In response to multiple requests, the entry portal for the The Cannabis Observer Awards 2024 will stay open until midnight tonight.
Although submissions have been coming in steadily, the recent ACannabis conference clashing with the original deadline — combined with the approaching Easter break — left a number of potential entrants caught short.
After tonight's closing time, all submissions will be forwarded to the judging panel for shortlisting.
Entries can be uploaded via this link.
In addition, Legalise Cannabis WA MP Sophia Moermond and international medicinal cannabis authority Deepak Anand have both been added to the judging panel.
Anand is the principal at ASDA Consultancy Services. He previously founded and led Materia Ventures as CEO, served as a board director with The Valens Company, and held senior positions at Deloitte, Zenabis, and the Canadian National Medical Marijuana Association (CNMMA).
He currently sits on several boards across the international cannabis sector, spanning not-for-profit, advocacy, and patient-focused organisations.
Moermond was elected to WA's Legislative Council as the Legalise Cannabis member for the South West region in 2021.
Originally from the Netherlands, she lived in South Africa before moving to Australia in 1983 and making her home in WA. A trained nurse, she is actively engaged on issues relating to health, the environment, women's rights, and animal welfare.
MedReleaf Australia has also come on board as a new gold sponsor of the awards.
Co-founder and chief growth officer Martin Lane said: "We are delighted to round out our jury with two big names in Deepak and Sophia. I saw Deepak speak at the ACannabis conference recently and his knowledge of the sector shone through. And Sophia is a tireless campaigner and a trailblazer for cannabis representation in the WA parliament.
"We are also very grateful to our new sponsor, MedReleaf Australia – one of the industry's biggest success stories – and to all our commercial partners, without whom the awards wouldn't happen."
For more information about the The Cannabis Observer Awards for Australia and New Zealand 2024, email lo***@**********om.au.
