I Don’t Pick Sides — I Pick Energy

An OG Strain perspective on community, conflict, and keeping it real in the 518 cannabis scene

By OG Strain
Host of Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis)
Writer, The Plug’s Pages Magazine

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When I started Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis) about a year ago, my only goal was simple:
smoke good weed, talk honestly about it, and make a few people laugh along the way.

What I didn’t expect…
was to accidentally become part of the 518 cannabis community.

And I don’t mean “show up once and take a picture” part of the community.
I mean meet-the-people, shake-the-hands, hear-the-stories, learn-the-history part of the community.

Along the way, I’ve met growers, dispensary owners, processors, advocates, creatives, and some absolute characters. What surprised me most is that many of these people all knew each other long before I ever showed up with a camera and a questionable sense of humor.

And with history… comes history.

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Yes, There’s Drama. Welcome to Humanity.

Anywhere there are passionate people, there will be disagreements.
Anywhere there’s growth, there will be conflict.
Anywhere there’s cannabis… there will be opinions. Strong ones.

And because of the kind of person I am — approachable, open, and probably too willing to listen — people talk to me. I hear a lot. Sometimes good. Sometimes… not so flattering.

Some of it might be true.
Some of it might be exaggerated.
Some of it might be old news that refuses to die.

Here’s the part I want to be very clear about:

I give everyone a chance.

Everyone.

Even the person everyone else says I shouldn’t.

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I Make My Own Judgments — With My Own Eyes

I listen. I pay attention. I stay cautious.
But at the end of the day, I don’t borrow opinions — I form my own.

I don’t judge people by who they were five years ago, who they pissed off, or what rumor has been passed around like a bad joint. I judge people by how they treat me now, today, in real life.

People mess up. All of us.
That’s not weakness — that’s how humans learn.

What matters to me is growth, accountability, and how you move forward.

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The Nicest Guy… or Your Worst Nightmare 😌😈

Most people know me as easygoing, supportive, and genuinely kind.
And that’s true.

But what people don’t always realize is this: I return energy.

Whatever you bring to me — that’s what you’re getting back.

Bring respect? You’ll get respect.
Bring kindness? I’ll double it.
Bring love and support? I’ll ride for you.

But let’s be crystal clear (and I’ll say this once, calmly):

If you bring shady behavior, malicious intent, or try to undermine me or my platforms — my pen doesn’t write comedy anymore. It writes precision.

I’m not threatening anyone.
I’m just being honest.

I don’t want to be that guy.
But I can be that guy.

Ask around.

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Separate Relationships Exist — And That’s Okay

Here’s something else people need to understand:

Just because I work with, support, or respect someone you don’t like…
does not mean you and I have a problem.

What you’ve got going on with someone else is your business.
What I’ve got going on with you is our business.

Those lines don’t cross unless you cross them.

Personally? I’m not looking for drama. I’m looking for unity.
I want to work with everyone, get along with everyone, and stay focused on the good we can do together — despite how people feel about each other.

I go off what I see. Not what people tell me. Not what rumors say. Not what old conflicts suggest. I see, I judge, I act. Clean slate. Every time.

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About You Thinking This is About You

Here’s a funny thing: 90% of the people reading this probably think it’s about them.
The reality? It’s not.

There are like fifty different things I’m talking about. Don’t assume it’s about you — or that you know what it’s about.

But if you think it’s about you, then take it to heart when it comes to dealing with me.
Because as much as some of you have gotten to know me, most of you haven’t really, really known me for years and years.
The fact is, you’re meeting me for the first time — so look at it that way.

Everyone gets a clean and equal slate with me. Always.

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Above All: Forgiveness and Love

Even above being a cannabis advocate, above the plant, above the culture… the first thing I ask for is Christianity.

That means love.
That means forgiveness.
That means even loving your enemies.

And that’s how I approach this community.

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The Part That Really Matters

Let me say this loud enough for the people in the back:

I don’t charge this community anything for my support.

Zero.
Nothing.
Not a dollar.

I work my ass off because I believe in the plant, the culture, and the people doing things the right way. I promote. I show up. I amplify voices — not because it’s profitable, but because it’s right.

If that doesn’t tell you who I am, I don’t know what will.

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Final Word

I genuinely love this community.
I want peace, collaboration, growth, and respect.

Treat me with love and respect — and you’ll get it right back.
That’s the energy I choose to put into the world, and into my platforms.

Let’s keep it honest.
Let’s keep it human.
And let’s keep building something we can all be proud of.

🌿✍️
— OG Strain