March Madness Doobie Derbie
The Ultimate Pre-Roll Championship
March Madness isn’t just for brackets and buzzer-beaters this year—it’s for perfect burns, smooth pulls, and elite craftsmanship. Vibe Marketing & Events is proud to present the March Madness Doobie Derbie, a multi-week pre-roll competition designed to spotlight the best dispensary-made pre-rolls in the region.
This event celebrates the artistry behind rolling—whether done by hand or machine—and honors the dispensaries that consistently deliver an exceptional smoking experience from spark to finish.
About the Competition
The March Madness Doobie Derbie is a privately judged, community-driven contest that evaluates pre-rolls on the qualities that truly matter to consumers. Entries are sampled over an extended judging period, allowing for thoughtful evaluation and real-world testing—not rushed impressions.
Dispensaries may enter one or both categories, giving brands the opportunity to showcase different production styles and techniques.
Entry Categories
Hand-Rolled Pre-Roll – Celebrating traditional craftsmanship, attention to detail, and artisanal technique.
Machine-Rolled Pre-Roll – Highlighting consistency, precision, and modern production excellence.
Each category will be judged independently and crowned with its own champion.
Judging Criteria
All entries will be evaluated using a standardized scorecard focused on the full consumer experience. Judges will score each pre-roll on the following criteria:
- Appearance – Roll quality, structure, and visual appeal
- Aroma – Smell before lighting and during burn
- Burn Quality – Evenness, ash integrity, and consistency
- Flavor & Smoothness – Taste profile and comfort on inhale
- Overall Experience – Balance, enjoyment, and session satisfaction
Judging takes place over several weeks to ensure fairness, consistency, and meaningful feedback.
Winners will be notified prior to the awards event.
March Madness Doobie Derbie
The March Madness Doobie Derbie judging process is designed to be fair, thoughtful, and experience driven. Judges play a critical role in determining the champions, and we’re looking for individuals who value quality, consistency, and craftsmanship in pre-rolls.
Judging takes place over an extended period to allow for real-world sampling—not rushed opinions.
Judge Registration Information
Cost
Judging passes cost $20 for Vibe Tribe Members and $25 for Non-Members and included entry into the awards ceremony on April 11th.
*State law mandates that all products must be legally sold. Cost for each judging sample is $0.50
Who Can Judge?
Judges must meet the following criteria:
- 21+ years of age
- Comfortable evaluating cannabis flower and pre-roll products
- Willing to complete assigned scorecard by the deadline
- Able to pick up judging materials in person
- Committed to impartial, honest, and thoughtful evaluations
Industry professionals and experienced consumers are welcome unless otherwise specified.
Judging Format & Process
When Can I Pick Up My Judging Packet?
Judges can pick up their judging Kit between February 25-28, From 5-9pm at Vibe Marketing & Events 1147 Grand Ave. Billings – ONLY 75 Judging Kits AVAILABLE!
When Does Judging Start?
Judging will take place between March 1 and March 28, 2026.
When Does Judging End?
All judging packets must be completed and turned in no later than March 28, 8pm to be accepted.
Registered judges will:
- Pick up their official judging scorecard packet from Vibe Marketing & Events
- Sample assigned pre-roll entries during the judging window
- Score each entry independently using the official criteria
- Submit completed scorecards by the required deadline
Judging Criteria
Each pre-roll will be evaluated using a standardized scorecard based on the following categories:
- Appearance – Roll quality, consistency, and presentation
- Aroma – Pre-light and during burn
- Burn Quality – Evenness, ash, and structural integrity
- Flavor & Smoothness – Taste, harshness, and overall comfort
- Overall Experience – Balance, enjoyment, and session quality
Judges are encouraged to take notes and evaluate entries across multiple sessions when possible.
Scorecards & Deadlines
- Last Day to Pick Up Scorecards: March 21, 2026
- Judges’ Scorecards Due: March 28, 2026 by 8:00 PM (no exceptions)
Incomplete or late scorecards will result in disqualification of that judge’s scores.
Judge Expectations & Responsibilities
By registering, judges agree to:
- Evaluate all assigned entries fairly and independently
- Avoid sharing results, opinions, or rankings publicly before winners are announced
- Follow all local and state cannabis laws
- Submit scorecards on time and in full
Judge Perks
As a thank-you for their time and expertise, judges receive:
- Free Access to the awards event on April 11
- Recognition and thanks at the awards event
- Assorted Event Swag
Awards & Recognition
Champions will be officially recognized with trophies during our March Madness Awards Ceremony:
Awards Ceremony
Judges are encouraged to attend the March Madness Doobie Derbie Awards Ceremony:
April 11, 2026, 7:00–10:00 PM at Vibe Marketing & Events
This is where champions are crowned and the madness officially concludes.
Interested in becoming a judge?
Important Dates & Timeline
- Judge Sampling Period: March 1 – March 28
- Last Day for Judges to Pick Up Scorecards: March 21
- Judges’ Scorecards Due: March 28 by 8:00 PM
- Awards Ceremony: April 11, 2026 | 7–10 PM
Winning dispensaries will receive:
- Category Champion Award
- Event & Social Media Promotion across Vibe platforms
- Complimentary Tickets to a Future Vibe Event
- Rights to Promote Placement, including the use of titles such as
“March Madness Pre-Roll Champion”This recognition is designed to extend well beyond the event—giving winners lasting marketing value and community visibility.
Let the rolls speak for themselves.
Let the judges decide.
Let the madness begin.
Meet the 2026 March Madness Doobie Derbie Contestants
Get ready, Billings — the competition is officially heating up! We are beyond excited to announce the powerhouse lineup of dispensaries stepping into the spotlight for this year’s March Madness Doobie Derbie. These industry leaders are bringing their finest craftsmanship, creativity, and rolling skills to the table, all competing for bragging rights and the ultimate title. Each contestant represents the passion and innovation driving Montana’s cannabis community, and we can’t wait for you to see what they’ve rolled up for this unforgettable showdown.
Billings’ dispensaries go head-to-head in a battle of craftsmanship, quality, and rolling expertise. Get to know the competitors bringing their best to this year’s showdown.
Chronic Caregivers
Serving Montana Since 2009
A trusted name in Montana cannabis for over a decade, Chronic Caregivers is proudly locally owned and family operated. Known for their commitment to quality, they carefully source exceptional products from cultivators across the state to ensure customers always have access to some of Montana’s finest offerings. Their longevity speaks to their reliability — and their passion for serving the community shines through in everything they do.
Experience matters… and Chronic Caregivers brings plenty of it to the competition.
Natural Wellness
Veteran Owned • Organic Focused • Community Driven
Natural Wellness combines strong local roots with a mission-driven approach to cannabis. As a veteran-owned business, they prioritize integrity, education, and wellness while offering an all- organic selection customers can feel confident about. With seven locations statewide — including their newer Billings store opened in 2024 — Natural Wellness continues to expand access to thoughtfully cultivated cannabis across Montana.
Organic quality meets disciplined excellence.
Apogee Gardens
Pure Cultivation. Elevated Experience.
At Apogee Gardens, cultivation is both a science and an art form. Specializing in premium, non-GMO flower that is grown organically and never treated with pesticides, their focus is simple: purity, potency, and plant integrity. Their knowledgeable and welcoming team is passionate about helping customers discover products tailored to their preferences, ensuring every visit is personalized and memorable.
When craftsmanship meets care, the result is cannabis at its peak.
High Mountain
Craft Cannabis with a Higher Purpose
Locally grown and locally owned, High Mountain is dedicated to producing craft cannabis designed to enhance everyday life. Their philosophy centers on the belief that thoughtfully cultivated cannabis can elevate wellness, connection, and overall quality of life. With a strong emphasis on small-scale cultivation and intentional practices, High Mountain delivers products that reflect both skill and heart.
Small batch. Big impact.
SensiCare
For the True Cannabis Connoisseur
SensiCare has built a reputation in Billings as a destination for discerning consumers seeking exceptional quality. Their small-batch, living soil cannabis is cultivated with precision, resulting in rich terpene profiles and standout flavor. Open seven days a week, SensiCare invites customers to experience the difference that careful cultivation makes.
Refined cannabis for refined tastes.
Bloom Montana
Rooted in Community. Committed to Quality.
With deep ties to the communities they serve, Bloom Montana has grown into one of the region’s most recognized cannabis retailers. Operating 10 stores in the Billings area, Bloom emphasizes trusted local partnerships, dependable product quality, and a consistently welcoming customer experience. Their growth reflects a dedication to both customers and the broader Montana cannabis community.
Local roots. Lasting relationships.
PURE Dispensary
Clean Cannabis. Clear Standards.
Locally owned and operated, PURE Dispensary lives up to its name by maintaining uncompromising quality standards. Every PURE product is pesticide- and fungicide-free, reinforcing their commitment to clean cultivation and consumer confidence. Their focus on purity ensures customers know exactly what they’re getting — cannabis produced with care and transparency.
Because quality should never be compromised.
How Judging Works
The excitement doesn’t end after kickoff — judging for the March Madness Doobie Derbie takes place throughout the entire month of March. Official judges will sample entries in the privacy of their own home and on their own timeline, and then submit their completed ballots to Vibe Marketing & Events, with all scorecards due by March 28.
Once the votes are tallied, the anticipation builds…
Winners will be revealed at our official Awards Ceremony on April 11 at 7 PM, hosted at Vibe Marketing & Events. Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate craftsmanship, community, and the competitors who rolled their way to the top.
All judges who complete and turn in their scorecards get free entry to the awards ceremony.
Whether you're cheering on your favorite dispensary or simply love being part of Billings’ cannabis community, this is one celebration you won’t want to miss.