TWO years ago many people would have likely whispered stories about their use of cannabis and cannabis products, but founder of the Herbees Awards Quilin Achat, also known as Empress Q, said much has changed.

"Many people would consider use of cannabis as a last resort for pain management while undergoing cancer treatment for example, but things have changed."

Herbees Awards, held in April, in San Fernando, was the first annual event initiated to highlight entreprenuers in the cannabis industry who are making their marks and helping to pave the way for a budding local industry.

The entrepreneur from San Fernando said, "It was created to not only highlight those in the industry but to also unify people who make up the industry."

The categories for awards were Bess Indoor Grow, Bess Outdoor grow, Bess Edibles, Cannapreneur of the year and Weed Warrior of the year.

"Canapreneur of the year is the award given to the cannabis entrepreneur who was voted to have made a great positive impact in the industry and the weed warrior award recognises someone who championed the cause through activism. The other two categories are self-explanatory."

Nominations and winners of the awards were decided based on votes made via social media platform Instagram.

While Achat intends to have the community vote, she hopes in the future to add an outreach element to the award and its related events, including people from all walks of life who are interested in learning more about cannabis, the origins of its use, health benefits and products now available in markets where they are regulated – and how they have contributed to the holistic well-being of consumers.

"We want people who are not online to also be in the know."

To qualify, people were asked to enter using their social media user name or the username of the cannabis business on Instagram. "Planters were asked to post videos talking about the strain, how long they grew the plant, and what nutrients were used. Content people were asked to supply were three pictures and a one-minute video for evidence of how much they knew about their plant. The same approach was used for nominees in the Bess Edibles and Cannapreneur of the year."

Achat said two to three nominees were selected for each category this year, but she looks forward to seeing more nominees and voters in the coming years.

"People reached out even after the event was held expressing interest, which indicates the event's potential for growth."

Planning for next year has already begun with the call for nominations which will open in March 2023.

[caption id="attachment_966790" align="alignnone" width="576"] Winner of Bess Indoor Grow @outside_trichomes -[/caption]

"Entries close on March 20, followed by judging on April 20."

April 20, generally referred to as 420, is internationally celebrated as cannabis day where activists and users of marijuana part-take and seek to educate on the benefits of using cannabis and cannabis products.

"Even before December 23, 2019, when cannabis was decriminalised