West Hollyweed Awards
A Tribute to California’s Cannabis Excellence and Spotlight on WeHo’s Finest
The West Hollyweed Awards 2026 is a landmark industry event debuting as the premier celebration of California’s cannabis excellence and West Hollywood’s unique hospitality culture, presented by Emerald Village West Hollywood and produced by AudioKush.
The West Hollyweed Awards is a strictly industry-only event held in the heart of West Hollywood. The five-day schedule balances high-stakes judging with exclusive networking, culminating in a historic awards ceremony.
May 27 – 28: Elite Judging Rounds
The first two days are dedicated to private, exclusive judging events. During this phase, a curated panel of experts evaluates the finest products in California cannabis to determine the winners of the Industry Cup. These sessions are closed to the general public and all non-judging guests.
May 29 – 31: Industry Access Days
Beginning May 29, the festival doors open to all registered industry guests. This period offers professionals the chance to network across various West Hollywood establishments, explore brand activations, and participate in curated hospitality experiences within the Emerald Village.
Sunday, May 31: The Grand Awards Ceremony
The West Hollyweed Awards culminate with the official awards ceremony hosted at The Chapel at The Abbey. This iconic venue provides a world-class backdrop for crowning the winners of the Industry Cup and the People’s Choice Awards.
The Event At A Glance
Where Excellence Meets Hospitality
To bridge the gap between California’s elite cannabis brands and the world’s most sophisticated retail market. We aren’t just giving out trophies; we are setting the standard for the next era of cannabis hospitality.
4 Weeks of Public Engagement
Our month-long digital campaign harnesses the power of the consumer. This period of high-velocity public nominations and voting creates massive organic visibility for West Hollywood’s top-tier dispensaries and lounges, allowing the community to crown the true leaders of the “Emerald Village.”
5 Days of Curated Activations
Over five days, we transform the city into an industry-exclusive oasis. This curated series of activations offers a deep dive into the West Hollywood cannabis scene, providing professionals with a rare, distraction-free environment to network, discover, and collaborate.
District-Wide Tour
Rather than a single convention hall, the West Hollyweed Awards take place across Multiple Flagship Locations. Experience high-impact activations across WeHo’s world-class consumption lounges and premier dispensaries, showcasing products in the luxury environments where they are meant to be enjoyed.
1 Historic Grand Finale
The week reaches its peak with 1 Grand Finale. We culminate this historic gathering with a prestigious awards ceremony at The Chapel at The Abbey, honoring the champions of the Industry Cup and the People’s Choice winners in the heart of West Hollywood’s legendary nightlife district.
— A Proven Platform
The West Hollyweed Awards utilizes a proven framework modeled after the world-renowned Amsterdam Coffeeshop Awards, combining elite professional judging with a massive, community-driven “People’s Choice” competition.
— Elevated Industry Networking
From May 29–31, the event transitions into a professional-only hub. This provides a rare, curated environment where sponsors and industry guests can connect without the “noise” of a general public festival, leading up to the final ceremony at The Chapel at The Abbey.
— The Social Equity Spotlight
The West Hollyweed Awards is built on Social Justice & Equity. We provide a dedicated platform and specialized award categories to amplify BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and Women-owned businesses—ensuring the spotlight reflects the true diversity of our community.
— Dual-Track Competition
The Industry Cup is decided by a curated panel of 25 expert judges who perform deep-dive, blind sensory analysis on every entry. Simultaneously, the People’s Choice Awards harnesses the voice of the consumer, allowing the community to vote for the dispensaries and lounges that provide the ultimate guest experience.
Partners
Sponsorship Opportunities
The West Hollyweed Awards offers an unparalleled B2B platform to place your brand at the center of the world’s most sophisticated retail market. Move beyond the noise of traditional trade shows and into the luxury lounges where culture is actually created.