(BURLINGTON, VERMONT) For the first time, attendees at the NECANN Vermont Cannabis Convention will be able to view, smell, and vote on their favorite cannabis flower at the inaugural, “Best in Show” cannabis competition presented by Cannatrol.

The new competition takes place over the two-day convention (Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9) and allows exhibitors to submit up to six entries across nine total categories. There is no cost for exhibitors to participate in the Best in Show competition.

Convention attendees will act as judges, examining the entries at each respective booth and voting on their favorites using a paper ballot. Ballots will then be manually counted to determine the first and second place winners. First place winners will receive a custom, “Best in Show” rosette ribbon, a chance to win a Cannatrol Cool Cure unit, and the all-important annual bragging rights.

Organizer Eli Harrington says that unlike a larger competition with hand-picked judges and anonymized samples, this is a snapshot of the best products on the legal Vermont market democratically-determined.

“When you’re talking about a cannabis competition, it’s always about fairness and tegridy. Winning a cannabis competition has real market implications, so it has to be earned in a fair and transparent process.

This is a fun competition format because it’s truly open: put your bud on the table and we’ll see it, smell it, and choose our favorites” 

The ‘Best in Show’ competition is the first compliant cannabis competition in Vermont to feature licensed cannabis establishments. It comes one year after the failed “Weedchuck Cannabis Cup”, which was cancelled by the organizers due to legal concerns.

Harrington says that this new “Best in Show” competition is only possible because the Vermont Cannabis Control Board (CCB) recently clarified and specified the process allowing products to be displayed at cannabis events.

This year’s “Best in Show” competition has been vetted and approved by the CCB, which Harrington credits to state regulators for continuing the dialogue.

“It’s a challenge to build a compliant cannabis competition, but we’ve seen the CCB and industry advocates continue to advance event policy every year.

This (the convention) is where the industry and community gather naturally, just like it’s an ideal setting to launch products and companies, it’s an ideal spot to launch a cannabis competition”

The Vermont Cannabis Convention takes place Friday, May 8 from 2:30pm to 6:30pm and Saturday, May 9, from 10am to 3pm at the Doubletree by Hilton in Burlington. Single day tickets and weekend passes available now atnecann.com/vermont or at the door. 

About the Vermont Cannabis Convention:

The Vermont Cannabis Convention is the state’s premier cannabis industry event, bringing together businesses, consumers, and advocates for a two-day showcase of products, services, and educational programming. 

The convention covers all aspects of cannabis culture, from cultivation and cultivation techniques to legal and medical considerations, and serves as a key platform for networking and professional development within Vermont’s cannabis community.

The Vermont Cannabis Convention is presented by Higher Elevation. Additional sponsors include Vermont Federal Credit Union, White River GrowPro, CannaPlanners, Ledyard Bank, Highly Rooted, Magic Mann, Somewhere on the Mountain, and Seven Days.

Where: The Doubletree by Hilton, 870 Williston Road South Burlington, VT 05403

When: Friday, May 8 – 2:30pm – 6:30pm Saturday, May 9, 2026 / 10:00am – 3:00pm

Contact: Eli Harrington, 802-424-7642 // eli@necann.com

For more information, visit http://www.necann.com/vermont