Most dispensary owners sell cannabis.

Mirk sells experiences.

And that’s exactly why he belongs in The Plug’s Pages Cannabis Hall of Fame.

Now before anybody starts yelling at their phone, “Wait a minute, OG! Isn’t the Hall of Fame usually reserved for rappers, celebrities, entertainers, and cannabis legends?”

Usually.

But every once in a while someone comes along who breaks the mold so completely that the rules no longer apply.

Mirk is one of those people.

Let me explain.

On paper, Stage One is a dispensary.

In reality?

It’s a community center disguised as a dispensary.

And if you were lucky enough to attend the Benny The Butcher event at Stage One this past weekend, you witnessed exactly what makes Mirk different from almost everyone else in the cannabis industry.

Let’s be honest for a second.

Most venues would have charged you $25 just to get through the front gate.

Some would’ve charged $50.

And with a lineup featuring Benny The Butcher along with artists like RCXY, Jake Strain, Big Que XXL, Ricky Bandana, Peshi, Mr. Pigz, John Bizz, and a stacked roster of performers, fifty bucks would’ve actually been considered a bargain.

But that’s not how Mirk operates.

His admission fee?

Be a customer.

That’s it.

Buy something.

Anything.

A lighter.

A beverage.

Whatever.

You’re in.

I personally grabbed a couple of those Airloom THC lemonades. And let me tell you something…

On a scorching hot summer day, the fact that they were already ice cold was worth its weight in gold.

Most dispensaries hand you a warm can and wish you luck.

Stage One hands you a cold drink and a concert ticket.

That’s a different level of hospitality.

But here’s what really blew my mind.

The free concert wasn’t enough.

Mirk decided to feed everybody too.

Not with some bargain-bin mystery burger that looks like it lost a fight with a microwave.

We’re talking breaded shrimp and fries.

Chicken and fries.

Actual quality food.

The kind of meal you’d gladly pay money for.

Except nobody had to.

Because Mirk already did.

Think about that for a minute.

He paid for the artists.

He paid for the production.

He paid for the food.

He paid for giveaways.

He paid for free merchandise.

He paid for the experience.

And then he turned around and opened the gates to the community.

You know how many business owners would do that?

Not many.

Because most businesses focus on maximizing profit.

Mirk seems focused on maximizing smiles.

And that difference is exactly why Stage One has become something special.

Throughout the event, free samples were being handed out.

Stage One shirts were being given away.

People were laughing, eating, networking, and enjoying themselves.

The energy wasn’t corporate.

It wasn’t transactional.

It felt like family.

The crazy part?

This isn’t a one-time thing.

This is who Mirk is.

The profits generated through legal cannabis sales don’t just disappear into some giant pile of cash hidden under a mattress somewhere.

He reinvests them back into the community.

Back into events.

Back into entertainment.

Back into experiences.

Back into people.

And that matters.

Because at a time when many businesses are asking, “How much can we take from the community?”

Mirk seems to be asking, “How much can I give back?”

That’s a rare mindset.

It’s also probably why Stage One has become one of the most talked-about cannabis destinations in the region.

In fact, Mirk mentioned something that didn’t surprise me at all.

Apparently, not everybody loves seeing Stage One succeed.

When you build something special, people notice.

When you create excitement, people notice.

When you’re constantly putting on events and showing love to your customers, people notice.

And unfortunately, sometimes people get jealous too.

But here’s the thing.

No amount of outside noise can compete with genuine community support.

You can’t fake authenticity.

You can’t fake generosity.

And you definitely can’t fake the kind of atmosphere that Stage One creates.

People know the difference.

That’s why they keep showing up.

That’s why artists keep showing up.

And that’s why Stage One continues to grow.

Speaking of artists…

One of the biggest surprises of the day came when Mirk and members of the Stage One crew grabbed the microphone themselves.

Now listen…

When somebody tells you dispensary employees started a rap group, your expectations might be all over the place.

Mine certainly were.

But these guys absolutely delivered.

The crowd loved it.

I loved it.

And it added another layer of entertainment to an event that was already overflowing with personality.

Then there’s the Stage One Podcast.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re missing out.

Mirk and his team regularly sit down with artists, performers, and members of the cannabis community, creating a platform where stories get told and voices get heard.

Again, it’s another example of somebody using their success to create opportunities for others.

And honestly?

That’s what this Hall of Fame recognition is really about.

Not cannabis.

Not concerts.

Not merchandise.

Not even Benny The Butcher.

It’s about impact.

It’s about a man who could have built a successful dispensary and stopped there.

Instead, he built a community.

He built a culture.

He built a place where people want to gather.

A place where people feel welcome.

A place where customers become friends and events become memories.

That’s a lot harder to do than selling weed.

So if you happen to see Mirk sometime soon, do me a favor.

Shake his hand.

Thank him.

Tell him you appreciate what he’s doing.

Because creating experiences like this isn’t easy.

And people who consistently give back to their communities deserve recognition.

The Plug’s Pages Cannabis Hall of Fame was created to honor people who leave their mark on cannabis culture.

Some do it through music.

Some do it through advocacy.

Some do it through business.

And every now and then, someone earns their place simply by caring about people.

Mirk is one of those people.

Welcome to the Hall of Fame.

You’ve earned it.

— OG Strain

By OG Strain

There are event planners…

And then there are culture architects.

If you’ve ever pulled up to a 518 cannabis gathering and felt that unspoken energy — that mix of freedom, safety, good flower, and “we probably shouldn’t be here but somehow this feels historic” — chances are you were standing in a space created by Rob Robinson and the team behind Damn Sam Productions.

Let’s be clear right now.

Before legalization.
Before licensed dispensaries.
Before terpene charts printed on glossy packaging.

There was Rob Robinson.

And if you’re enjoying New York cannabis culture today, you are benefiting from groundwork that Rob Robinson helped lay brick by brick — sometimes under prohibition, sometimes under pressure, always under purpose.

⸻

The Angry Kid Who Found a Plant Instead of a Problem

Rob Robinson will tell you straight — cannabis entered the picture early. Probably too early. Like many young people navigating anger and uncertainty, the plant didn’t escalate things… it soothed them.

From the very beginning, Rob felt an affinity with cannabis. Not just as a consumer — but as someone who understood it carried meaning. Healing. Culture. Resistance.

Some people discover weed.

Some people realize weed discovered them.

Rob always sensed it would be a major part of life. What wasn’t obvious yet was that it would become a lifelong mission.

⸻

When Love for the Plant Became Activism

Raised in the 914 / 845 corridor, Rob eventually realized that if real change was going to happen, it would happen in Albany — the heart of the 518.

The state capitol.
The legislative office building.
The rooms where laws are written.

While many were quietly enjoying cannabis behind closed doors, Rob Robinson was organizing rallies, lobby days, senate meetings, assembly hearings, and press conferences — for years.

Under prohibition.

Back when attending a cannabis event meant real risk. Not just bad parking.

The early cannabis scene was solid — but underground. Community wasn’t built on marketing. It was built on trust. On safety. On protecting each other.

Rob used to say:

“We can’t get you here or home, but we can damn well keep you safe once you’re here.”

That wasn’t branding. That was a code.

⸻

1989: The Moment Everything Changed

In 1989, High Times released a tri-fold flyer under the direction of Steve Hager:

Front: “The good news is we found a plant that can save the world.”
Middle: “The bad news is it is illegal.”
Back: A photo of a marijuana plant.

Inside that flyer was a spark that would ignite a life of activism.

Rob Robinson joined the High Times Freedom Fighters — at a time when “joining” meant publicly listing your phone number in a magazine. No encrypted apps. No anonymous usernames. Just conviction.

That same year, at Hash Bash in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Rob heard Jack Herer speak live for the first time. Alongside voices like Elvy Musikka, the message hit like lightning.

Overnight, Rob became a hemp activist. A cannabis reform advocate. A vegetarian. A believer in the power of this plant to change more than just mood.

That wasn’t a phase.

That was ignition.

⸻

Hemp Splash & Learning From Legends

In 1990, Rob Robinson co-created the first Hemp Splash Environmental/Law Reform Protestival at Arrowhead Ranch in Parksville, NY.

Yes — Protestival.

Because when activism meets Deadhead energy, you don’t just protest. You celebrate resistance.

At Arrowhead Ranch, Rob learned event production alongside promoter legend Bill Graham and helped host events featuring artists like Phish, Blues Traveler, Ziggy Marley, Little Feat, The Band, and Richie Havens.

This wasn’t a hobby.

This was a masterclass in culture-building.

⸻

The Cannabis Cup That Was Born Out of Pressure

In 1996, at the NY Harvest Festival & Freedom Fair, ABC World News Tonight showed up with Peter Jennings looking to interview cannabis growers.

Problem?

Under prohibition, nobody wanted to speak publicly.

So Rob pivoted.

If growers wouldn’t speak — let the flower speak.

That year marked the creation of the first-ever annual Cannabis Cup in the United States, organized by Rob Robinson and the team at Damn Sam Productions.

Today, that event stands as the longest-running Cannabis Cup in North America and the second longest-running in the world.

It ran for 24 years under prohibition.

That’s not luck.

That’s relentless commitment.

⸻

“I Gather Our Community Together, Safely.”

When asked what role he plays in the industry, Rob keeps it simple:

“I gather our community together, safely.”

Public speaker.
Spoken word poet.
Grassroots activist.
Lobbyist for cannabis reform throughout his entire adult life until legalization arrived in New York in 2021.

And beyond the public work, there is family. In 2020, Rob Robinson met Emily Harper. Their partnership has evolved into a powerful blend of professionalism and magic — elevating events while maintaining the soul that built them.

The vibe stayed authentic.

The structure got sharper.

That balance is rare.

⸻

What Makes the 518 Different?

According to Rob, it’s simple:

Unity and cooperation over competition.

The 518 cannabis community helps each other. Shares knowledge. Supports growers. Builds together.

In an era where many regions chase hype, the 518 builds legacy.

And Rob Robinson, through Damn Sam Productions, has been right in the center of that ecosystem.

⸻

Legalization Didn’t Start the Movement

For over 30 years, Rob Robinson organized events under prohibition. Culture, as always, moved faster than law.

Now that legalization has arrived, there’s hope — but also work to be done.

Rob believes New York cannabis would benefit from a model similar to microbreweries and small wineries. Let legacy growers sell their own product. Let grassroots operators thrive. Build trust between community and industry.

And above all:

Remember the fight that got us here.

⸻

What’s Next for Rob Robinson and Damn Sam Productions?

May 2nd marks the inaugural Growers Gathering in Palenville.

October 2026 brings the 30th Annual NY Harvest Fest Cannabis Cup — a milestone that very few in this country can claim.

Thirty years.

Most brands don’t last five.

Rob Robinson and Damn Sam Productions sustained a movement for three decades.

⸻

Hall of Fame Status Is Earned

Rob Robinson didn’t arrive after legalization.

Rob didn’t wait until it was profitable.

Rob didn’t build community when it was easy.

The work was done when it was risky. When it required courage. When showing up meant something.

That’s why this recognition in the Cannabis Hall of Fame category isn’t symbolic.

It’s deserved.

From The Plug’s Pages Magazine to Rob Robinson and the Damn Sam Productions team:

Thank you for protecting the culture.
Thank you for building safe spaces before they were legally protected.
Thank you for fighting for freedoms many now enjoy casually.

If you’ve ever attended a New York cannabis event and felt safe, welcomed, and part of something bigger than yourself — understand that you’re standing inside a legacy that Rob Robinson helped build.

And that…

Is Hall of Fame material.

https://damnsam.com

https://theticketing.co/e/growersgathering

https://www.instagram.com/ny_harvest_fest

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Desiree Rosalee (@desireerosaleearts)

— OG Strain

By Herbert Greenstein — The Plug’s Pages Magazine

In the world of cannabis culture, few names are as instantly recognizable — or as profoundly influential — as Cheech & Chong. To be inducted into the Cannabis Hall of Fame in The Plug’s Pages Magazine is more than recognition. It’s a statement: this individual or duo shaped the culture, challenged perceptions, and helped redefine an entire generation’s view of cannabis and comedy.

Not everyone gets this honor. To be featured here — in a Hall of Fame article written personally by me, Herbert Greenstein, CEO and lead writer for this magazine — a legend must be just that: exceptional, enduring, and deeply consequential. When it comes to Cheech & Chong, there are few better examples of true cannabis cultural impact.

How Two Strangers Became a Legendary Duo

The story of Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong began in 1969 in Vancouver, when fate threw these two very different personalities together. Cheech, a young American avoiding the Vietnam draft, walked into a burlesque club looking for acting opportunities and met Chong, a comedic performer with the City Works improv troupe. What happened next wasn’t just a partnership — it was the birth of something iconic. (en.wikipedia.org (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheech_%26_Chong?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Cheech’s fiery energy paired exquisitely with Chong’s mellow, laid‑back style — a contrast that became their creative engine. Together, they crafted a brand of comedy that captured the spirit of the early 1970s: irreverent, hilarious, and unapologetically tied to cannabis culture. This was comedy that spoke to the counterculture, not around it. (en.wikipedia.org (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheech_%26_Chong?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

From Stand‑Up to Cultural Phenomenon

Their early success came through comedy albums, starting with their self‑titled 1971 release that connected instantly with audiences craving something fresh and defiant. They weren’t just telling jokes — they were shaping a cultural identity. (en.wikipedia.org (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheech_and_Chong_%28album%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

But the real breakthrough came in 1978 with Up in Smoke, the feature film that made Cheech & Chong household names. The movie — made on a humble budget — grossed an astounding $104 million worldwide, proving that counterculture comedy could move mainstream audiences. It was a seismic moment for stoner humor and for cannabis representation in media. (people.com (https://people.com/cheech-and-chong-made-only-usd50k-after-their-first-film-grossed-usd104-million-11717952?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Eight films, countless routines, and millions of laughs later, Cheech & Chong had solidified their place in entertainment history.

The Rift Behind the Jokes

Behind the laughter, however, lay real tension. By the mid‑1980s, creative differences and disputes over credit led to a split after Get Out of My Room in 1985. Cheech pursued solo projects in film and television, while Chong continued to perform and explore other ventures. (en.wikipedia.org (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheech_%26_Chong?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

That chapter in their story reminds us: even legends are human. They disagree. They struggle. They evolve. But their eventual reunions years later — onstage and on screen — underscore the power of legacy to bring talents back together. (leafmagazines.com (https://leafmagazines.com/culture/still-smokin-the-rebirth-of-cheech-and-chong/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Reunion and Revival

After a long hiatus, Cheech & Chong returned to live performance in 2008, touring North America and reconnecting with fans old and new. Their chemistry remained undeniable, their humor as sharp as ever. Even decades into their careers, they continued to celebrate what made them special: partnership, irreverence, and a love for making people laugh. (leafmagazines.com (https://leafmagazines.com/culture/still-smokin-the-rebirth-of-cheech-and-chong/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Their story was again put into focus through the 2025 documentary Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie, offering a candid look at their legacy, their bumps along the way, and the cultural footprint they helped carve.

Cannabis and Legacy in the Modern Era

Today, Cheech Marin — age 78 — and Tommy Chong — age 86 — remain active, engaged figures. They perform stand‑up, appear at conventions like Comicpalooza, and embrace their role as elder statesmen of cannabis culture. Their influence has even extended into business ventures within the legal cannabis and hemp markets, applying their branding and wit to products that reflect their decades‑long connection to the plant they helped normalize. (sfgate.com (https://www.sfgate.com/cannabis/article/cheech-chong-100m-cannabis-hemp-empire-21015051.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

In an era where cannabis continues its journey toward widespread acceptance, Cheech & Chong’s early work stands as a foundational pillar — entertaining, provocative, and impossibly timeless.

Why We Still Love Them

Cheech & Chong didn’t merely make people laugh about cannabis — they invited the world to look at it differently. Their humor was a vehicle for change, loosening stigma and inviting people in through joy rather than confrontation. They turned taboo into mainstream with nothing but jokes, authenticity, and charisma.

To be featured in the Cannabis Hall of Fame is more than an accolade — it’s a testament to impact. Not every artist, activist, entrepreneur, or legend earns this distinction. When someone does, it signals that their contributions didn’t just entertain — they transformed culture.

And Cheech & Chong did exactly that.

In every laugh, every line, and every legacy‑shaping moment, they helped take cannabis from the fringes and plant it firmly within our cultural landscape — forever part of the history we celebrate here in The Plug’s Pages Magazine.

And that’s no joke.