Why the Cannabis Industry Needs More Confidence, More Kindness, and a Lot Less Fear

I’ve been blessed to wear a lot of hats in this industry.

I’m a writer for The Plug’s Pages Magazine. I’m also a cannabis content creator on YouTube, where I travel across New York covering festivals, competitions, pop-up events, dispensary openings, and just about anything that brings this incredible community together.

After meeting hundreds of vendors over the years, I’ve noticed something.

There are two kinds of vendors.

The first kind?

They welcome people with a smile.

They love talking about their products. They enjoy educating consumers. They appreciate every new face that walks by because they understand one simple truth:

Every stranger is a potential customer.

Then there’s the second kind.

The ones who seem terrified of being noticed.

They don’t want their booth recorded.

They don’t want their products seen.

They don’t want their business name mentioned.

They don’t want anyone to know they’re even there.

Now listen…

That’s your right.

Seriously.

If you politely tell me, “Hey brother, I’d rather not be on camera,” you know what happens?

I smile.

I apologize.

I point my camera somewhere else.

When I’m editing later that night, I cut you completely out of the video.

Every single time.

No questions asked.

Respect goes both ways.

What doesn’t work is leading with disrespect.

Recently, while covering the Summer High Festival in Williamstown, I experienced exactly what I’m talking about.

Out of an entire festival filled with positive people, hugs, laughter, music, great conversations, and incredible vendors…

There was one exception.

One vendor didn’t simply ask not to be filmed.

Instead, he decided that insults were somehow the best way to get my attention.

Here’s the funny part…

I didn’t even hear what he said at first.

All I heard was that he preferred not to be recorded.

My response?

“No problem.”

I smiled.

I walked away.

It wasn’t until I was editing my footage later that evening that I heard what my camera microphone had captured before his request.

Honestly?

Thank God I didn’t hear it at the event.

Summer High was about peace, community, music, and cannabis.

It deserved to stay that way.

Had I heard those words in the moment, things could have gone in a direction neither of us would’ve been proud of.

Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.

Now before anyone mistakes my kindness for weakness…

Don’t.

I’m respectful because I choose to be.

I believe in returning the same energy people give me.

Treat me with respect?

You’ll probably gain a friend.

Treat me like family?

I’ll hype your business every chance I get.

Treat me like garbage?

Well…

Let’s just say cameras have excellent microphones.

Thankfully, maturity won that day.

Because this article isn’t about embarrassing someone.

It’s about learning from the experience.

Publicity Isn’t the Enemy—It’s the Business

One thing I’ve learned from writing for The Plug’s Pages Magazine is that publicity has value.

We don’t claim to make businesses successful.

Success comes from hard work, quality products, consistency, and treating customers the right way.

But what we absolutely do is shine a spotlight on businesses we believe in.

Exposure creates opportunity.

Opportunity creates customers.

Customers create growth.

Look at Electric City Cannabis Company.

They were one of the first legal dispensaries we proudly featured and promoted. Today they’re expanding with a second location under the same ownership. Did The Plug’s Pages make that happen? Of course not. That success belongs to the owner and the team that built an outstanding business.

But did positive publicity help more people discover them?

I’d be willing to bet it didn’t hurt.

Another perfect example is Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green.

I’ve watched them grow tremendously over the years.

Their products are phenomenal.

Their branding is memorable.

But what separates them from thousands of other vendors isn’t just what’s inside the package.

It’s the people behind it.

They welcome conversations.

They welcome cameras.

They welcome interviews.

They genuinely love meeting people and educating consumers.

They’re some of the friendliest personalities in the cannabis industry, and that positive energy shows in everything they do.

That’s why people keep coming back.

Quality products may get someone’s attention once.

Great personalities keep them coming back forever.

And then there’s Best Budz.

If you’re a vendor looking for someone to learn from, watch this guy.

He may not be the biggest name in the industry—yet—but if you ask me, he’s on the right path.

Why?

Because he understands something money can’t buy.

He understands people.

Every time I’ve interacted with him, he’s been one of the friendliest guys you’ll ever meet. He’s generous with his time, generous with his knowledge, and he’s never afraid to let people experience what he has to offer. He’ll gladly hand out free samples because he believes in his products and wants people to experience the quality for themselves.

That’s confidence.

That’s customer service.

That’s how you build loyal supporters instead of one-time customers.

His kindness left an impression on me, and because of that, I’ll absolutely be stopping back on payday to support his business. Not because he asked me to—but because he earned it.

Promotion doesn’t create quality.

Quality creates promotion.

But when you combine quality products with genuine kindness and a willingness to let the community discover your brand…

That’s when businesses grow.

Kindness Is the Cheapest Marketing You’ll Ever Buy

I’ve watched vendors hand out free stickers.

Free laughs.

Free education.

Free conversations.

Free smiles.

And yes…

Sometimes even free samples.

You know what happens?

People remember them.

People come back.

People tell their friends.

That’s marketing.

You don’t need a million-dollar advertising budget.

Sometimes all it takes is treating people like human beings.

I’ve bought products simply because someone was genuine.

I’ve also walked away from products I wanted because the attitude behind the table made me lose interest.

Your booth isn’t just selling merchandise.

It’s selling you.

Cameras Aren’t the Problem

Let’s clear something up.

Content creators aren’t automatically trying to expose anybody.

Most of us are trying to help.

When I record an event, I’m documenting the atmosphere.

The music.

The community.

The creativity.

Sometimes I film artwork.

Sometimes handcrafted pieces.

Sometimes decorations.

Sometimes the little details people spent weeks preparing.

If someone politely asks me not to include something…

Done.

No argument.

No ego.

Just respect.

That’s how adults solve problems.

The experience I had at Summer High reminded me of something.

It isn’t cameras that hurt businesses.

Bad attitudes do.

Think about it.

I wasn’t filming cannabis.

I wasn’t exposing anybody’s personal information.

I was literally filming some beautiful rocks at a public vendor booth because they caught my eye.

Maybe I thought someone watching my video would be interested.

Maybe I was thinking about buying something myself.

The point is…

A polite request would’ve ended the conversation in five seconds.

Instead, unnecessary hostility turned what could’ve been a positive interaction into one I’ll probably never forget.

That’s not how you build customers.

That’s how you lose them.

The Vendors Who Win

The vendors who consistently succeed aren’t always the ones with the flashiest booths.

They’re the ones people remember.

They’re approachable.

They’re patient.

They’re passionate.

They’re confident enough to let the public see what they’ve built.

Because they understand something simple.

People can’t support a business they don’t know exists.

If you’re afraid to let people see your products…

If you’re afraid to let people know your business name…

If you’re afraid to let someone photograph your display at a public festival…

You have to ask yourself a serious question.

Why are you vending in the first place?

This industry rewards confidence.

It rewards authenticity.

It rewards people who believe in what they’ve created.

Moving through every event in fear isn’t a business strategy.

It’s a limitation.

The vendors who thrive are the ones willing to stand proudly behind their products and let the world discover them.

One Last Hit

If you’re going to spend your weekend at a cannabis festival surrounded by music, laughter, creativity, good people, and one of the most welcoming communities you’ll ever find…

Enjoy it.

Smile.

Meet people.

Shake hands.

Tell your story.

Build your brand.

Because life’s too short to spend an entire festival acting like someone stole your grinder.

The cannabis community deserves vendors who love people as much as they love the plant.

If you’re kind, confident, and passionate, people notice.

If you’re respectful, people remember.

If you’re approachable, your business grows.

The best vendors don’t hide behind fear.

They stand proudly behind their products.

And trust me…

The public notices the difference.

And if you’re wondering what separates a good vendor from a great one, the answer isn’t complicated.

A great vendor believes in what they’re selling.

A great vendor isn’t afraid to let people see it.

A great vendor treats every person who walks up to the booth like they matter.

Do that consistently, and you’ll build something much bigger than a customer base.

You’ll build a reputation.

In this industry, that’s worth more than any marketing budget money can buy.

Let’s be honest…

Most cannabis events follow a pretty familiar formula. You show up, walk around a few vendor tables, grab a couple goodies, talk terpenes for fifteen minutes, then head back home wondering why you just spent two hours standing in a parking lot.

Crisxotics didn’t get that memo.

Instead, they asked a simple question:

“What if cannabis events actually felt like family reunions… minus the awkward uncle asking why you’re still single?”

The result?

Crisxotics Fridaze in the Crick.

And if you’ve never been to one, this Friday might be the perfect time to change that.

⸻

A Different Kind of Friday Night

Forget crowded bars.

Forget sitting on your couch scrolling your phone for the hundredth time.

Instead, picture yourself surrounded by some of the best cannabis vendors in the 518, hanging out beside a peaceful creek in North Hoosick (or Eagle Bridge, depending on who you ask). Around here, the locals simply call it “The Crick.”

From 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, the atmosphere transforms into something that feels less like a business event and more like a backyard family cookout where everyone just happens to be passionate about great cannabis.

According to Bernie from Buddah Brothers, that’s exactly the point.

“It’s kind of like a big family dinner.”

And honestly…

That’s probably the best description anyone could give.

⸻

Come Hungry… Seriously.

Now let’s talk about the part that immediately caught my attention.

FREE HIBACHI.

Yes…

You read that correctly.

Free.

As in the kind of free that doesn’t require a coupon, a secret handshake, or selling your first-born child.

Bernie says Cris is the man behind the grill, and cooking has become just as much a tradition as the cannabis itself.

One week it might be tacos.

Another week fajitas.

Sometimes chopped cheese.

But when Hibachi Night rolls around…

You’re looking at steak or chicken sizzling on the grill alongside fried rice and vegetables.

By the time that aroma starts drifting through the trees, your stomach will be louder than your buddy trying to explain why he “only meant to buy one edible.”

The vendors joke that they spend so much time together they probably see each other more than their own families.

That shared meal isn’t just about filling stomachs.

It’s about catching up, talking about new products, sharing stories from the week, laughing together, and building friendships that extend well beyond vendor booths.

That’s something you don’t find at just any cannabis event.

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How The Crick Became Home

Like many good stories, this one started with an idea.

The Crisxotics crew had already been building successful events across New York, making stops in places like Fort Plain, Greenville, and Schenectady.

Then Amy and the Crisxotics family started talking about bringing something special to the North Hoosick area.

When the cabin became available, everyone decided to take a chance.

It happened fast.

Really fast.

But with vendors like Blissful Confections NY, Chaos Budz, The Gasss Station, The Buddah Brothers, and Crisxotics all jumping in together, they planted their flag.

Now the North Hoosick location has become one of the regular homes for Fridaze in the Crick, alongside the Schenectady events.

Sometimes all it takes is one crazy idea and the right people willing to say…

“Let’s do it.”

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It’s Bigger Than Cannabis

Sure…

People come to see amazing vendors.

They come looking for quality products.

They come hoping to discover something new.

But according to Bernie, something else keeps bringing people back.

The people.

Every event introduces customers to growers, processors, edible makers, hash lovers, concentrate fanatics, longtime enthusiasts, curious newcomers, and friends they haven’t seen in months.

Everyone gathers in one place.

Nobody’s in a hurry.

People actually sit down.

They hang out.

They roll one up.

They laugh.

They eat.

They make memories.

As Bernie put it:

“It’s a family thing.”

That simple sentence might explain why these events continue growing every single month.

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Don’t Hear About It… Be There.

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to check out a Crisxotics event…

Consider this your sign.

Great people.

Great cannabis.

Some of the best vendors the 518 has to offer.

A relaxing creekside atmosphere.

And a free hibachi dinner that’s worth showing up hungry for.

Honestly…

The only bad decision you can make is staying home and spending another Friday night arguing with Netflix about what to watch.

Event Details

CRISXOTICS FRIDAZE IN THE CRICK

Friday
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

North Hoosick / Eagle Bridge, NY

Location: Contact your favorite participating vendor via direct message for the event address.

Bring your appetite.

Bring a friend.

And don’t be surprised if you leave feeling less like you attended an event… and more like you just joined the family.

Because around The Crick…

That’s exactly what happens.

Why Every Cannabis Business Needs to Stop Relying on Facebook Before It’s Too Late

If your entire cannabis business depends on one Facebook account… congratulations—you’ve built your house on a folding table.

One restriction, one suspension, one algorithm having a bad day, and suddenly years of hard work disappear faster than a joint at a family barbecue.

I’ve lived it.

More than once.

And if you’re serious about growing in this industry, let me save you from learning this lesson the hard way.

Stop Putting All Your Eggs in One Basket

The biggest mistake I ever made was believing Facebook was enough.

It wasn’t.

Like many people, I created other accounts through Facebook because it was quick and convenient. Sounds smart, right?

Wrong.

The moment Facebook restricted my account, it affected my connected Instagram account too because Facebook controlled both.

Lesson learned.

I eventually created a completely separate Instagram account that wasn’t tied to Facebook at all. Since then, whenever Facebook decides to put me in timeout, my independent Instagram keeps running just fine.

That’s the difference between owning your audience and borrowing it.

If you’re creating social media accounts today, create them independently whenever possible. Don’t hand one platform the keys to every door in your business.

Diversify.

Always.

Every Platform Reaches Different People

Here’s something many businesses don’t understand.

You’re not looking for the same audience over and over.

You’re looking for more audiences.

The cannabis community isn’t hiding in one place.

Some people live on YouTube.

Others spend all day on Instagram.

Some love X.

Some are scrolling Twitch.

Others never leave TikTok.

Every platform introduces you to people who may have never discovered your brand otherwise.

If your content only exists on Facebook, you’re voluntarily ignoring thousands of potential customers every single day.

That’s like opening a dispensary and locking four out of the five entrance doors.

My Platform Lineup

Today I spread my content everywhere I reasonably can.

My YouTube channel.

The Plug’s Pages Magazine.

Instagram.

X.

TikTok.

Twitch.

Each one serves a different purpose.

Each one reaches different people.

And most importantly…

None of them should have the power to erase everything I’ve built overnight.

My Experience with Facebook vs. X

Everyone’s experience with social media is different, but here’s mine.

Facebook has been the platform where I’ve dealt with the most restrictions, suspensions, reduced visibility, and frustration while creating cannabis content.

X has been almost the complete opposite.

In my personal experience, it has allowed me to speak far more openly without constantly wondering if today’s post will be tomorrow’s violation.

Whether you’re discussing cannabis genetics, legalization, product reviews, or simply expressing an opinion, that freedom matters to creators.

Personally, I believe more power should rest with users deciding what they want to engage with rather than platforms making every decision for them.

I’ve also documented situations where I believe criticism directed toward Facebook moderators or policies was followed by additional actions against my account. I have preserved evidence relating to my own experiences and intend to present it publicly at the appropriate time.

You can agree or disagree.

I’m simply sharing what happened to me.

Running Your Online Presence Is Practically a Full-Time Job

Let’s be honest.

Growing cannabis is work.

Running a dispensary is work.

Breeding genetics is work.

Manufacturing products is work.

Operating a business is work.

Now add…

Writing content.

Filming videos.

Editing.

Posting.

Replying to comments.

Managing Facebook.

Managing Instagram.

Managing YouTube.

Managing X.

Managing TikTok.

Managing Twitch.

Writing magazine articles.

Keeping up with ever-changing platform rules.

Trying to figure out why one post reaches 20,000 people while the next one reaches your mom and one guy named Steve.

It’s exhausting.

Before long, you’re spending more time fighting algorithms than growing your business.

That’s Where I Come In

Here’s the truth.

I’m not looking to work for just anybody.

If I don’t believe in your product, I’m probably going to pass.

But if you have quality flower…

Quality concentrates…

Quality genetics…

Quality apparel…

Quality accessories…

Or anything that genuinely helps move the cannabis community forward…

Let’s talk.

People who know me already know how I operate.

I don’t make one video, collect a check, and disappear.

I go hard.

When I believe in something, I become part of the team.

I’ve promoted businesses for little or no money simply because I believed they deserved more attention.

Ask them.

Seriously.

Reach out.

Ask whether I still mention them years later.

Ask whether I still support them.

The answer will tell you everything you need to know.

Promotion Isn’t an Expense—It’s an Investment

Some companies spend thousands on advertising that nobody remembers.

I’d rather create content people actually want to watch.

Funny content.

Honest reviews.

Magazine articles.

Videos.

Interviews.

Event coverage.

Community engagement.

That’s what builds trust.

That’s what builds loyal customers.

If your marketing budget is small, don’t assume you can’t afford promotion.

Reach out anyway.

We’ll figure something out.

Because if I genuinely believe in what you’re building, I want to help people discover it.

Final Hit

The cannabis industry moves fast.

Social media changes even faster.

Don’t let one platform decide whether your business lives or dies.

Build everywhere.

Own your audience.

Create independent accounts.

Diversify your reach.

And never—ever—put your entire cannabis empire into one basket…

Especially if that basket is Facebook.

Because trust me…

You don’t want years of hard work disappearing faster than your buddy saying,

“Bro…I only took one hit.”

⸻

About the Author

OG Strain is the creator of Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis) on YouTube and a contributing writer for The Plug’s Pages Magazine. Known for his honest cannabis reviews, industry commentary, and signature sense of humor, OG Strain is passionate about helping quality cannabis businesses grow through authentic content, storytelling, and community-driven promotion. If you’ve got a product you truly believe in and you’re looking for someone who will promote it like it’s family, reach out. Great cannabis deserves to be discovered.