Las Vegas Weekly is proud to once again advocate for one of Southern Nevada’s most dynamic and exciting industries with the Cannabis Awards. The business and culture of cannabis is growing and diversifying quickly, and our expert panel of judges is keeping the community on top of the latest trends and developments while acknowledging local excellence. With thanks to their efforts and our gracious sponsor Deep Roots Harvest, Las Vegas Weekly happily presents the 2024 Cannabis Awards.

Best Dispensary (State Choice) — Deep Roots Harvest

Three locations in the Valley, deeprootsharvest.com

Since launching out of Mesquite in 2015, Deep Roots Harvest has expanded with dispensaries throughout the state and more recently, storefronts in the Las Vegas area, establishing itself as a cornerstone of the local cannabis industry. Its motto is “every harvest tells a story,” and the entire staff is dedicated to sharing that story and the vast capabilities of cannabis with the world. Its Nevada-grown cannabis has long been touted as a unique experience for patients and recreational users, and the community appreciates how Deep Roots distinguishes itself with active outreach and offering specialized topical products designed for effective pain management. Whether customers are interested in the latest cutting-edge products, how to utilize cannabis for sleep, or the science behind cultivation and consumption, Deep Roots is ready to share. And it has truly deepened local roots by partnering with smaller organizations often overlooked by bigger charity efforts, and by donating to schools, children’s programs, food drives and more.

Best Dispensary (Local Choice) — ShowGrow

4850 S. Fort Apache Road, showgrow.com/vegas

The Cannabis Awards judging panel recognizes ShowGrow for having an elite, friendly and knowledgeable staff; an amazing rewards program; a consistent inventory and selection; and absolute ease and convenience whether you’re ordering online and picking up at the 24-hour store near the 215 and Tropicana, or having your cannabis delivered to your home between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The team at ShowGrow understands that local consumers have varying interests, habits and lifestyles, and that’s why they bend over backwards to share information about new and diverse products and innovations to always enhance the experience. And the menu is constantly refined, based on direct customer feedback, much of which comes from regulars taking advantage of a peerless rewards program with special perks.

Best Dispensary (Philanthropic Choice) — Tree of Life

1437 N. Jones Blvd., 150 E. Centennial Parkway #114, treeoflifenv.com

Call it compassionate cannabis: Tree of Life donates 70% of all profits to charitable causes. Those can include Volunteers In Medicine of Southern Nevada, The Ability Center, The LGBTQIA+ Community Center of Southern Nevada and several others, and the company’s Round Up For Change program inspires customers to donate a little bit more with each purchase to go a longer way in the community. Making it even easier to give back is Tree of Life’s friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff, great deals and steady low prices, comprehensive menu and simple and fun reward program. When you visit, remember: cash only.

Industry Innovator — Chamber of Cannabis

cofclv.org

Founded during the COVID pandemic by a group of women leaders, the nonprofit Chamber of Cannabis is focused on strengthening commerce, building relationships with political and regulatory officials and positively impacting the community. In its first year, the chamber passed consumption lounge and DUI reform by collaborating with industry stakeholders, and in 2023 helped usher the passing of Senate Bill 277 that more than doubled purchase limits for cannabis flower and concentrate, also allowing operators to have dual medical and recreational licenses and creating more options for patients. The chamber’s innovative and inclusive approach marks a significant departure from conventional business practices in cannabis and fosters a more equitable and diverse industry landscape. This young organization has pushed boundaries and championed forward-thinking legislation that positions Nevada as a rightful trailblazer.

Best Brand — Green Life Productions

greenlifeproductionsnv.com

True innovators, Pahrump-based Green Life Productions is the longest running and oldest indoor commercial no-till living soil facility on the planet. From the company’s inception, the goal has always been to serve Nevadans with organic cannabis cultivated in dynamic living systems, with a commitment to making indoor agriculture as sustainable as possible. Our judges have tried all GLP products and note they are fantastic in freshness, taste, quality, terpene profile and consistency; it’s the cleanest weed grown in Nevada. And master grower Steve Cantwell shares his knowledge and expertise with anyone who wants to learn, demonstrating that commitment to advancing quality industrywide.

Best Hybrid — Polaris Head Cheese

This one does it all—relieves migraines, helps with pain, nausea and anxiety. Sativa-dominant with pine and lemon notes and a near-instant cerebral buzz, Head Cheese—a mix of Headband and Cheese strains—has reported THC levels ranging from 19% to 26% and made High Times’ list of Strongest Strains on Earth.

Best Indica — Limoncello

This recognizable strain comes with steady, dependable highs that last, also offering a calming focus that makes for a relaxing sleep. The pine-ish terpene profile is unlike anything else, and the citrus and cherry flavors and lemon, herb and flowery aromatics combine for an unforgettable experience.

Best Sativa — Nature’s Chemistry Ghost Train Haze Diamond Exclusive

The terpinolene is off the chart, the smell is intoxicating, and the buds break up easily in your fingers—no grinder required. This unusually potent sativa is known for its tropical fruit flavors and for putting you in a happy, focused mood, “great for the creative and exploratory mind.” The Ghost Train Haze is the winner of multiple U.S. High Times Cannabis Cups and our judges believe it is truly the best sativa flower on the market—and readily available at many Las Vegas dispensaries.

Best Edible — Sip Elixirs

Each bottle of Sip’s liquid cannabis beverages is infused with a pure THC distillate and naturally-derived terpenes, both designed to complement the flavor and the effect. Thus far, cannabis drinks are not known for providing the desired effects with great taste, but Sip Elixirs are changing that—seven flavors, four effects, dose them on their own or mix them up to make tasty cannabis cocktails. And a new lineup of flavors is coming soon, so get ready for an expanded experience.

Best Concentrate — Matrix Live Resin Ripper

Live resin retains a higher concentration of terpenes, resulting in a robust and flavorful experience and a more potent and well-rounded high. Matrix was one of the first companies to bring this product to Nevada, and this disposable consistently brings flavor and effects that exceed expectations. Nice pricing makes this even more of a heavy hitter.

Best Budtender — Josh Cline at Planet 13

2548 W. Desert Inn Road #100, planet13.com

Josh Cline moved to Las Vegas from Charlotte, North Carolina, and is dedicated to informing Planet 13’s visitors about all cannabis can do to improve their lives and alleviate stress. He’s ready to answer all questions and inspire some new inquiries. Cline is always up on the latest trends and products, a team player who knows what’s happening in the local industry all around him, and is always armed with a smile.

Best Topical — Escape Artists

Brand-new to the local market, Escape Artists’ THC relief creams are medical-grade products that offer a unique water-soluble formula that penetrates the skin more efficiently than oil-based topicals, and they bring fast relief whether you’re recovering from exercise or just managing aches and pains. You won’t get an intoxicating effect from cannabis topicals, but you will feel your tension drift away while enjoying the aromatherapy.

Meet the Judges

Kaila Fehringer, Retail Buyer Deep Roots Harvest

Born-and-raised Las Vegas native Kaila Fehringer knew she wanted to seek out a career in the industry as soon as Nevada voters elected to legalize recreational consumption in 2016. When she’s not enjoying music at an R&B or rap concert or an EDM festival, she’s studying up on the fast-moving trends in cannabis. “I love the culture behind the cannabis industry and being able to share my passion with like-minded individuals, along with familiarizing myself with all the brands and products in the Nevada market and how they differ from those in other states.” That effort is demonstrated in her work at Deep Roots Harvest, but she’s just getting started. “Later down the road, I hope to make a change in sustainability within the cannabis community by eventually implementing a legal way to recycle all jars and mylars used by our industry, starting in Nevada.”

Christian Parkes, General Manager - Blue Diamond Deep Roots Harvest

Avid outdoorsman, mountain biker and hiker Christian Parkes was working in residential treatment in the medical field when he took notice of so many prescription pills being pushed on patients when cannabis or alternative medicines could have presented a meaningful and effective alternative. “I have a strong belief in cannabis and its medical properties and loved combining my passion for helping people and cannabis.” He started in the new industry as a budtender and worked his way up to management thanks to an organized mindset and a dedication to customer service, and believes the sky is truly the limit for this industry in Las Vegas and across the country. “It’s been amazing seeing the growth and general comfort level around cannabis change throughout the Vegas Valley,” he says. “I cannot wait to see what happens in the future with cannabis and I love being a part of an ever-changing and growing industry.”

Morgan Martin, General Manager, ShowGrow

Morgan Martin had just moved back to her hometown Las Vegas from Reno when a friend referred a budtender gig as a “second job.” That quickly turned into a career as inventory manager and then general manager at ShowGrow, the closest dispensary to Summerlin. “It’s exhilarating to be on the ground floor of something and inventing and figuring out what the best processes and practices are,” she says. “Whether its regulation changes, a global pandemic or license politics, having to stay innovative and creative is what keeps me interested in the day-to-day.” When not innovating, she can be found entertaining fur babies Lacey and Leo, being the cool aunt to four little humans, or covered in paint and sawdust while working on another woodworking or DIY design project.

Tina Ulman, Co-CEO, The Grow Up Co-Op and Co-Founder and President, The Chamber of Cannabis

Detroit-born UNLV graduate Tina Ulman knew she wanted to change the broken system of drug enforcement since she was 10 years old. “I spent 20 years visiting my family members in prison for a non-violent drug offense,” she says. “Everything I learned prior to entering cannabis prepared me for what I am doing today.” Continuing to learn people’s stories about how this plant improved people’s lives is her favorite part of working in the industry, along with a natural spirit of collaboration. And with significant dual roles in the local community, she’s maximizing her ability to affect change. “From commerce, to justice, to professional growth, I am at my best when I know my actions are making a positive impact for humanity. I am still striving to make my parents and 10-year-old self proud. If I know I am doing that, everything else will fall in line as it should.”

Dani Baranowski, Co-CEO & Co-Founder, The Grow Up Co-Op

No surprises here: Dani Baranowski’s first professional experiences were in tourism and hospitality, and somehow, she ended up in Las Vegas. “I was slinging drinks and teaching scuba diving all over the world and saw the cannabis industry exploding—without me,” she says. “I was drawn to the opportunity to build an industry from scratch.” She joined an advocacy group in search of friends in a new city and found a group of talented, ambitious people just like her, and those relationships evolved into the founding of the Chamber of Cannabis, Nevada’s largest cannabis business trade organization, and last year’s creation of The Grow Up Co-Op, a sales and marketing collective. “We have all kept up that momentum and worked hard on the advocacy and business side of things to create the best cannabis market in the country, right here,” she says. Somewhere, Baranowski finds the time and energy to be a competitive cyclist.

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