Smash Magazine

Cannabis Awards

by Anthony Lospinoso

The 2026 Nevada Cannabis Awards Music Festival is taking place on September 26, 2026 from 2 pm to 10 pm. According to their website, they will be honoring the best Cannabis in Nevada. “Our star-studded ceremony appreciates everyone in the Cannabis industry, with an emphasis on individuals and companies that have made a difference in the Las Vegas and Nevada Cannabis community.” They promise a full day of entertainment and an awards presentation that you’ll never forget.

There are more than 100 awards given to individuals and brands in the industry. That total seems staggering but the nominations are organized into 6 primary umbrella categories.

Dispensary Products, Edibles & Drinks

Smoke Shop/Glass: Specifically for glass pieces and products.

Cultivation/Grow: Honoring the best strains.

Local Community/Services: For industry advocates, creators and public figures.

Beauty Brand/Skin Care/Topicals: Dedicated to infused cosmetics, lotions and balms

Dispensary Community & Services: Recognizing local budtenders, dispensaries and retail staff leaders.

Winning a trophy here is treated as a major achievement. Major local and multi-state brands actively celebrate their top placements because that establishes direct credibility with Vegas consumers.

The upcoming 2026 event marks the 8th Annual of its kind. The festival, founded in 2019 was made to recognize and bring together local growers, cultivators, dispensaries and brand advocates in the Las Vegas area. Since its inception, it has grown from an awards ceremony into a full scale professional convention and music block party.

The musical performances and other live acts for this year’s festival are currently under wraps. Past editions have featured varied genres spanning hip-hop, rap reggae, EDM and latino inspired music. The event usually mixes well-known regional hip-hop acts with local independent talent. In 2025, standout hip-hop artists like Las Vegas native Dizzy Wright and TKO headlined. Multiple DJ’s and producers have also been featured like DJ Bonics, John Widõmãkr and Chris Ca$h. The festival will also feature other local artists, musicians and comedians. There will be live public speakers and brand showcases mixed in as well.

If you are a first time attendee, you should know that this is a massive block party and industry convention. This is not a casual consumer expo. You cannot consume cannabis on the festival grounds. It’s truly a mix of a trade show and a concert.

During the day, you will find dozens of brand activations, local vendor booths, custom glass blowing and food trucks. This will be a massive networking hub for budtenders, growers and brand owners. At night, the outdoor stage will host live music sets while the actual awards will be handed out inside.

If you live in Las Vegas or love the local scene, this is where you will find the best of the best according to local voting. The winners are chosen by public vote, essentially making this a trusted “best-of” guide for the state’s cannabis scene. The city and state’s dispensaries, strains and products with the best reputations will be on display.

Tickets are on sale now. General Admission is $42 which includes access to all of the live entertainment, awards presentation, food trucks and brand activation. There is a VIP Admission for $100 and that adds full-festival access, entry to a private second-level VIP area, special attractions and a VIP swag bag valued over $100. The event is strictly 21+ and there will be bars both inside and outside to serve attendees throughout the day.

This has become somewhat of the ultimate “Industry Night” for staff. The organizers frequently offer free general admission to local dispensary staff and budtenders who show their state agent cars.

Past fans and attendees have described the atmosphere as welcoming and family like with strong community vibrations. Past festivals have brought together highly diverse crowds–ranging from glass artists and extractors to local tattoo artists, chefs and advocates. This year should be no different. If you are looking for a fun day and night, come down and rub elbows with the most respected people in the cannabis industry.