After attracting more submissions than any previous year, the The Cannabis Observer Awards 2025 shortlist has been revealed, with close to 100 entries advancing to the final judging round.
In the Company of the Year category, 2024 title-holder Tasmanian Botanics will face a strong field of challengers, including Australian Natural Therapeutics Group, Humacology, Little Green Pharma, Medcan Group, Medical Cannabis Australia, RAYS Wellness and The Entourage Effect.
The Business Leader of the Year award is set to have a first-time winner this year, with executives from Cannim, Little Green Pharma, Medcan, OzMedicann Group and Tasmanian Botanics all competing for the prize.
Among the most fiercely contested categories this year are those recognising innovation, collaboration and technology, a sign that the industry is increasingly working in concert to develop better solutions for patients.
New Zealand has a strong presence in this year's shortlist, with Puro, Helius Therapeutics and Rua Bioscience all earning nominations. A number of first-time nominees also feature in what has been the program's biggest year for entries since it launched in 2023.
During the first judging round, panel members independently assessed each submission to decide which entries would progress to the next stage.
In the second round, each four-person jury will convene via video call to deliberate on the shortlisted entries before voting for the winners.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for May 22 at the Plaza Ballroom in Melbourne, with tickets going on sale from next week.
This year's event will follow an 'Oscars'-style format, beginning with a catered cocktail party before transitioning into a dedicated awards show. A special guest MC will be announced in the weeks ahead.
Alongside the shortlist announcement, the awards program welcomes new sponsors Medcan Australia, Leafio, La Feuille Wellness, Nativa Education & Consulting and Medibis, with thanks extended to them and all program partners for their support.
The full shortlist is below.
Hemp Product of the Year
Complex Q10 Serum – Cannabella
Hemp Hydration Balm – Hemp Collective
Hemp Oz Sleep Tea
Hemp Pet Performance Cookies
Indica Hemp House
The Cannabis Observer Award for Innovation
Heyday and Cann Compounding
High Science – Cannim
Humacology
MedTEC Pharma
Oz Medicann Group
Sativite
The BRIGHT Program – Australian Natural Therapeutics Group
The Patient Familiarisation Program – ECS Botanics
Best Use of Technology
Ask Sam – Oz Medicann Group
GrowerIQ
Leafio
MedTEC Pharma
MiCann App – Cann I Help
OnTracka
Puro New Zealand
Scripts by honahlee
Best Education or Engagement Initiative
AusCannaReviews
CIH Symposium – Cann I Help
Helius Therapeutics Education Portals
Hey Dr Jim – Heyday Medical
High Science – Cannim
Little Green Pharma
Medihuanna
The Australian and New Zealand College of Cannabinoid Practitioners
Clinic of the Year
Cann I Help
Greenlife Clinics
Leura Wellness
MediCann Clinics
MyLeaf
Virtu Health
Dispensary/Pharmacy of the Year
Astrid Dispensary
Cann I Help Dispensary
Dispense Direct
RAYS Wellness
Best Patient-Focused Initiative
Astrid Advocates
Compassionate Access Program – Medcan Australia
Compassionate Access Program – Rua Bioscience
COMPASS – The Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association
Start-up/Launch of the Year
Astrid Alchemy
Helius Therapeutics
Nova Therapeutics
Spring Sciences Australia
Cultivator of the Year
Green Farmers
Hale Farm
Medcan Australia
Puro New Zealand
Tasmanian Botanics
Manufacturer of the Year
Breathe Life Sciences
Medcan Australia
Tasmanian Botanics
Best Place to Work
Green Farmers
Green Life Clinics and Dispensaries
Little Green Pharma
Tasmanian Botanics
Best Industry Newcomer
Chantal King – Medcan Australia
Jessica-Li Verschoor – Plant Pharm and Green Street Dispensary
Jodie Thomas – Montu
Prescribing Healthcare Practitioner of the Year
Dr Laurence Kemp – Cann I Help
Dr Orit Holtzman – Leura Wellness
Dr Phillip Burrell – Elios Medical
Lisa Dick, Nurse Practitioner – Leura Wellness and MINT Clinic
Michelle Pitcaithly, Nurse Practitioner – The New Clinic
Nurse of the Year
Chloe Bird – Alternaleaf
Debbie Ranson – The New Clinic
Joel Green – Exotican
Sarah Harding – Cann I Help
The Cannabis Observer Award for Industry Collaboration
Cannabis Queens – Melanie Wentzel
Heyday Medical and Cann Compounding
High Science – Cannim
OnTracka and The Health Collective
Puro New Zealand and Heyday Medical
The Australian Medicinal Cannabis Symposium – United in Compassion
The Cannabis Observer Award for Industry Advancement
Arthur Wajs – Hemp Pet
Dr Teresa Nicoletti – The Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association
Medibis
Oz Medicann Group
Medical Science Liaison Team of the Year
Australian Natural Therapeutics Group
ECS Botanics
Somai Pharmaceuticals
Business Leader of the Year
Craig Cochran – Medcan Australia
Dan Howard – Tasmanian Botanics
Paul Long – Little Green Pharma
Rohit Bhuta – OzMedicann Group
Stuart Marsh – Cannim
Company of the Year
Australian Natural Therapeutics Group
Humacology
Little Green Pharma
Medcan Group
Medical Cannabis Australia
RAYS Wellness
Tasmanian Botanics
The Entourage Effect