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From Crack Set-Up to Cannabis Success: The Story of Don Andrews Jr & Upstate Canna

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From Crack Set-Up to Cannabis Success: The Story of Don Andrews Jr & Upstate Canna

Schenectady, NY — In a world where second chances are rare and the deck often feels stacked against independent entrepreneurs, Don Andrews Jr has become a symbol of perseverance for the Capital Region.

Andrews Jr’ story didn’t begin with cannabis. Years ago, he ran a smoke shop in Scotia, NY, where he became the target of an alleged set-up involving both local police and a paid informant. Crack cocaine was planted in his store, and Andrews was arrested on felony charges that could have ended his life as a free man.

But Don had something most accused people don’t — security cameras. The footage told the real story, revealing that the evidence had been planted. The charges were dropped, the informant was later convicted of perjury, and Andrews turned around and sued the county. He won a multi-million-dollar settlement — and while he doesn’t brag about the number, it was enough to change his life.

“It’s widely presumed,” says locals, “that Don used that money to turn a nightmare into an opportunity.”

With those funds, Andrews opened Upstate Canna, one of the very first licensed adult-use cannabis dispensaries in Schenectady County. The shop was an instant hit, pulling in lines down the block and becoming a favorite destination for Capital Region cannabis connoisseurs.

Highs, Lows, and Headlines

Andrews Jr’ journey hasn’t been smooth since then. In early 2024, he was involved in a serious accident that led to criminal charges and eventually a conviction. He is currently serving a sentence related to that incident.

But just like he did when he beat the false crack charges, Don isn’t letting this setback destroy what he built. Friends, partners, and supporters have stepped in to help keep Upstate Canna running strong while he’s away. The dispensary doors are still open, the community still shows up, and the business continues to thrive despite the founder’s personal hardships.

What Don Represents

In many ways, Don Andrews Jr’ story is bigger than cannabis. It’s a story about surviving injustice, rebuilding, and refusing to be defined by your worst day.

He went from being framed and jailed — to beating the charges, suing the system, and flipping that tragedy into a legal, thriving business. Now, he’s facing another storm, but if history is any guide, Don Andrews Jr will pull through again.

Upstate Canna’s Future

Regulators will be watching, no doubt. But the community is on Don’s side. Customers still show up because they believe in the business, and they believe in the man who built it.

Whether he’s behind the counter or behind bars, Don’s story has already inspired many — and it’s not over yet.

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Why August 15 Must Become the Day We Remind Big Tech Who Really Holds the Power

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By OG Strain

There is a dangerous illusion that has taken hold in America.

Millions of people believe they need Facebook.

The truth is the exact opposite.

Facebook needs us.

Every post.

Every comment.

Every photograph.

Every business page.

Every creator.

Every advertiser.

Every minute we spend scrolling.

That is the fuel that powers one of the largest corporations on Earth.

I reject that idea.

I reject it completely.

This article isn’t about one account.

It isn’t about one creator.

It isn’t about one disagreement.

It’s about a growing frustration shared by countless people who feel that massive technology companies have become too comfortable, too powerful, and too disconnected from the very people who made them successful in the first place.

For years, users have watched pages disappear.

Businesses lose reach.

Creators lose audiences.

Communities vanish.

Meanwhile, the people affected are often left with little explanation and even fewer answers.

At some point, every American has to ask a simple question:

How much power are we willing to hand over before we decide enough is enough?

Our ancestors did not build this country on the belief that powerful institutions should never be questioned.

They built it on the exact opposite principle.

Question authority.

Challenge power.

Speak your mind.

Stand up when you believe something is wrong.

Power without accountability eventually becomes arrogance.

And arrogance grows when nobody pushes back.

That is why I am calling for a peaceful, nationwide Facebook walkout on August 15.

Not forever.

Not for a month.

Not even for a week.

One day.

Twenty-four hours.

One simple message.

We are not powerless.

On August 15, log out.

Step away.

Create an X account if you don’t already have one.

Explore other platforms.

Then on August 16, come back and tell people why you participated.

Tell your friends.

Tell your family.

Tell your followers.

Tell Facebook.

Because silence changes nothing.

Action changes everything.

Some people will say one day doesn’t matter.

History disagrees.

Every movement starts with a first step.

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LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM, YOU CAN’T IGNORE HIM

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Hudson Valley Green, Higher Beings, and the Man Behind the Buzz

If you’ve spent any amount of time in New York’s cannabis community, chances are you’ve heard the name Danni Burns.

And depending on who you ask, you’ll get one of two reactions.

One group will tell you he’s one of the most knowledgeable and successful people in the game.

The other group will roll their eyes so hard they almost spill their grinder.

Welcome to cannabis.

Let’s be honest—this industry is full of strong personalities. Put enough growers, breeders, vendors, smokers, hash makers, and self-proclaimed “flower experts” in one room and you’ll have enough opinions to fill a pound jar.

Danni isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Or, more appropriately, everyone’s infused lemonade.

His confidence can come across as cocky. He’s passionate about his products. He’s vocal about what he believes is good flower and what he believes isn’t. Sometimes that rubs people the wrong way.

But here’s the thing:

The results speak for themselves.

Hudson Valley Green has built one of the most recognizable and successful cannabis brands in New York’s legacy market. Their product selection is enormous, their quality is consistently impressive, and their pricing remains among the most competitive you’ll find anywhere in the state.

Those aren’t opinions.

Those are facts.

Now, do I personally agree with every statement Danni has ever made about other people’s flower?

No.

Cannabis is subjective. There are plenty of talented growers throughout New York producing exceptional products. This community is loaded with skilled cultivators who deserve recognition.

But I’m also not here to tell another businessman how to run his business or market his products.

What I can tell you is this:

The confidence didn’t appear out of thin air.

Confidence usually comes from results.

And Hudson Valley Green has produced plenty of those.

The Man Behind the Reputation

Here’s something many people don’t realize.

Underneath the confidence is a guy who genuinely cares about helping people.

He’s passionate about cannabis.

He’s passionate about providing affordable access to quality products.

And he’s passionate about building something that lasts.

Sometimes confidence gets mistaken for arrogance. Sometimes success attracts criticism. Sometimes people decide whether they like someone before they’ve ever actually met them.

Cannabis users should understand this better than anyone.

After all, how many strains have we all judged by the name only to discover it absolutely slapped?

The same principle applies to people.

Higher Beings Powered by Hudson Valley Green

One of the biggest reasons for Hudson Valley Green’s continued success is the partnership behind Higher Beings Powered by Hudson Valley Green.

If you’ve attended enough pop-up events, chances are you’ve seen Kevin somewhere.

And if you haven’t, don’t worry.

Give it another weekend.

He’ll probably be at three events before you finish reading this article.

Together they’ve created a network that covers a huge portion of New York State, making quality products accessible to consumers from multiple regions without requiring a cross-state road trip that ends with you explaining to your GPS why you’re suddenly in the middle of nowhere.

Why I Stand Behind Them

Full disclosure:

I’m not employed by Hudson Valley Green.

I’m not a partner.

I’m not getting paid to write this article.

This is simply my honest experience.

Every product I’ve personally purchased from Hudson Valley Green or Higher Beings has impressed me.

Every single one.

Not most of them.

Not almost all of them.

All of them.

As someone who reviews cannabis products regularly, that’s not something I say lightly.

Yet somehow Hudson Valley Green continues to deliver.

That’s why I’m comfortable putting my own name behind this recommendation.

Final Hit

At the end of the day, cannabis should be about one thing:

The product.

Not the rumors.

Not the drama.

Not the comment sections.

Not who likes who.

The product.

So if you’ve never tried Higher Beings Powered by Hudson Valley Green, maybe it’s time.

Set aside the opinions.

Ignore the noise.

Try the flower.

Because whether you’re a longtime supporter or a skeptic looking to prove everyone wrong, one thing is certain:

The cannabis doesn’t care which side of the argument you’re on.

It just wants to get you elevated.

And from everything I’ve seen so far, Hudson Valley Green knows exactly how to make that happen.

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The OG Strain Effect: Coincidence… or Good Promo?

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Every now and then, somebody asks me:

“OG, why do you spend so much time promoting these cannabis companies?”

Simple.

Because I love this industry.

I love seeing passionate people build something from nothing. I love finding the hidden gems. I love discovering the growers, dispensaries, and brands that are actually doing it right before everybody else catches on.

And if you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed a strange pattern.

The brands I put a spotlight on tend to blow up.

Now before anybody starts throwing tomatoes at me, let me be crystal clear:

I am not claiming I built these businesses.

I didn’t create their products.

I didn’t build their customer base from scratch.

I didn’t develop their genetics.

I didn’t create their business plans.

The people behind these brands did all of that themselves.

What I do is something much simpler.

I find greatness and I point at it.

Then I tell the community where to find it.

That’s it.

But apparently, that’s a pretty powerful thing.

Exhibit A: Electric City Cannabis Company

When I first started talking about Electric City Cannabis Company, they weren’t the biggest name in the 518.

They were newer.

Competition was everywhere.

Every dispensary was fighting for attention.

But I saw something.

They were doing things right.

Their customer service was on point.

Their product selection was solid.

Their passion was obvious.

So I started writing about them.

I started talking about them.

I started putting a spotlight on them.

Again, I didn’t create their success.

They earned every bit of it.

But today?

They’re opening a second location in Gloversville.

That’s not luck.

That’s the result of a quality business executing at a high level.

Did my promotion help?

I think it’d be pretty hard to argue that it didn’t.

Some of those people became loyal customers.

How many?

Who knows.

But it happened.

And when quality meets visibility, good things tend to happen.

Exhibit B: Higher Beings Powered by Hudson Valley Green

Last year, I attended a cannabis cup in Palenville.

Over fifty vendors.

Over fifty.

You know what that means?

A lot of walking.

A lot of talking.

A lot of smelling jars and trying products.

Basically the Olympics for cannabis enthusiasts.

After searching through vendor after vendor, one company stood out above the rest.

Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green.

The quality was undeniable.

The passion was undeniable.

The products spoke for themselves.

So I spent the next year doing what I do best.

I talked about them.

I promoted them.

I let the community know what I had found.

Did I create their products?

No.

Did I create their business?

Absolutely not.

But I’d be lying if I said the spotlight didn’t help.

When you’ve built a following that trusts your opinion, people listen.

Especially the people who have followed my work for years and have seen me call things correctly time and time again.

When I point people toward a company, they check it out.

They give it a chance.

And when the quality is really there, they come back.

The reality is simple:

When you’re operating in an industry where social media platforms constantly limit cannabis content, every bit of exposure matters.

Every article matters.

Every video matters.

Every recommendation matters.

And every new customer matters.

The Newest Example: Gilly’s Greens

Now let’s talk about a company that’s still writing its success story.

Gilly’s Greens.

If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve already seen me talking about them.

Why?

Because I see the same ingredients I’ve seen before.

Passion.

Consistency.

Quality.

Dedication.

The man behind the operation, John Gilboy, isn’t waiting for success to magically appear.

He’s putting in the work.

He’s building a reputation.

He’s producing quality products.

Those things have absolutely nothing to do with me.

He deserves the credit for every bit of that.

But now I’m putting a spotlight on what he’s doing.

And if history has taught me anything, people are going to pay attention.

Will Gilly’s Greens become one of the next major names people are talking about?

I think so.

Not because of me.

Because they’re doing it right.

Coincidence? Maybe.

At this point, there are only two possible explanations.

Either:

I have an incredible ability to identify cannabis businesses that are destined for success before everybody else notices.

Or…

My promotion actually helps accelerate that success.

Honestly, it’s probably both.

The businesses are already putting in the work.

They’re already producing great products.

They’re already building something worth supporting.

I simply help more people discover them faster.

Why This Matters

The cannabis industry is more competitive than ever.

Everybody wants attention.

Everybody wants customers.

Everybody wants to become the next big name.

But here’s the truth.

The best products don’t always win.

The loudest products often do.

Visibility matters.

Brand recognition matters.

Community trust matters.

And that’s where I come in.

For years, I’ve built relationships throughout the cannabis community.

I’m not interested in promoting garbage.

I’m not interested in hyping products that don’t deserve it.

My reputation is worth too much.

When I put a spotlight on a company, it’s because I genuinely believe they’re doing something special.

And the community has learned to trust that.

The Invitation

So if you’re a grower…

A dispensary owner…

A breeder…

A processor…

An event organizer…

Or a cannabis entrepreneur building something incredible…

Let’s talk.

If you’re doing things right, I want to know about it.

If you’re passionate about what you’re creating, I want to see it.

I invest my time into the people I believe in.

The question is:

Are you building something worth believing in?

Because if you are, OG Strain might just be your next spotlight.

And if history is any indication…

That spotlight tends to shine pretty bright.

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