to come. On July 25th, the very first Golden Bear for Home Grow flower will be awarded. On August 1st, the Consumers Choice champ is crowned. 

It’s a full-spectrum celebration the entire community shouldn’t miss.