If you’ve ever spent weeks in trim jail, hunched over a pile of cannabis buds, trimming until your fingers feel like they belong to somebody else, you already know the struggle. You finally finish trimming that beautiful harvest, and all you want to do is put your feet up, admire your work, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But before you toss that pile of leftover trim into the trash, let me ask you something: Why throw away something that still has potential?

Welcome to the world of homemade canna butter and cannabis-infused cookies, where what some people consider leftover plant material can become the starting point for something delicious.

Not All Trim Is Created Equal

First, let’s clear something up. Not all cannabis trim is created equal. Those big fan leaves you remove from your plants generally contain far less THC than the smaller sugar leaves growing around your buds. Sugar leaves often carry visible trichomes, those tiny, crystal-like structures that contain cannabinoids and aromatic compounds. That frosty material is precisely what makes sugar-leaf trim worth saving.

Personally, I prefer to save my premium flower and concentrates for smoking or vaping. After all, why use your best flower for cooking when you already have trim that might otherwise go to waste? Everybody has their own preferences, of course, but I’ve always believed in getting the most out of what you have.

You could explore other ways to use your trim, but one of my personal favorites has always been canna butter. It gives you a versatile ingredient that can be used in all sorts of homemade recipes, including cookies.

And trust me, once you discover the possibilities, you might start looking at that pile of trim a little differently.

OG Strain’s Approach to Homemade Canna Butter

Let me make one thing clear before we get into it: there are plenty of methods for preparing cannabis-infused butter. Some people swear by one technique, while others insist their method is the only way to do it. That’s fine. I’m not here to start a butter war.

This is about sharing my personal experience, what I’ve traditionally done, and why I like making use of the trim left behind after harvest.

My approach has always been to collect the trim while working over a tray or another clean surface. Rather than letting those little sugar leaves disappear into the garbage, I save them for later use.

The general principle behind canna butter is straightforward: THC and several other cannabinoids are fat-soluble, meaning they can dissolve into fats such as butter. That property is what makes butter a useful ingredient for cannabis-infused cooking.

However, the potency of the finished butter can vary considerably depending on the starting material, the amount of cannabinoids present, and how efficiently they’re transferred into the butter. Without laboratory testing, there’s no reliable way to know exactly how much THC ends up in the finished product.

That last point is important, especially if you’re planning to share your homemade creations with anybody else.

From Canna Butter to Homemade Cookies

Once you’ve prepared cannabis-infused butter, the possibilities in the kitchen are practically endless. You can incorporate it into recipes that call for butter, giving you a homemade ingredient you can use for a variety of baked goods.

One of my favorite approaches has always been to keep things simple. You don’t need to be a professional baker, own a kitchen full of fancy equipment, or spend half your day measuring seventeen different ingredients just to make something enjoyable.

Prepared cookie dough mixes are a convenient option. Many varieties require only a few additional ingredients, such as butter and an egg, making them an accessible starting point for home bakers.

Chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal, and other familiar flavors offer plenty of variety. You can choose whatever suits your taste instead of reinventing the wheel every time you want to make a batch of cookies.

Personally, I like using the premade packages of cookie dough mix where you simply add the ingredients listed on the package. It’s convenient, there are plenty of flavors to choose from, and you don’t have to be a professional baker to get something delicious out of it.

Now, let’s talk about baking temperature, because this is where I have my own preferences.

When I’m baking cookies, I prefer using a lower oven temperature than the package instructions call for. Some cookie packages recommend temperatures around 450°F, which is considerably hotter than I personally prefer when working with cannabis-infused ingredients. I generally lean toward something closer to 325–350°F, along with a shorter baking time.

My thinking has always been that I don’t want to expose the infused ingredients to unnecessarily high temperatures for longer than needed. I want to be mindful of the cannabinoids while still ending up with something that tastes good.

And I’ll be completely honest with you: I like my cookies chewy. Sometimes that means taking them out before they’re completely baked through. The outside edges are cooked, but the center can still be pretty soft.

I usually make one giant cookie, let it cool, and cut it into pieces afterward. That way, I get plenty of that soft, gooey middle that I enjoy.

Is everybody going to like their cookies that way? Probably not. Some people want a completely baked cookie, and that’s perfectly fine. Just make sure you’re following appropriate food-safety guidance, particularly when your recipe contains eggs. Undercooked dough can carry foodborne illness risks, so don’t sacrifice food safety for a softer cookie.

That’s simply my personal preference when it comes to texture. I like them chewy, and I’m not apologizing for it!

One other important thing: homemade cannabis edibles can be much stronger than expected. Without laboratory testing, you cannot reliably determine the THC content of your butter or individual cookies. Effects can take several hours to become apparent and may last much longer than smoking or vaping. Don’t keep eating more because you aren’t feeling anything immediately. Keep infused products clearly labeled, securely stored away from children and pets, and never share them without making sure everyone knows exactly what they’re consuming.

Don’t Waste the Harvest

For me, the biggest takeaway is simple: harvesting cannabis involves a lot of work, and making thoughtful use of the material you have is part of getting the most out of that effort.

After all those hours trimming, the last thing you want to do is throw away something useful simply because you don’t know what else to do with it. Sugar-leaf trim can have value beyond the trimming tray, and homemade canna butter is one option that many cannabis enthusiasts explore.

You don’t need to be a master chef to appreciate the idea, either. Sometimes keeping things simple is the best approach, especially when you’re working with ingredients you’ve already put so much effort into producing.

So the next time you finish trimming a harvest and find yourself staring at that mountain of leftover plant material, think twice before sending it straight to the trash.

Because after spending weeks in trim jail, you’ve earned the right to get a little creative in the kitchen.

And if you’re still throwing away all that frosty trim, well, I might know somebody who could put it to good use!

This is OG Strain, reminding you to make the most of your harvest, respect the plant, and always know what you’re consuming.

Seven hours, a 500 mg rosin drink, a $3,000 dab rig, a band with its own dancing army, and a nighttime walk through bear country. What could possibly go wrong?

Welcome to OG Strain’s experience at the 30th Annual NY Harvest Fest, where the cannabis was flowing, the music was rocking, the community was showing out, and my brain cells were apparently taking the day off!

I haven’t attended all 30 festivals. OG Strain is still relatively new to the Harvest Fest scene, and this was only my third or fourth time attending. But I can tell you this with confidence: I’ve never seen a Harvest Fest this packed! From the vendors to the festivalgoers, the entire place was buzzing with energy. Everywhere I turned, people were smiling, laughing, catching up with old friends, and making new ones. The vibes were overwhelmingly positive, and that alone made the trip worthwhile.

But the people were only part of the story. New York’s cannabis scene is bringing some serious heat these days, and this festival was a showcase of just how far the quality has come. The flower, cold-cure rosin, hash, edibles, and everything in between were impressive. If anyone still thinks New York isn’t producing some outstanding cannabis, they need to get out from under that rock and come see what’s happening!

MUSIC, MOUNTAIN AIR, AND A RING OF FIRE

The weather couldn’t have cooperated much better. Daytime felt like a classic Indian summer, with sunshine warming the festival grounds. Once the sun disappeared behind the Catskills, however, that mountain chill arrived in a hurry.

Thankfully, fire pits were scattered throughout the grounds. The one near Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green was especially memorable. It looked like a ring of fire burning on top of a pile of ice!

I was so lifted that I spent several minutes staring at the thing, trying to figure out why the ice wasn’t melting. Eventually, curiosity won, and I picked one up. It was glass made to look like ice, and yes, it was warm to the touch.

Apparently, I needed a science lesson along with my cannabis experience!

The music was another highlight, particularly Skeleton Crewe. I spent some time near a group of their particularly enthusiastic fans, and it was obvious this band has a following of its own. People were dancing, enjoying themselves, and clearly there for the music as much as anything else. That’s what I love about an event like this: cannabis brings people together, but the experience has something for everybody.

A 500 MG DRINK AND A VERY EXPENSIVE DAB RIG

My day got off to an interesting start. After the walk from the parking area, I was thirsty enough to make some questionable hydration decisions. I picked up a rosin-infused drink advertised at 500 mg and proceeded to chug the whole thing.

Let’s just say I wasn’t easing into the afternoon!

I don’t remember the company’s name offhand, but the drink tasted great, and I was feeling mighty comfortable not long afterward. Consider that a reminder from OG Strain: read the label, understand the serving size, and don’t treat a high-dose infused drink like a bottle of ordinary water. Edibles and infused beverages can take time to kick in, and taking more before you feel the effects can lead to an unexpectedly intense experience.

Soon after arriving, I also got to take a dab with Kev from Higher Beings using his custom Higher Beings dab rig, reportedly worth around $3,000.

That’s right. Three thousand dollars!

It was a beautiful piece, and it delivered a seriously satisfying hit. But with my luck, I could already picture myself dropping it, watching it shatter, and having to sell every jar in my collection to pay for it. So Kev held the rig while I concentrated on the important part: enjoying the dab!

OLD FRIENDS, NEW FACES, AND A COMMUNITY TOO BIG FOR ONE ARTICLE

One of the best parts of Harvest Fest was running into so many familiar faces. Honestly, trying to name everybody is a challenge. There were so many conversations, handshakes, hugs, and unexpected encounters that I’m bound to leave somebody out. If I do, forgive me. I’m better with faces than names, and after a day like this, my remaining brain cells were probably holding a staff meeting about whether to quit.

I was thrilled to run into Tony Toothpicks, who came up behind me with a big hug. He loves the song I created for Canna Mafia, especially the bars where I mention him by name. Seeing somebody genuinely enjoy something you’ve created is a great feeling.

I also caught up with my little bro, the Half Baked Homie, who’s been building his own cannabis strain-review channel and getting better all the time. He was out there reviewing three different strains on camera. I later watched one of his videos and realized he’d been trying to get me involved in a collaboration reviewing a strain called Dopamine. That’s one I wanted to try, too! Unfortunately, I was busy filming my own footage and missed the moment. We still got to hang out, enjoy some gummies, and puff together, so we’ll have to make that collaboration happen another time.

Another meaningful encounter was with Jon Dow, brother of Christopher Dow. I heard there was a tribute to Christopher happening onstage and hurried over with my camera, but I arrived too late to capture it. I did find Jon, though, and we spent a good amount of time hanging out near the stage.

Sometimes the moments you don’t capture on camera end up being the ones you appreciate most.

THE CANNABIS CUP: THREE STRAINS AND ONE SURPRISE

With so many entries in the Cannabis Cup, I only managed to try three strains. One of them turned out to be the winning entry, although I can’t confidently recall its exact name. I remember it as a fruity, chocolatey strain with a lavender-like character, but I won’t pretend to remember details I didn’t verify.

I also tried Blue Cheese from Higher Beings and a Blueberry Muffin strain that I believe came from No Mountain Higher, although I didn’t confirm the producer.

Speaking of No Mountain Higher, I stopped by their booth after the crew invited me over. Billy hooked me up with some homemade hash, and they had plenty of attractive flower and interesting products on display. I enjoyed spending time with Billy, Andy, and the rest of the crew.

Right next door, Central Oddities had the kind of booth that makes you stop walking and start asking questions. We’re talking unusual specimens, reptiles, skulls, and all sorts of bizarre curiosities, including a human skull reportedly dating back to seventeenth-century England.

If you like your shopping experience with a little horror-movie energy, that booth was right up your alley!

I also encountered the MILF brand, saw familiar cannabis personality Sammy Sativa, and spent time with Smuggles 518, who stopped by to shake my hand. Melissa Dopp, attending her first Harvest Fest, told me she was impressed with the turnout and had come for the rosin, music, and company. Sounds like she understood the assignment!

And I can’t forget Stickman Body Care, a Harvest Fest regular who always shows up in character with an impressive table and products. This year, Stickman took second place in the edible competition with his chicken-tasting tincture. I let him put some on my tongue, and I couldn’t believe how much it tasted like breaded fried chicken.

Fried chicken flavor in a tincture? My taste buds needed a minute to process that one. It was wild, and it delivered noticeable effects, too!

Later in the evening, I spotted a glassblower working right at his table, making pipes and bongs in front of the crowd. I didn’t catch his name, but that footage will be in my upcoming highlight video.

THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT SPECIAL

I was happy to connect with Sarah, Kevin, and the whole Higher Beings crew, along with Collaboration Nation, Marley, Jay, Ivan from Central Oddities, and so many others. I also briefly caught festival organizer Rob Robinson, long enough to shake his hand and give him a hug before he was off running the show again.

Rob was busy doing what organizers do: approximately seventeen jobs at once while somehow keeping the whole operation moving. I only got about 30 seconds with him, but I did capture him throwing joints into the crowd during the Cannabis Cup. I’ll have that footage in my upcoming video.

A huge thank-you goes to Rob Robinson, the festival team, and everyone who helped bring this 30th anniversary together. Events of this size take a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes, and the turnout was a testament to the effort that goes into making Harvest Fest happen year after year.

I caught up briefly with Danni Burns from Hudson Valley Green, too. Unfortunately, he had to leave before we could spend much time together. I’ll be looking to catch up with him soon, because I always appreciate what he brings to New York’s cannabis scene.

I picked up some flower from Hudson Valley Green through Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green, along with cold-cure rosin from Higher Beings. The flower and rosin were different products, and I’m looking forward to enjoying them more. Higher Beings also sweetened my purchase with some edibles at half price. That’s the sort of math even a stoner can appreciate!

Finally, Justin Appler from The Basement Chronicles showed up later in the evening, and I got to chill with him before heading out. Those last conversations were a great way to wrap up the festival.

SEVEN HOURS THAT FELT LIKE TWO — UNTIL MY HIP HAD SOMETHING TO SAY

Time flew. I spent roughly seven hours at the festival, but it felt like maybe two. The only thing keeping track of time better than my phone was my hip, which had apparently appointed itself the official event timer.

I’d been on my feet for hours, and my legs were reminding me that I’m not exactly built like a twenty-year-old marathon runner anymore.

Still, I might have stayed longer if not for the journey back to the car.

Remember that parking situation? My car was a long walk away, down the road and across a field toward the woods. By the time I headed back, it was dark, my phone was dead, and I was alone in the Catskills thinking about bears.

And not the cute bears from children’s books, either. Actual bears.

With all the talk about increased bear activity in New York, my imagination was working overtime. Add some cannabis to the equation, a painful hip, and my own concerns about being disabled and moving more slowly, and suddenly every shadow looked like it might have four paws.

I made it to the car without incident, but my phone needed about 45 minutes of charging before I had enough battery to navigate home. Then came the roughly ninety-minute drive, a stop at Wendy’s because the munchies had filed a formal complaint, and finally, home.

I had some food, settled in, and got the rest my body desperately needed.

I slept hard. So hard, in fact, that I slept through the morning and missed church. I still planned to attend the evening Mass because, despite all the joking, my gratitude for the day was very real.

WHY I’M ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR

The 30th Annual NY Harvest Fest was more than a crowded festival with great products and live music. It was a reminder of what makes this community special.

It was the friends who greeted me with hugs. The people who invited me to their booths. The vendors proud to show off their work. The bands bringing people together through music. The strangers who became familiar faces. And the organizers who worked behind the scenes to create a place where so many people could spend a day enjoying themselves.

I know I haven’t mentioned everybody by name, and for that, I sincerely apologize. There were simply too many people and too many great moments to fit them all into one article. If we crossed paths, shared a laugh, took a dab, or had a conversation, thank you for being part of my day.

To Rob Robinson, Skeleton Crewe, the vendors, the performers, the volunteers, my friends, and every festivalgoer who helped make this anniversary memorable: thank you.

And to anyone who missed this year’s event, take it from me: put next year’s Harvest Fest on your calendar. If you love cannabis, music, community, and meeting people who share your interests, this is an experience worth having.

I’m already looking forward to the next one.

In the meantime, I’ve got nearly three hours of footage to edit for the annual highlight video on Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis). Don’t worry, I’m not making you sit through three hours of me talking! I’ll do my best to turn it into something entertaining, so subscribe and hit that notification bell to catch it when it drops.

After all, the best way to relive a great day is to share it with the people who made it special.

I left Harvest Fest with sore legs, a tired hip, a dead phone, a full stomach, and a heart full of gratitude.

God blessed me with another day surrounded by good people, good music, and a community I’m proud to be part of.

And that, my friends, is a Harvest Fest worth remembering.

OG Strain out. Stay elevated, stay grateful, and I’ll see y’all next year!

— OG Strain
Host of Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis)
Author for The Plug’s Pages Magazine

https://youtube.com/@ogstraintheoriginalog?si=EVvov4bM7f6zuRBn

The countdown is on, the excitement is building, and OG Strain has a checklist longer than the line at a popular vendor booth. Here’s how we’re getting ready for the 30th Annual NY Harvest Fest Cannabis Cup!

There’s a certain kind of excitement that hits when you know something special is right around the corner. You’re looking forward to seeing your friends, meeting new people, checking out incredible vendors, discovering new products, and spending an entire day surrounded by people who share your interests. You can practically picture it already: the music playing, the conversations flowing, the smell of the autumn air, familiar faces popping up everywhere, and that first moment when you walk through the gates and realize, We’re finally here!

But before we get to that moment, there’s one small obstacle standing between us and festival happiness.

Preparation.

And if you’ve ever gotten ready for a big event, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Your mind suddenly becomes a 24-hour operations center. Did I pack everything? Did I charge everything? Where are my keys? Is my outfit clean? Did I remember my wallet? And why, after checking the same bag four times, am I still convinced I’ve forgotten something?

Welcome to the final countdown!

On Saturday, October 24, the 30th Annual NY Harvest Fest Cannabis Cup returns to Griffin House in Palenville, New York. Vendors, organizers, workers, creators, friends, and attendees are getting ready for a day dedicated to cannabis culture, community, and celebrating the harvest.

Everybody has a role to play, and everybody has something to prepare.

Some people have been planning for weeks. Others have been putting in work behind the scenes for days. And some of us are staring at a pile of equipment wondering how one person managed to accumulate so many chargers for so many different things.

I’m looking at you, camera bag.

EVERYBODY’S GETTING READY — AND NOBODY WANTS TO FORGET SOMETHING!

Think about the vendors for a minute. They’re not just waking up Saturday morning, grabbing a folding table, tossing a few products in the back seat, and hoping the cannabis gods take care of the rest.

These folks have inventory to organize, displays to prepare, booths to set up, products to transport, and customers to welcome. Some will arrive hours before the gates open, getting everything into position while the rest of us are probably still trying to decide whether we need another cup of coffee.

And before the vendors arrive, there’s a whole team of people making sure the event itself is ready. Stages, decorations, equipment, logistics, and countless other details need attention. A successful festival doesn’t magically appear because somebody said, “Let’s have a Harvest Fest!”

Well, wouldn’t that be convenient?

There’s real work behind an event like this, and everybody who contributes deserves appreciation.

But preparation isn’t just for the people working the event. Attendees have their own lists, too. Some are coordinating rides and meeting places. Others are planning their budgets, checking the weather, deciding what to wear, and figuring out how much they can fit into one day without needing a second calendar.

And then there’s me.

I’m not running a vendor booth. I’m not hosting the festival. I’m a regular guy attending Harvest Fest, just like plenty of you. But this year, I’ve got an extra mission: covering the event for Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis) on YouTube and The Plug’s Pages Magazine.

Which means my preparation list has developed a personality of its own!

OG STRAIN’S CAMERA BAG: WHERE GOOD TIMES MEET TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

I’m going to be walking around, talking with vendors, asking questions, recording interviews, capturing the atmosphere, and bringing you along for the experience.

That means my cameras need to be ready, my batteries need to be charged, my accessories need to be packed, and my equipment needs to be organized before I leave home.

And then it hit me: charging the camera isn’t enough. I’ve got to make sure there’s actually room to record something!

Let me explain.

Imagine I’m standing at a vendor’s booth. The camera is rolling. The vendor is telling me an incredible story about how their business got started. We’re having a great conversation, they’re answering questions, the footage is looking fantastic, and I’m thinking, This is exactly why I came here!

Then suddenly, my device flashes the two words every content creator dreads:

STORAGE FULL.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Now the interview has to stop. The vendor is waiting. The camera isn’t recording. And I’m standing there trying to decide which old videos I can delete without accidentally erasing something important.

Meanwhile, the perfect moment has packed its bags and left the building!

Nope. Not happening on my watch.

Clearing storage on my recording devices is officially part of my pre-festival checklist. I’m making room in advance so I can concentrate on capturing the event instead of conducting emergency digital surgery in the middle of an interview.

Because nothing says professional production quite like asking a vendor to hold that interesting story while you delete 47 videos of your own feet!

I’m also making sure my devices are charged, my chargers are packed, and everything I need is ready to go. I’ll be bringing my son along to help operate the camera, too, so we’ve got our own father-and-son production team in action.

I’ve been thinking about whether he’s had enough practice with the camera and whether we’ve got everything organized properly. I want to capture the people, the products, the conversations, the laughter, and all those little moments that make a festival memorable.

Hopefully, we come home with fantastic footage, some great interviews, and a collection of memories that makes people wish they’d been right there with us.

That’s the mission.

And step one is making sure the camera doesn’t decide it’s finished working before the festival is finished happening!

THE PERSONAL CHECKLIST: GAS, CASH, CLEAN CLOTHES & A LITTLE COMMON SENSE

Of course, camera equipment isn’t the only thing I need to worry about.

I’ve got to make sure my clothes are clean, my outfit is ready, my car has gas, my wallet is in my pocket, and my keys are where they’re supposed to be.

You know, the basic things that somehow become complicated when you’re excited about something.

It’s funny how your brain works before a big event. You can remember the name of a vendor you met six months ago, the product somebody told you about last spring, and the exact conversation you had with a friend at the last festival.

But remembering where you put your wallet?

Suddenly, you’re a detective investigating your own house.

And don’t even get me started on the final bag check. You check everything, zip the bag, walk away, stop, turn around, unzip it, and check everything again.

Why?

Because apparently the items inside might have escaped during the three seconds you weren’t looking!

Seriously, though, a little preparation can save a lot of frustration. Check your essentials, make sure your phone is charged, plan your transportation, dress for the weather, and give yourself enough time to get where you’re going.

If you’re meeting friends, coordinate ahead of time. If you’re bringing equipment, check it before you leave. If you have a long drive, make sure you’re ready for it.

And if you’re planning to purchase something at the festival, set yourself a budget so you can enjoy exploring without worrying about your spending later.

The idea is simple: take care of the little things beforehand so the big things can take center stage.

YES, OG STRAIN HAS A CANNABIS CHECKLIST, TOO!

Now, come on. You knew we weren’t getting through this article without talking about cannabis!

For me, part of getting ready means organizing my personal supplies and making sure my equipment is ready. I like having my pre-rolls prepared in advance, and I want my e-rig fully charged, with the necessary charger and accessories packed.

Personally, I like having around ten to twelve joints rolled and ready to go. I know myself. If I decide I want to enjoy one, I’d rather reach into my bag and grab a pre-roll than stop everything, find somewhere to sit, get out my papers and supplies, and start rolling while everybody else is exploring the festival.

That’s my preference. Your mileage may vary!

Some people enjoy rolling their own throughout the day. Others prefer to bring their favorite accessories. Some like traveling light and checking out what’s available from the vendors. Everybody has their own routine, comfort level, and way of preparing.

There’s no competition for who can pack the most stuff. This isn’t the Cannabis Olympics, and nobody’s handing out medals for the heaviest backpack!

The point is to think ahead about what you’ll need and what will make your day more enjoyable.

Remember to follow event rules and applicable laws, consume responsibly, and plan safe transportation in advance. Never drive impaired, and don’t assume every product or accessory is permitted everywhere at the event.

We’re going there to have a good time, enjoy the community, and make memories. Let’s keep it that way.

THE GOAL ISN’T THE STRONGEST HIGH. IT’S THE QUALITY OF THE EXPERIENCE!

Here’s something I think gets overlooked sometimes: the best festival experience isn’t necessarily about finding the strongest product or chasing the most intense buzz.

For me, it’s about the quality of the experience as a whole.

It’s the anticipation on the drive over. It’s spotting your friends in the crowd. It’s hearing music in the distance while you make your way toward the action. It’s discovering a vendor you’ve never met before and finding out they have an incredible story to tell.

It’s the laughter that catches you off guard, the conversations that last longer than expected, the unexpected introductions, and the feeling that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

And for those who choose to enjoy cannabis, it’s about making responsible choices and appreciating the experience without feeling like everything has to be a contest.

The goal isn’t to chase the strongest high you’ve ever felt. It’s to enjoy the best-quality buzz and the best overall experience you can have.

There’s a difference between chasing intensity and appreciating quality. Sometimes the best moments aren’t the ones that hit you the hardest. They’re the ones that leave you smiling long after they’ve passed.

That’s the kind of feeling I’m looking forward to: good company, great conversations, a welcoming atmosphere, and a community coming together to celebrate.

Think about that for a second.

Picture yourself arriving, taking in the scene, hearing the music, spotting somebody you haven’t seen in months, and walking over to say hello. You start talking, somebody introduces you to somebody else, and suddenly you’re laughing with people you might never have met if you hadn’t shown up.

You wander over to a booth and discover something new. You stop to watch what’s happening near the stage. You run into another friend on your way somewhere else. Before you know it, the day is flying by, and you’re wondering how so much fun managed to fit into so few hours.

That’s the kind of euphoria that comes from anticipation turning into a genuinely good experience.

No checklist can guarantee a perfect day, but being prepared gives you more room to enjoy the moments that make it special.

And that’s what I’m after.

THE REAL REASON I’M SO EXCITED? THE PEOPLE!

Don’t get me wrong. I’m looking forward to seeing what the vendors bring, checking out the products, filming interviews, and capturing content for my channel and the magazine.

But the thing I’m probably most excited about is seeing everybody.

There are so many people I know who are planning to attend, and I can’t wait to catch up with them. Friends from the cannabis community, familiar faces from previous events, people I’ve connected with online, and folks I’ve been meaning to see in person again.

Social media is great for keeping in touch, but there’s something different about actually being in the same place.

You get to shake hands, give hugs where welcome, share a laugh, hear what’s been happening in everybody’s lives, and enjoy the kind of conversations that are hard to replicate through a screen.

And that’s one of the things I appreciate about this community. Beyond the products and businesses, there are real people with stories, ambitions, personalities, and friendships that continue to grow.

Some of my favorite moments at events happen when I’m not even looking for them. A random conversation turns into a great connection. Somebody says something hilarious. You bump into a friend you weren’t expecting to see. An ordinary moment becomes one you’ll remember for years.

Those are the moments you can’t schedule.

You can prepare your equipment, charge your batteries, clear your storage, and organize your bag. But you can’t plan every laugh, every surprise, or every conversation that makes the day worthwhile.

You just have to show up ready to experience it.

And believe me, I’m ready!

YOUR FINAL HARVEST FEST CHECKLIST: DON’T LET YOURSELF BE THE PLOT TWIST!

Before Saturday arrives, here’s your friendly reminder from OG Strain to take a few minutes and get yourself organized.

The night-before checklist:

Check your phone, camera, and other device batteries.
Clear enough storage for the photos and videos you plan to capture.
Pack your chargers, cables, and any necessary accessories.
Get your clothes ready and check the weather forecast.
Make sure you have your wallet, identification, keys, and other essentials.
Check your gas and plan your route and transportation.
Coordinate with friends if you’re meeting up.
Set a budget if you’re planning to shop.
Pack any permitted personal supplies you’ll need.
Get some rest so you can enjoy the day.

And here’s my personal favorite: once you’ve finished your checklist, actually look at it!

There’s no point making a list if you’re going to ignore it and rely on your memory. My memory is excellent when it comes to cannabis events and terrible when it comes to remembering why I walked into a room.

Maybe that’s just me.

If you’re traveling, give yourself plenty of time, follow event guidance, and remember that weather, crowds, and schedules can change. A little flexibility goes a long way.

Most importantly, don’t let the preparation become more stressful than it needs to be. We’re getting ready to enjoy ourselves, not preparing for a mission to Mars!

SATURDAY, WE CELEBRATE THE HARVEST!

After all the planning, charging, packing, checking, double-checking, and last-minute scrambling, Saturday will finally arrive.

The vendors will be ready. The organizers will have put in the work. Friends will be arriving from different directions. Music will fill the air, conversations will start flowing, and people will begin exploring everything the festival has to offer.

And somewhere in the middle of it all, OG Strain will be walking around with a camera, asking questions, meeting people, and trying to capture as much of the experience as possible.

My son and I will be doing our best to bring you along for the ride. The cameras will be ready, the storage will be cleared, and hopefully the only thing running out will be the time before I get to see everybody!

I’m genuinely looking forward to this. I’m ready for some fun. I’m ready to reconnect with friends, meet new people, see what the vendors have been working on, and enjoy a day surrounded by people who share a passion for this community.

Thirty years of Harvest Fest is something worth celebrating. And whether you’re attending as a vendor, an organizer, a creator, or simply somebody who wants to enjoy the day, you’re part of the gathering that makes this event what it is.

So get your things together. Charge those batteries. Clear that storage. Find those keys. Check that wallet. And if you catch yourself checking the same bag for the fifth time, don’t worry. You’re among friends!

Let’s show up ready to enjoy ourselves, support the community, discover something new, and make this a Harvest Fest we’ll be talking about long after Saturday is over.

Because the real magic isn’t just in what we bring with us. It’s in what we experience together.

This isn’t just another Saturday. It’s a celebration of the harvest, the community, the culture, and the people who make it all worthwhile.

I’ll see you all Saturday at the 30th Annual NY Harvest Fest Cannabis Cup at Griffin House in Palenville, New York!

Until then, get prepared, get excited, and don’t forget to clear that storage!

OG Strain out. See you at Harvest Fest!