MJBiz, Budist, The Artist Tree, Nabis, and Gotham Partner Up on MJBowl
Los Angeles, CA/New York, NY, Sept 4, 2025—MJBizCon, the largest, most established cannabis business Conference and Expo in the world, is teaming up with Budist to launch the MJBowl, a first-of-its-kind bi-coastal cannabis competition in partnership with Nabis as the exclusive distributor and retail partners The Artist Tree (California only) and Gotham (New York only).
The MJBowl competition spotlights the Most Valuable Products (MVPs) from California and New York across five key categories, with industry experts deciding the top contenders. Finalists from each subcategory will travel to Las Vegas during MJBizCon to compete for the MJBowl trophy in the overall category during the award ceremony on Thursday, December 4.
The competition entry window is currently open through Friday, October 3.
The MJBowl, a First-of-its Kind Cannabis Competition & Awards, Announces Bi-Coastal Partners
From The Bay Area to Orange County, The Artist Tree is reimagining the cannabis experience. With ten locations in California, The Artist Tree offers an immersive and one-of-a kind destination combining art galleries, lounges, event spaces, weed deliveries, and unique venues for cannabis purchase and consumption. Across the country in New York City, Gotham is the world’s first cannabis concept store, a female-founded, mission-driven brand pioneering a new era of retail. By curating premium cannabis alongside fashion, design, and lifestyle, Gotham transforms dispensaries into destinations for discovery at the crossroads of artistic expression and community impact—reframing cannabis retail as a cultural experience that is elevated and intentional.
As the official retail partners for the MJBowl, The Artist Tree and Gotham will support the MJBowl team in coordinating judges’ kits, hosting in-store appearances and meet & greets, and showcasing award winners through exclusive consumer sales and promotional events. Contestants must be licensed cannabis companies in the state where they wish to compete.
Regional MJBowl events will be held in each state, giving contestants the opportunity to meet the MJBowl partners and judges and learn more about the competition. Details for the first two events include:
- Revelry, Pier 36 NYC, Buyer’s Club, Sep 12, 12-7PM ET
- The Artist Tree, West Hollywood, CA, Sep 16, 6-9PM PT
“We’re excited to serve as the exclusive distribution partner for the MJBowl, connecting California and New York’s most innovative cannabis brands with this unique competition,” said Vince C. Ning, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Nabis. “At Nabis, we’ve always been committed to elevating exceptional products and supporting the growth of the cannabis market. The MJBowl perfectly aligns with our mission to showcase the industry’s best while celebrating a collaboration that drives innovation and quality standards across both coasts.”
“What Budist and MJBiz are doing is more than a competition — it’s a celebration of craftsmanship in cannabis that aligns with The Artist Tree’s goal of elevating the cannabis experience,” said Lauren Fontein, co-founder of The Artist Tree. “We are excited to be part of the events leading up the competition, which give us all the opportunity to promote cannabis as an important aspect of mainstream culture. We’re also happy to welcome visitors to our locations throughout California to explore and enjoy products from the MJBowl winners!”
“As pioneers of New York’s legal cannabis landscape, we believe competition sparks innovation and progress,” said Jesse Tolz, VP of Marketing at Gotham. “The MJBowl is more than a competition; it is a platform to celebrate the skill, vision, and community impact shaping this industry. As New York’s first cannabis concept store, we are proud to champion the brands redefining what cannabis can be at the crossroads of culture and commerce.”
For more details, rules and regulations surrounding MJBowl, please visit https://www.budist.com/mjbowl/ or https://mjbizconference.com/mjbiz-x-budist-partnership-for-mjbizbowl/
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2025 MJBowl Partners
ABOUT MJBiz
MJBiz is the leading B2B resource for the cannabis industry. Founded in 2011, it is the most trusted publisher and event producer serving cannabis industry entrepreneurs and investors from around the globe. MJBiz produces MJBizCon, the longest-running and largest cannabis trade show in the world. The 2015-2019 events were each named to Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 list and ranks on the Gold 100 list of largest tradeshows in the U.S. The 2025 event will return to Las Vegas December 3-5, 2025 (Pre-Show Forums December 2). The MJBiz team also produces news and analysis of the marijuana and hemp industries via MJBizDaily, MJBiz Factbook. For more information about MJBizCon or MJBiz, please visit www.MJBizCon.com and www.MJBizDaily.com.
ABOUT BUDIST
Budist is the cannabis industry’s first dedicated ratings and review platform, bringing transparency, professionalism, and community to how cannabis products are evaluated and discovered. Often called the “Wine Spectator of Cannabis,” Budist combines expert evaluations from a diverse team of trained critics with consumer reviews to deliver credible product insights across all categories. The app allows consumers to rate and review products, access expert perspectives, and discover standout brands with confidence. Budist also hosts educational and experiential events, including guided tastings, to build a community and culture of connoisseurship. For more information, visit https://www.budist.com/.
ABOUT THE ARTIST TREE
The Artist Tree reimagines cannabis retail and consumption, fusing art, culture, and community. The Artist Tree’s mission is to promote local artists and create meaningful cultural destinations that shatter cannabis stereotypes. Each Artist Tree location redefines the modern cannabis experience through interactive, gallery-inspired spaces where creativity, education, and connection come first. The Artist’s Tree team of compassionate guides help guests discover how cannabis can complement artistic inspiration, wellness, and everyday life. The Artist Tree currently operates 10 retail locations across California — including two on-site consumption lounges in West Hollywood and Hawthorne — with additional stores in California and beyond coming in 2026. The Artist Tree’s unique locations are much more than dispensaries; they are gathering places for locals, travelers, and the curious alike — where creativity thrives, and community takes root. Visit them at https://www.theartisttree.com/.
ABOUT GOTHAM
Gotham, the world’s first cannabis concept store, is a female-founded, mission-driven brand pioneering a new era of retail. Curating premium cannabis alongside fashion, design, and lifestyle, Gotham transforms dispensaries into destinations for discovery and connection. Since opening its flagship in the East Village in 2023, the brand has expanded to Hudson, Williamsburg, and most recently Chelsea—home to New York’s first cannabis-friendly art gallery—cementing its reputation as a cultural tastemaker and leading voice in the city’s creative and cannabis landscapes. Learn more at www.gotham.nyc and follow @gotham.ny for the latest products and events.
ABOUT NABIS
Nabis is the #1 licensed cannabis wholesale platform, servicing over 400 brands. Founded in 2018 by serial tech entrepreneurs Vince C. Ning and Jun S. Lee, Nabis is on a mission to build the most powerful licensed cannabis wholesale platform with a multi-channel fulfillment network that simplifies cannabis commerce for brands and retailers anywhere in the world. Nabis is the largest licensed wholesaler in the industry, having supported numerous exclusive brands and retailers transact over $1B worth of cannabis products in major states across the nation. As Nabis continues its national expansion, the privately-held multistate operator utilizes its experience in the world’s largest legal cannabis markets and offers its partners an online wholesale marketplace with best-in-class fulfillment, payment processing, financing, data analytics, and sales and marketing services to enable more brands and retailers to innovate, launch, and scale strategically. Ning and Lee’s work earned Nabis a spot on Inc. 5000’s list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America in 2023, Fast Company’s list of the 50 Most Innovative Companies in America in 2024, and on Deloitte’s Fast 500 List of Technology leaders in 2024. Learn more: nabis.com
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