2026 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients Announced
Grow Up Vancouver 2026 is proud to recognize four outstanding leaders whose lifelong contributions have shaped the cannabis industry across advocacy, publishing, retail, and professional services.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are:
Don Briere (WEEDS)
Carol Gwilt (WEEDS)
John Conroy (Conroy & Company)
Jodie Giesz-Ramsay (Cannabis Culture)
Together, these pioneers represent the roots and evolution of legal cannabis in Canada — from early community-driven education and media, to building trusted legal, retail, and cultural institutions.
Each of these honourees has played a unique role in legitimizing cannabis, protecting patient and consumer rights, and fostering an industry that now supports thousands of jobs across the country.
The awards will be presented live on the High North Main Stage on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as part of the Grow Up Industry Awards Gala.
2:45 PM – Don Briere, Carol Gwilt & Jodie Giesz-Ramsay
4:15 PM – John Conroy
Join us in celebrating the leaders who built the foundation that today’s cannabis industry stands on.
Carol Gwilt — WEEDS®
Carol Gwilt is a pioneer in Canada’s cannabis movement and co-owner of WEEDS®, a network of legal cannabis stores in British Columbia. Her journey began in 2003 with the Da Kine Smoke & Beverage Shop, a landmark retailer that helped spark public conversation around legalization. A lifelong advocate for quality, integrity, and access, Carol has played a key role in guiding cannabis from legacy culture into the regulated era. Today, she continues to champion informed, responsible cannabis through entrepreneurship, education, and community engagement.
Don Briere — WEEDS®
Don Briere is a legendary figure in Canadian cannabis and co-owner of WEEDS®. A former grower turned industry leader, Don has spent decades advancing cannabis advocacy, business, and reform. His work helped bridge the gap between prohibition and legalization, inspiring a generation of cannabis entrepreneurs. He continues to promote integrity, innovation, and accessibility across the legal cannabis marketplace.
Jodie Giesz-Ramsay — Cannabis Culture
Jodie Giesz-Ramsay is a high-profile advocate for cannabis law reform and civil liberties. Since 2009, she has led Cannabis Culture Magazine, Pot TV, and Cannabis Culture Headquarters, shaping cannabis media, retail, and activism in Canada. For more than 20 years, she has campaigned for fair cannabis laws through political advocacy, public speaking, and global media. Her current projects include the Cannabis Culture Collection and FAIR Cannabis, a nonpartisan organization working to improve cannabis regulations nationwide.
John Conroy, KC — Conroy & Company
John Conroy is one of Canada’s most influential legal advocates for civil liberties and cannabis law reform. A lawyer since 1972, he has led landmark cannabis cases that helped establish patient rights and ultimately shaped Canada’s legalization framework. Founder of NORML Canada and co-founder of the BC Compassion Club Society, his work has left a lasting impact on cannabis law, human rights, and public policy.
