UK Business of Cannabis Awards 2026: Our Esteemed Winners

As the sun finally dipped over London on the hottest day of the year, the buzz that had filled the Barbican throughout the first day of Cannabis Europa London 2026 moved a few streets east to 83 Rivington, as the tone shifted from debate to celebration.

The third annual Business of Cannabis Awards welcomed guests to what proved to be the most significant edition of the Awards to date. Nearly 250 entries were received from across eight countries, the most our judging panel has ever had to evaluate.

This year’s ceremony carried particular weight with the introduction of the inaugural Hannah Deacon Award, created in memory of one of the sector’s most respected and courageous patient advocates.

Presented by MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who fought alongside Hannah to change cannabis law in the UK, it was a fitting opening to an evening dedicated to the people and organisations genuinely changing lives.

Hosted with warmth and energy by Romana Testasecca, the full list of winners is below:

Hannah Deacon Award (Inaugural)​

Recognising an individual who continues Hannah Deacon’s legacy of patient advocacy, challenging stigma, and driving meaningful change with integrity and humanity.

Winner: Carola Perez, Dos Emociones & We, The Patients


Carola Perez, Winner of the Hannah Deacon Award, 2026

Cannabis Clinic of the Year​

Recognising a clinic that demonstrates outstanding care, innovation, and commitment to improving patient access and therapeutic outcomes.

Nominees:

• Medicann
• Mamedica®
• Curaleaf Clinic, UK
• Curaleaf Centrum Medyczne
• CB1 Medical
• Cantourage
• Cannabis Clinic Cardiff
• Bloomwell Group GmbH

Winner: Curaleaf Clinic, UK

International Journalist of the Year​

Celebrating the journalist delivering outstanding international cannabis coverage, driving informed discourse, and shaping global understanding of the industry.

Nominees:

• Lukas Hurt, Magazine Konopi
• Aurélien Bernard, Newsweed
• João Costa, Cannareporter
• Moritz Förster, Krautinvest
• Liam O’Dowd, Leafie
• Javier Hasse, El Planteo, High Times Magazine & Ignite It
• Jodie Yettram, Freelance Journalist
• Sara Payan, Planted with Sara Payan Podcast

Special Mentions: Jodie Yettram, for her coverage of the cannabis sector in Jersey; and Aurélien Bernard, highly commended as one of the most rigorous and independent voices covering the European cannabis industry.

Winner: Javier Hasse, High Times


Javier Hasse, Winner, International Cannabis Journalist, 2026

Cannabis Team of the Year​

Celebrating the most innovative, impactful, and high-performing team driving excellence and growth in the cannabis industry.

Nominees:

• Alphafarma Operations Ltd
• Medicann
• Tilray Brands
• Hologram Health
• Hilltop Leaf
• Curaleaf Laboratories
• Cantourage

Special Mention: Cantourage, recognised for their integrated cross-functional structure, patient-focused innovation, and industry leadership through advocacy and education.

Winner: Curaleaf Laboratories

Consumer Technology Provider of the Year​

Honouring those who have introduced technology, strategy, or product innovation that is pushing cannabis forward in bold ways.

Nominees:

• Bloomwell Group
• Medistack
• Curaleaf Clinic, UK
• Script Assist
• SVIBES UG
• Retail North Ltd
• ReceptivIQ

Special Mention: Script Assist, recognised as the strongest UK-specific submission in the category and described as the operational backbone of the UK medical cannabis prescription market.

Winner: Bloomwell Group

AgriTech Provider of the Year​

Recognising exceptional innovation in agricultural technology serving the cannabis cultivation and manufacturing sector.

Nominees:

• Fluence
• Valenveras SL
• Grower IQ
• VIST Labs

Winner: VIST Labs

Producer of the Year​

Recognising excellence and innovation in cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, sustainability, and product quality.

Nominees:

• Aurora® Cannabis Inc.
• Village Farms International
• Northern Leaf
• Dalgety
• Green Karat
• Somaí Pharmaceuticals

Winner: Village Farms International

European Company of the Year​

A prestigious award for a company or organisation making exceptional contributions to the European cannabis industry landscape.

Nominees:

• Cannabilog Ltd
• Aurora® Europe GmbH
• Paralab Green
• Somaí Pharmaceuticals LDA
• Bloomwell Group GmbH
• Curaleaf International
• Alphafarma Operations Ltd
• The (Beemine) Lab
• AliviumCBD
• Remexian Pharma
• Cantourage

Winner: Curaleaf International

Business Leader of the Year​

Celebrating visionary leadership, strategic acumen, and stand-out performance by a business leader in the cannabis industry.

Nominees:

• Gary Whipp, Medicann
• Paul Furfaro, Village Farms International
• Jon Robson, MAMEDICA
• Steven Tan, Northern Leaf
• Niklas Kouparanis, Bloomwell Group
• Karl Bartolo, Alphafarma Operations
• Michael Ponnath, Materia Deutschland GmbH
• Joshua Cuby, Niall Ivers & Gabriel Newman, Cantourage
• Raj Grover, High Tide Inc.
• Adam Windish, British Cannabis

Winner: Niklas Kouparanis, Bloomwell Group GmbH


Niklas Kouparanis, Winner, Business Leader of the Year

Industry Rising Star Award​

For an individual who has already displayed exceptional leadership qualities and an unwavering commitment to driving positive change.

Nominees:

• Berta Kaguako, Ethvida
• Josephine McFarlane, GROW
• Nicole Farah, Americana PR
• Rachel Wilson-Cannon, Somaí
• Tasha Whipp, Medicann

Winner: Nicole Farah, Americana PR


Nicole Farah, Winner, Industry Rising Star, 2026

A huge congratulations to all this year’s winners, and thank you to our partners Cielo Verde, Loomis and Script Assist, whose support makes the Awards possible.

The post Business of Cannabis Awards 2026: Our Esteemed Winners appeared first on Business of Cannabis.

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