Community
How OG Strain Judges Cannabis Inside the Mind of an Empire State Cannabis Cup Judge
As some of you may or may not know, I’ve officially been asked to serve as a judge for the 2025–2026 Empire State Cannabis Cup, going down January 31st at the Clocktower, 37 Prospect St., Amsterdam, New York. First off—huge honor. Second—pray for my lungs 😅.
I’ve got approximately 65 strains to evaluate, score, and fairly judge before the tallies are locked in. That’s not just smoking weed for fun — that’s work. Serious work. Connoisseur work. So I wanted to pull back the curtain and explain exactly how I judge cannabis, because trust me, it’s way deeper than “yeah bro, this slaps.”
Let’s break it down.
⸻
Step One: Looks Matter (But Only If You Look Correctly)
Here’s something most people don’t realize:
You cannot truly judge a bud’s appearance without good lighting.
That’s why my process starts with a simple but effective move — I take a photo using my iPhone 16 with the flash on, then examine the picture. The camera doesn’t lie, even if your living room lighting does.
When judging visual appeal, here’s what I’m looking for:
• Trichomes: Are they lightly dusted, medium-coated, or absolutely drenched like a Krispy Kreme glaze?
• Trim quality: Is it clean and intentional, or am I still playing Where’s Waldo with sugar leaves?
• Color profile: Are we seeing deep purples, vibrant greens, fiery orange hairs — or just one dull, lifeless green?
• Pistils (hairs): Are they bright, healthy, and popping? Or barely there and hiding under leaf?
• Bud structure: Dense? Airy? Balanced?
One thing I don’t judge in competitions like this is bud size. When you’re given a single gram, you don’t know if it’s a full nug or a breakup piece — so size gets a pass. That’s just being fair.
⸻
Step Two: Smell — Don’t Sniff It, Open It
This is where a lot of people mess up.
You can’t just crack the jar and sniff the air. Especially with outdoor flower that still has leaf on it. You have to open the bud itself. That’s where the real terpene profile is locked in.
So I ask myself:
• Do I smell anything at all?
• Is it hay or wet grass? (Uh-oh.)
• Earthy? Fruity? Vanilla? Piney?
• Is it loud and unmistakable, or quiet and forgettable?
These scents tell me which terpenes are present — and whether they were preserved or lost along the way. Loud, expressive terpene profiles score higher. Flat, dull, or hay-smelling flower… well, you already know.

⸻
Step Three: The High (Yes, It’s Two Different Categories)
This is where things get misunderstood, so let me be clear:
“How nice is the high”
and
“How strong is the high”
are two completely different things.
• How nice is the high?
Do I feel uplifted? Relaxed? Focused? Happy? Am I enjoying myself?
• How strong is the high?
How powerful is it? How fast does it hit? How long does it last?
Something can be strong but unpleasant, or pleasant but mild — and both deserve accurate scoring.
⸻
The Scoring System: Keep It Honest
Each category is scored 1 through 10.
• 10 = elite, standout, top-tier
• 5 = average (and yes, average is exactly what it sounds like)
• 1–4 = I’ll be polite… but I’d rather not smoke this again
If a strain scores around five across the board, it’s not bad — it’s just average. If it’s scoring fours everywhere, in all honesty, I probably wouldn’t have chosen it if I had options. But that’s the job.
You’ve got to get through the mids to find the magic — and trust me, in a competition like this, there’s plenty of both.
⸻
Why This Matters
At the end of the day, this isn’t about ego or hype. It’s about respecting the growers, honoring their effort, and giving every entry a fair, knowledgeable, unbiased evaluation.
Whether it’s someone’s first Cannabis Cup or a seasoned grower who’s been doing this for decades — everyone deserves the same level of attention and integrity.
⸻
Pull Up & Support the Culture
I truly hope to see you all there on January 31st. Come support:
• The growers
• The community
• The Plug’s Pages Magazine
• Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis)
• And yes… your boy OG Strain
This is bigger than one trophy. It’s about the 420 movement, the culture, and pushing cannabis forward the right way.
Stay lifted, stay educated, and I’ll see you at the Clocktower 🌱🔥
— OG Strain
Community
REEDS AMONST THE WEED
It is a scientific fact that listening to music is enhanced in many ways when the listener has indulged in weed. THC nudges parts of the brain designed to absorb sound, including music to become stimulated on a higher level.
THC influences the brain’s ability to let listeners think about the music differently, they hear more within each note, they feel more from the experience of music. Music becomes something like a magic carpet ride. Weed allows the listeners to literally become one within the melody, they are physically stimulated. In addition, the senses are heightened offering a person who is lit to see the color of the music, the story hidden within the music and create a unique movie that only they can see.
When a concert- goer is stoned, then everything about each note, each instrument becomes amplified. When the brain synchronizes with the sound, the experience becomes unbelievably delightful.
What could be more magical than a concert where the reeds play amongst the weed? On Saturday, August 15th a lucky few will get to inhabit music in a way they perhaps have never imagined.
Clarinet trio, Take Three will play a free concert at Lazy Day Farm, a top-notch cannabis cultivator in Durham, N.Y. The members of this professional group have played everywhere from the well-known concert halls to the Grand Canyon.

Each member’s instrument, from the base clarinet, played by Steve Miller to Suzanne Coletta’s, and Steve Silverstein’s, clarinets transform the program into a sensual, funny, soothing, plifting trip. The trio has been able to create harmonies so expertly woven together that the audience, seated in the walnut grove, become en-wrapped in a group experience that wipes away the real world.
Imagine relaxing on your blanket or chair, ganja smoke swirling around you as your mind absorbs the special notes that only multiple clarinets can produce. Music by Mozart becomes a transporter to another time and place. A piece by Debussy becomes an animated painting in your head.
The scene behind the trio is the lush greenness of the cannabis field, where the plants appear to be swaying to the melodies. The enchanted walnut grove presents a safeplace here the mind can wander into the outer space of the brain.
When weed is blended with live music the woes and troubles of the world drift away on the gentle breeze, the hive mind of the audience takes over resulting in an unforgettable unreal feeling of peace.
Community
The Team Behind the Movement: Why The Plug’s Pages Magazine Is Just Getting Started
Every publication reaches a point where it stops feeling like a business and starts feeling like a movement.
For me, that moment came when I looked around and realized I wasn’t simply building another cannabis magazine—I was surrounded by a team of people who genuinely believe in this industry, respect its culture, and work tirelessly to elevate it.
As CEO of The Plug’s Pages Magazine, I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
To think that we’ve grown into one of the most widely circulated cannabis publications in the country—and now find ourselves competing neck-and-neck with our former employer—is something I never take for granted. Being second only to High Times in national circulation is an incredible achievement, but rankings alone don’t define success.
Our readers do.
Every article you read, every issue you share, every business you discover through our pages, and every conversation that begins because of something we publish has helped shape what The Plug’s Pages Magazine has become. None of this happens without the people who continue believing in what we’re building.
For that, I am sincerely grateful.
But no publication succeeds because of one person.
It succeeds because of its people.
I’ve known Seymour Buds for many years. We’ve weathered challenges together, celebrated victories together, and shared a vision for what cannabis journalism could become long before this magazine existed. Seymour has remained exactly the kind of person every publication hopes to have—a dependable voice, an experienced writer, and someone who genuinely cares about both the industry and the community surrounding it.
He’s been with me through thick and thin, and our magazine is stronger because of him.
Then came someone who, quite honestly, surprised all of us.
OG Strain.
Sometimes people arrive with a résumé.
Sometimes they arrive with passion.
And every once in a while, someone arrives with both.
From the moment OG Strain joined The Plug’s Pages Magazine, it became clear that we weren’t simply adding another contributor—we were adding someone whose creativity seemed to have no ceiling.
Writing comes naturally to him.
His understanding of cannabis comes naturally.
Connecting with people comes naturally.
Those qualities cannot be taught.
They have to be lived.
That authenticity is exactly what makes his work resonate with readers.
There are plenty of people who write about cannabis.
Far fewer actually live the culture every single day.
OG Strain does.
His passion extends well beyond the pages of this magazine.
Many readers know him as the creator and host of Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis) on YouTube, where he reviews cannabis strains, growers, products, dispensaries, distributors, and cannabis events throughout the Northeast. But the channel has grown into much more than reviews. It has become a destination for cannabis entertainment, educational content, community spotlights, interviews, humorous skits, and creative series like Mr. Water Bong & Ms. Dab Rig—all created with the same goal of celebrating the cannabis community while making people smile.
His creativity doesn’t stop there.
Using music-generation technology, he has written promotional rap songs and original anthems for numerous cannabis companies throughout the Northeast, helping brands develop a unique identity while connecting with customers in an entirely new way.
Companies including Gilly’s Greens, No Mountain Higher, Buddah Brothers, Higher Beings Powered by Hudson Valley Green, Adekrondack, The Gas Station, Key (Keeping Edibles Yummy), Blissful Confections, Ashley Kryptonite, Smokers Section, and many others have all been the subjects of his creative promotional work.
That level of dedication is rare.
What impresses me even more is that none of it comes from obligation.
It comes from genuine enthusiasm.
He loves seeing cannabis businesses succeed.
He enjoys shining a spotlight on people who often don’t receive one.
He understands that behind every brand is a family, an entrepreneur, a grower, or a dream worth sharing.
That’s what separates promotion from storytelling.
And that’s what separates content creators from community builders.
Perhaps what impresses me most is his work ethic.
There was a point where OG Strain was producing articles for The Plug’s Pages Magazine nearly every single day.
Without that level of commitment, we’d likely publish only a fraction of the stories we’re able to share.
He has become our most active contributor, and through his dedication, our readers have been introduced to more businesses, more events, more growers, more products, and more members of the cannabis community than ever before.
Simply put, he has helped expand both our reach and our vision.
When Seymour, OG Strain, and I work together, each of us brings something different to the table.
Seymour brings experience.
OG Strain brings relentless creativity and energy.
I bring years of publishing, journalism, and leadership.
Together, we’ve built something that none of us could have created alone.
Every successful company needs a strong foundation.
Ours is built on trust, passion, and a shared belief that the cannabis community deserves honest, engaging, and professional coverage.
As we continue growing, we’re also expanding our mission.
We don’t simply want to report on the cannabis industry.
We want to help build it.
That means creating opportunities for cultivators, manufacturers, dispensaries, processors, event organizers, content creators, and entrepreneurs to tell their stories in meaningful ways.
Many businesses struggle to get noticed.
Others simply don’t know where to begin.
That’s where we come in.
Whether it’s through feature articles, interviews, event coverage, educational content, product spotlights, or innovative promotional opportunities, our goal is to help connect great companies with the people who are looking for exactly what they offer.
We’re creating something that goes beyond advertising.
We’re building relationships.
We’re building community.
And we’re building a platform where authentic voices matter.
The future of The Plug’s Pages Magazine has never looked brighter.
This is only the beginning.
If you’ve been following our journey, thank you for believing in us.
If you’re a cannabis business looking for a platform that genuinely wants to see you succeed, we’d love to help tell your story.
And if you’re one of the thousands of readers who continue supporting this publication issue after issue, know that every page we publish is written with you in mind.
I’m proud of this magazine.
I’m proud of where we’ve been.
I’m even more excited about where we’re headed.
Most of all, I’m proud of the people standing beside me.
Seymour Buds.
OG Strain.
And every reader who has helped turn The Plug’s Pages Magazine into one of the fastest-growing voices in cannabis media.
We’re not slowing down.
In many ways…
We’re just getting started.
Community
From Empty Field to Cannabis Paradise: How the 2026 Summer High Festival Blew Everyone’s Expectations Out of the Water
Two weeks before the 2026 Summer High Festival, I pulled into the property in Williamstown, New York, to meet up with Woodz Treez and Sammy Woodz. The mission that day wasn’t the festival—it was to film an episode of Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis) featuring what we called The 518’s Most Elite Cold Cure Rosin Challenge. Over the course of nearly two hours, we sampled and reviewed roughly a dozen different cold cure rosins back-to-back.
By the time we wrapped up, I was somewhere between “professional cannabis journalist” and “trying to remember why I walked over here.”
It was a blast.
But standing there that day, looking across what felt like an endless empty field, I couldn’t fully picture what was about to happen.
Two weeks later…
I couldn’t believe I was standing on the very same property.
Thanks to VIP passes generously gifted to me by Justin from The Basement Chronicles, my friend Miss Kryptonite and I rolled into the festival ready for a great time. What we weren’t ready for was the incredible turnout waiting for us.
That empty field?
Gone.
In its place was what looked like an entire temporary cannabis village.
Vendor tents stretched in every direction. Campers lined the property for what felt like football fields. Cars filled the landscape. Everywhere you looked, people were smiling, laughing, sharing stories, making new friends, and simply enjoying life.
If someone had blindfolded me and dropped me into the middle of it, I would’ve guessed I had wandered into one of the biggest cannabis gatherings in the Northeast.
And honestly…
I may have.
Every Direction Led to Something Cool
One of my favorite things about the Summer High Festival was that every time you thought you’d seen everything, you’d discover something completely different.
Toward the back of the property was a rave tucked away in its own area.
The DJs were absolutely crushing it while about a half-dozen to a dozen people danced nonstop with smiles on their faces. Colorful flow artists spun mesmerizing wheels and props that painted incredible patterns through the air. I can only imagine what those looked like through the eyes of someone enjoying a mushroom trip…
Let’s just say they were probably watching the universe perform interpretive dance.
Around them were festival-goers dressed in colorful outfits, unique skirts, creative costumes, and all kinds of eye-catching festival attire. Even though it wasn’t a massive dance floor, the energy was contagious. Everyone there was genuinely having fun.
The amazing part?
This was after four straight days of festivities.
Yet everyone still looked like they had just arrived on Day One.
Music Never Stopped
A short walk through the woods led to the main stage.
Whether it was the middle of the afternoon or late into the evening, there was always someone performing.
Bands.
Solo artists.
Musicians.
Entertainers.
There wasn’t a dead moment on that stage.
Nearby, people gathered around campfires listening to music while conversations flowed as naturally as the smoke drifting through the trees.
Walking farther along the wooded trails revealed another surprise.
Live artwork.
One incredibly talented woman stood surrounded by nature, painting a beautiful canvas while festival-goers stopped to admire her work. It perfectly captured what this event felt like—a celebration of creativity just as much as cannabis.
Tattoos, Vendors & Infused Slurpees
Then there was the tattoo trailer.
Whoever that tattoo artist was deserves an honorary endurance award.
Seriously.
I lost count of how many people proudly stopped me to show off fresh ink they had gotten during the festival.
Judging by the number of tattoos I saw, that artist probably forgot what sleep even looked like.
Of course, no cannabis festival would be complete without incredible vendors.
The selection seemed endless.
Food vendors.
Drink vendors.
Glass.
Merchandise.
Cannabis products.
Accessories.
If you wanted it, someone probably had it.
One stop that definitely deserves recognition was Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green, who were handing out complimentary infused Slurpees.
On one of the hottest days of the summer, that frozen drink tasted absolutely incredible.
Refreshing.
Delicious.
Infused.
That’s basically the cannabis version of finding an extra nug at the bottom of your stash jar.
Other standout names included Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green, Woodz Treez & Sammy Woodz, Best Budz, and countless others that helped make this event feel like one giant family reunion for the cannabis community.
Bigger Than I Ever Expected
I’ve attended quite a few cannabis events over the years.
Until now, the largest one I’d experienced was The Damn Sam Cannabis Cup.
Not anymore.
This festival honestly felt even larger.
More vendors.
More campers.
More people.
More energy.
More everything.
What makes that even more impressive is that before the event, I had heard whispers that attendance might be disappointing.
Well…
Whoever started that rumor owes Justin and his team an apology.
Because they absolutely knocked it out of the park.
Community Done Right
What impressed me more than the attendance wasn’t the size of the crowd.
It was the attitude of the people.
Nearly every single person I encountered was friendly, welcoming, respectful, and genuinely happy to be there.
There was no drama.
No egos.
Just people who love cannabis, love music, appreciate art, and enjoy spending time with like-minded people.
That’s exactly what this community should be about.
Hats Off to Justin & The Basement Chronicles
Events like this don’t happen by accident.
They happen because someone is willing to spend countless hours planning, organizing, solving problems, and bringing people together.
Justin and everyone involved with The Basement Chronicles deserve tremendous credit.
They created far more than just another cannabis festival.
They created an experience.
One that people will be talking about long after the tents come down.
On behalf of myself, OG Strain, and everyone at Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis), congratulations on an incredible event.
The cannabis community should be proud of what you and your team accomplished.
And before I wrap this up…
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.
If the Summer High Festival is any indication of your planning skills, I’m pretty sure your wedding reception is going to need its own parking crew.
Here’s wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together.
We’ll see everyone next year.
Bring sunscreen.
Bring good vibes.
And maybe bring an extra lawn chair…
…because something tells me this festival is only getting bigger.
The Summer High Festival:
https://youtu.be/klCOQnhPf_s?is=5QTr756ity9Z7rbC
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