Celebrating California’s Cannabis Industry

Overview

Welcome to the 3rd annual CA State Cannabis Awards.  This state-agency sanctioned cannabis competition is a historic first in the United States and sits proudly on a coveted roster of annual CA State Fair competitions alongside wine, cheese, olive oil and craft beer.  Celebrating craft, culture, agricultural history and innovation, these awards have sparked a new conversation about cannabis, and continue to evolve and expand, with the introduction of new categories and product types in 2024.

The Awards celebration culminates during the Fair at the popular CA Cannabis Experience, a 17-day cannabis educational exhibit and immersive cultural showcase.  The popular experience features exciting exhibits, award-winning product displays, speakers, and new for 2024, a cannabis sales outlet and consumption lounge.

Why it matters

  • Social Progress – A pathway to normalcy and destigmatization
  • Cannabis Education – Changing the narrative through awareness
  • Mainstream Appeal – Reaching a new audience
  • Claiming our Roots – Cannabis is Agriculture!
  • Marketing Impact – A NEW Seal of Excellence
  • Showcasing CA Cannabis Farmers, Manufacturers and Communities

California State Fair

The California State Fair is held at the California Exposition Center in Sacramento in July of each year.  The 17-day event attracts over 750,000 attendees annually and showcases California’s agricultural heritage, industry and cultural diversity.

July of 2024 will celebrate the 168-year tradition of coveted awards competition, a beloved carnival, live concerts, food festival and other family fun.

One of the largest and most successful state fairs, the CA State Fair is recognized as a leader in programming innovation and quality entertainment.

The California Exposition Center - Cal Expo

Cal Expo is the largest state-owned, special events facility. With a 350-acre campus featuring multiple event venues, convention halls and public areas, surrounded by ample parking spaces and easy access from major highways, Cal Expo is the ideal host for statewide celebrations.

The Awards and Experience are produced by Play Fair Ventures, LLC, a California-based event marketing and production agency specializing in creating and executing properties and campaigns that help guide cannabis to a mainstream marketplace.

Fair Play Ventures is an exciting partnership between Cultivar Events, creators and producers of the 2022/2023 CA State Fair cannabis competition and exhibit, and Embarc, one of California’s leading cannabis retailers and cannabis event specialists.  www.goembarc.com