Weed Gravy, a High-Tech Vaporizer, and Activist Farm Art Win Grand Clios at Clio Cannabis

Charlotte's Web, Kiva Confections and Puffco all won Grand Clios at the second annual Clio Cannabis Awards, held virtually on Thursday, while PAX Labs Inc. and Superette picked up Golds.

The awards were held during the Emerge Virtual Cannabis Conference. A total of 43 entries received trophies, while another 29 more were shortlisted. In addition, Snoop Dogg was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Last Prisoner Project, dedicated to freeing every prisoner of the war on drugs—starting with 40,000 people in jail for cannabis offenses now legal in most states—was honored with the Impact Award.

See more about the Grand and Gold winners below.

Charlotte's Web | Trust the Earth Farm Art

Entrant Company: Charlotte's Web
Design Company: Studio Number One

Charlotte's Web, the CBD brand, picked up a Grand Clio in Partnerships & Collaborations for its 76-acre sized art installation, designed by Shepard Fairey and his team at Studio Number One, that was carved into a Kansas wheat field.

Through its ongoing "Trust the Earth" platform, the brand wanted to continue igniting a national conversation for the need for open access to hemp. The 3-million-square foot activation was complemented by an online hub, TrusttheEarth.com, where people could learn more about the cause and contact their legislators.

The farm installation garnered more than 250 million earned media impressions and contributed to a 30 percent increase in aided and unaided brand awareness.

Kiva Confections | It's All Gravy

Entrant Company: Kiva Confections
Public Relations Agency: Autumn Communications

Kiva Confections, the maker of weed edibles, concocted an irresistible PR stunt for Thanksgiving in 2019, launching a limited-edition, fast-acting cannabis-infused turkey gravy, available for purchase in select dispensaries throughout Southern California.

Kiva developed the product in just six weeks. The main objective was to drive buzz and awareness around the brand leading up to gift-giving season.

As a result of the stunt, Kiva says it garnered some 1.3 billion media and social impressions online media, social and broadcast, including mentions on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Buzzfeed, Thrillist, AdAge, Fox Business, HighSnobiety, Forbes, Maxim and more. 

The unique product successfully introduced the Kiva Confections brand to nationwide consumers on mass scale while reinforcing the brand's notoriety of being the No. 1-selling edibles brand in California.

Puffco | The Puffco Peak Pro

Entrant Company: Puffco

The Puffco Peak Pro, a device for vaporizing cannabis concentrates, is both gorgeously designed and a physical/digital engineering marvel—offering the most consistent and controlled dab experience ever.

Its app-enabled controls include a myriad of options, including dozens of custom heat profiles. It also comes with LED lights that offer four unique light patterns. The combination of functionality and design is unparalleled in the space.

PAX Labs, Inc. | Dennis: The Man Who Legalized Cannabis

Entrant Company: PAX Labs, Inc.

This 20-minute documentary, winner of a Gold Clio, tells the story of activist and businessman Dennis Peron, an iconic figure in the movement for the legalization of cannabis throughout the 1990s. It focuses on the stigma, opposition and adversity he overcame through his determination to legalize cannabis as medicine, and the important role he played in the larger movement.

With the cinema launch postponed due to Covid-19, PAX held a virtual opening, followed by an interactive panel featuring key players of the movement. The documentary screened virtually at the Mill Valley Film Festival, The London Cannabis Film Festival, and Out on Film-Atlanta, plus more. During Pride month, PAX retailers activated with screening events and promotions, raising awareness for a chosen LGBTQ+ partner, the GLBT Historical Society. An additional $10,000 was raised through pax.com sales.

Superette Toronto Flagship

Entrant Company: Superette
Brand: Superette

Superette picked up a Gold Clio for the design of its Toronto flagship location. The brand leaned into design elements you would find at a bodega, grocery store and diner. A custom scent wall displaying different strains resembles picking fresh flowers, and custom fridge and freezers are stocked with accessories and apparel. By the budtender bar, there is a direct line to Rosedale diner to order munchies. Every corner of the shop is "thoughtfully merchandised to surprise and delight customers," Superette says.

In addition to the Grands and Golds, 10 Silver Clios were awarded Thursday. Kiva Confections won three (for other work beyond the weed gravy), and Puffco won one for a Black Lives Matter initiative. The other Silver winners were Arnold Worldwide, Higher Ground, Wick & Mortar, Artisans on Fire, and Loop Labs LLC.

Bronze Clios were awarded to 27 entries. Weedmaps won three. Winning two Bronzes were Arnold, Artisans on Fire, Cresco Labs, Green Thumb Industries, Kiva Confections, Mattio Communications, Puffco and Rethink. Winning single Bronze Clios were Besito, Born & Bred, Charlotte's Web, Essential Good, Papa & Barkley, Stranger X, Tree-Rolls Hemp Company, and Zerotrillion.

See all the winners at the Clio Cannabis site.