Mississippi Budtender Awards Annual Awards & Competition
Draft Pool Now Open

The MBA
League

The first franchise-based competitive league for cannabis professionals in the nation. Education, professionalism, patient care, and team identity — built for the budtenders who take this work seriously.

June 1
Draft Pool Opens
July 14
Declaration Deadline
Aug 16
Virtual Draft Night
February
Team Mixer
April 23
Championship
What Is the MBA League

A New Kind
of Recognition

The MBA League is a franchise-based competitive ecosystem purpose-built around four pillars: education, professionalism, patient care, and team identity. Rooted in Mississippi's growing cannabis industry, the MBA League exists to elevate the profession of budtending.

Declared budtenders become official prospects, get profile cards shared with franchise owners, and compete for a roster spot in Mississippi's first professional cannabis league. This is not a participation award. It is a season-long commitment to the craft.

01
Education
Product knowledge, compliance, and patient care on full display every round.
02
Professionalism
Representing yourself, your dispensary, and your franchise at the highest level.
03
Patient Care
Every challenge, every round, every question is centered on the patient.
04
Team Identity
Drafted, rostered, and playing for something bigger than yourself.
How It Works

From Declaration
to Championship

01
Declare for the Draft
Complete your official declaration before July 14th. Your profile is built entirely from what you submit — fill it out completely. This becomes your prospect card shared with every franchise owner before draft night.
02
Get Your Profile Card
The league creates an official Budtender Profile Card from your submission. These cards go to all franchise owners before draft night so they can make informed selections.
03
Build Your Draft Stock
Once franchise teams are announced, promote yourself on social media and reach out to owners directly. Build your brand. Make your case. The draft is earned before draft night ever starts.
04
Virtual Draft Night — August 16
The draft takes place virtually on August 16, 2026. You do not need to attend in person. If drafted, you will be invited to join the live stream. Employment must be active and verified on draft night. You are still eligible if you switch dispensaries before the draft.
05
Play the Season
Franchise owners set team practice schedules with flexibility in mind. Your first responsibility is always serving patients. Participation in the February team mixer is expected for all drafted players.
06
April 23 — Championship
Preliminary rounds are held earlier in the day. The top 3 teams advance to the final round that evening at the Mississippi Budtender Awards ceremony. In person. Required for all drafted players.
Official Rules

Draft Eligibility
& Guidelines

Click any section to expand. Read all rules before completing your declaration. By submitting, you confirm you have read and agree to these guidelines in full.

Eligibility Requirements +
Must be currently employed at a licensed Mississippi dispensary.
Must be in good standing with your employer at the time of the draft.
Must declare using the official form before the deadline of July 14, 2026.
Must complete your profile in full when declaring. This becomes your official prospect card shared with all franchise owners.
Must be available to participate in league activities throughout the season.
Must represent yourself and your dispensary with professionalism at all league functions.
How the Process Works +
Complete the official declaration form. The league creates a Budtender Profile Card from your submitted information.
Profile cards are shared with all franchise owners to review before the draft.
Once franchise teams are announced, declared budtenders are encouraged to build their draft stock on social media and reach out to owners directly.
The draft takes place virtually on August 16, 2026. Budtenders do not need to attend in person. If drafted, you will be invited to join the live stream.
Employment must be active and verified on draft night. You are still eligible if you switch dispensary employers before the draft.
Season Timeline +
June 1 — Draft pool opens.
July 14 — Declaration deadline. No late submissions.
August 16 — Virtual draft night.
February — Team mixer, in person, location TBA. Participation expected for all drafted players.
April 23 — Preliminary rounds earlier in the day. Top 3 teams compete in the final round at the Mississippi Budtender Awards ceremony that evening. In person. Required.
What to Expect During the Season +
Franchise owners set their own team practice schedules. Owners have been asked to be creative and flexible, keeping in mind that a budtender's first responsibility is serving patients.
Participation in the team mixer in February is expected.
All drafted players must be present for April 23rd preliminary rounds and, if their team advances, the final round at the awards ceremony.
Important Notes +
Declaring does not guarantee selection. The draft is competitive.
Drafted players represent their franchise team for the full season.
Being drafted does not conflict with your role at your dispensary.
You are still eligible to participate if you switch dispensary employers before the draft.
Deadline: July 14, 2026

Ready to
Declare?

Draft pool is open June 1 through July 14, 2026. Complete every field. This becomes your official prospect card shared with all franchise owners before draft night.