2026 Explore Maryland Cannabis Awards
Celebrating the people, businesses, products, brands, experiences, and community leaders shaping Maryland cannabis.
Saturday, December 19, 2026 · Impact Hub Baltimore
2026 EMC Awards Categories
Twenty public-vote categories recognizing the people, businesses, products, workplaces, and experiences shaping Maryland cannabis.
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![Logo for Explore Maryland Cannabis Awards featuring a marijuana leaf inside a lollipop shape with a gold and black border and a green banner with white text that reads 'Explore Maryland Cannabis Awards People.']()
PEOPLE
Recognizing the people leading, serving, advocating, educating, and telling the stories that move Maryland cannabis forward.
Maryland Community Leader of the Year
Budtender of the Year
Maryland Retail Professional of the Year
Maryland Cannabis Advocate of the Year
Maryland Cannabis Storyteller / Content Creator of the Year
Maryland Brand Champion
Best Maryland Cannabis Podcast + Show
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![Illustration of an award badge for the Explore Maryland Cannabis Awards, featuring a marijuana leaf in the center, surrounded by a laurel wreath, with a green banner reading "Explore Maryland Cannabis Awards Company."]()
BUSINESS + BRANDS
Recognizing the people leading, serving, advocating, educating, and telling the stories that move Maryland cannabis forward.
2026 Cannabis Brand of the Year
2026 Small Business of the Year
2026 Ancillary Business of the Year
2026 Dispensary of the Year
2026 Grower of the Year
2026 Processor of the Year
2026 Best Place to Work
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![An award badge for the Explore Maryland Cannabis Awards featuring a magnifying glass with a cannabis leaf inside, surrounded by a gold laurel wreath, with green and yellow ribbons that say 'Explore Maryland Cannabis Awards Products'.]()
PRODUCTS
Recognizing standout cannabis products available in Maryland and the brands helping shape the consumer experience.
Maryland Cannabis Clothing (Apparel/Merchandise) Product
2026 CBD Product of the Year
2026 Cannabis Product of the Year
2026 Flower of the Year
2026 Edible / Infused Product of the Year
2026 Wellness Product of the Year
2026 Vape / Concentrate Product of the Year
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EXPERIENCE + DISCOVERY
Recognizing the events, educational efforts, and welcoming experiences that help more people understand and engage with Maryland cannabis.
2026 Best Place to Work
2026 Cannabis Event or Experience of the Year
2026 Best First-Time Friendly Dispensary Experience
2026 Workforce / Industry Education Effort of the Year
Nominate Your Favorite
The EMC Awards are community-powered and EMC-stewarded. Nominate the people, businesses, brands, products, events, and experiences helping shape Maryland cannabis.
Key notes:
Self-nominations are welcome.
Submit one nomination per form.
You may submit more than one nomination by completing the form again.
Duplicate nominations do not increase someone’s chances.
EMC reviews submissions for Maryland relevance, category fit, eligibility, and duplicates before the official Nominee Class is announced.
November 1–15, 2026
Public Voting Opens November 1
After nominations close, EMC will review submissions and announce the official 2026 Nominee Class. Public voting will run from November 1–15, 2026.
You do not have to vote in every category. Vote in the categories you know, explore the ones you don’t, and use Awards Season as a way to discover Maryland’s cannabis ecosystem.
One vote per email address per category.
Voters may skip categories they do not know.
EMC reviews results for duplicate activity, eligibility, and process integrity before winners are confirmed.
Winners will be announced at the Green Carpet Celebration on December 19.