Facebook Wants My ID, My Face, and My Patience… But Still Can’t Explain What I Did Wrong

Well, it happened again.

Facebook restricted my account.

And honestly, at this point, the restriction itself isn’t even the most frustrating part.

The biggest problem is the lack of clear answers.

When a platform that holds years of your memories, connections, conversations, and communities suddenly limits your access, you deserve to know why.

Instead, I found myself going through a digital obstacle course.

First, Facebook asked me to verify my identity by submitting my driver’s license.

I did it.

Then came the video verification process, where you have to look up, look down, look left, and look right like you’re auditioning for the strangest technology test ever created.

I did that too.

Then came the codes.

Code after code after code.

And somehow, the process still didn’t work.

For a platform used by billions of people around the world, that experience leaves a lot of questions.

Security is important.

Protecting accounts is important.

But so is transparency.

When users are asked to prove who they are, the platform should also explain clearly what problem caused the restriction in the first place.

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The “Crime” Was Criticism

Now let’s talk about what led up to this situation.

I wasn’t threatening anyone.

I wasn’t trying to harm anyone.

I wasn’t doing anything dangerous.

I expressed frustration.

I filed a complaint.

I criticized the way I felt my issue was being handled.

Yes, my words were sarcastic.

Yes, I was frustrated.

But criticism is part of running a business.

Every major company receives complaints.

Every major company has unhappy customers.

The difference between a company that grows and one that struggles is how it responds when people speak up.

A strong company listens.

A strong company improves.

A strong company understands that criticism can be valuable feedback.

When customers feel like speaking up creates problems instead of solutions, trust begins to disappear—especially when childish Facebook employees restrict your account illegally because they got overly emotional about your complaint and criticism of them, sought revenge, and restricted your account solely for revengeful purposes.

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When Users Feel Like They Don’t Have a Voice

Nobody expects every employee at a company to be perfect.

Mistakes happen.

Miscommunication happens.

But when a company has billions of users, the responsibility to communicate clearly becomes even more important.

A customer saying, “Your service needs improvement,” should be seen as an opportunity to fix something.

It shouldn’t become a situation where the customer feels ignored or, even worse, gets their account restricted just because a Facebook employee felt hurt by your complaint about them, took it personally, and restricted your account as a way to hurt you for revengeful reasons.

These are the types of employees Facebook is known for hiring, and I’ve been working very hard, with some success, to get these types of employees terminated.

Lawsuits are being filed, and we have big-time attorneys working on this case as we speak.

The internet changed the relationship between companies and consumers because people finally had a public voice.

But what happens when the platforms that give us that voice also have the power to limit our ability to use it?

That is a question worth asking.

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The Promise of “Free”

One of the biggest reasons Facebook became such a powerful platform is because people trusted it.

From the beginning, Facebook built its reputation around being free.

People joined because they wanted to connect with friends, share family moments, build communities, and communicate without paying a monthly fee.

People trusted Facebook with something extremely valuable:

Their memories.

Their photos.

Their personal connections.

Their history.

For many users, Facebook became a digital scrapbook of their lives.

But when access to an account becomes restricted, people aren’t just losing access to an app.

They may feel like they are losing access to pieces of their own history.

Family photos.

Important conversations.

Years of memories.

Business connections.

That is why transparency matters so much.

When people invest years of their lives into a platform, they deserve to understand what happens when that platform limits their access.

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The Verification Question

Facebook offering paid verification is a business decision, and companies have the ability to create premium services.

The question many users are asking is what happens to the people who choose not to pay.

If users begin feeling that the best experience, better support, or easier solutions are connected to paying, it creates concerns about whether the relationship between the platform and its users has changed.

The word “free” means something to people.

Trust is built on expectations.

When expectations change, companies need to communicate clearly.

Facebook needs to admit that they intentionally cause problems, restrictions, and chaos to accounts by disabling reach and use of the platform in an attempt to force people into the paid verification option.

They are purposely causing chaos for unverified accounts in an attempt to get you to pay for verification, making their original claim that “Facebook will always be free” a flat-out lie.

These lawsuits, if successful, will offer proof that Facebook is currently using a “create restriction and chaos” campaign against unverified Facebook accounts in an attempt to force users into paying for verification so they can avoid future problems intentionally caused by Facebook to their accounts.

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The Bigger Problem: Depending on One Platform

But the biggest lesson here may not just be about Facebook.

It’s about how much power we give any single platform.

Many creators, businesses, artists, and everyday people have built their entire online presence in one place.

That creates a dangerous dependency.

Because when one company controls your audience, your communication, and your access, you are putting a lot of power into one set of hands.

The solution is not necessarily to leave one platform completely.

The solution is to have options.

Build your own website.

Build an email list.

Use multiple platforms.

Keep backups of important memories and information.

Do not build your entire digital life in one location.

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Don’t Hand Away Your Digital Freedom

This isn’t about telling everyone they need to hate Facebook.

It’s about understanding the importance of having choices.

Freedom comes from options.

A platform should be a tool—not something that controls your ability to connect, communicate, or build your community.

The internet was built on the idea that people could connect, communicate, and create.

That power belongs with the users.

The more platforms and communities we support, the less control any single company has over our digital lives.

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Exploring Legal Options

Because of the concerns raised in this article, I am currently exploring what legal options may be available and have begun discussing these issues with attorneys.

If you believe you have experienced similar problems with Facebook, including account restrictions, loss of access, communication issues, business impacts, or other situations where you feel you were treated unfairly, I encourage you to preserve your documentation.

Save screenshots.

Save emails.

Keep records of dates, account issues, financial impacts, and any communication you had with Facebook.

If you have information or experiences you believe may be relevant, you can reach out and share your documentation so it can be reviewed and, if appropriate, provided to legal professionals evaluating these concerns.

Every documented experience helps create a clearer understanding of what users are experiencing.

This is incredibly important when generating a lawsuit that has potentially a massive payout and could easily turn into a class-action lawsuit against Facebook, which could force Facebook to pay for lost wages, lost time, communication with loved ones, failed businesses, and could amount to billions of dollars that Facebook could be forced to pay out with the success of this lawsuit.

This is about accountability, transparency, and making sure users have a voice when dealing with platforms that have become such a major part of our personal lives, businesses, and communities.

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Final Thoughts From OG Strain

Facebook changed the world.

That cannot be denied.

It helped people reconnect with old friends, build communities, grow businesses, and share moments that otherwise might have been forgotten.

But with great influence comes great responsibility.

A platform this powerful should be able to handle criticism.

It should communicate clearly.

It should respect the people who helped build it into what it is today.

The bigger lesson goes beyond Facebook.

Never give one platform complete control over your voice, your memories, and your community.

Don’t be a sheep!

Try X and other, better platforms that actually respect freedom of speech and constitutional rights, unlike Facebook.

Technology should be a tool.

Not something that controls your ability to connect with the world.

Your voice belongs to you.

Not to an algorithm.

Not to a corporation like Facebook.

To you!

Join me and this lawsuit against Facebook to keep your voice yours!

• OG Strain

Every cannabis community has certain individuals who become recognized as more than just content creators.

They become storytellers.

They become educators.

They become familiar faces that people associate with the culture, the movement, and the people who continue pushing the industry forward.

In my opinion, every major cannabis state has those personalities who have helped shape the modern cannabis conversation.

In California, many people recognize Dope As Yola as one of the most influential cannabis creators of his generation. Through years of videos, reviews, and community engagement, he has become a recognizable name far beyond California’s borders.

In Colorado, there is Matt White, the creator behind The Strain Show, whose educational approach has helped countless people better understand cannabis, cultivation, genetics, and the science behind the plant. Matt’s work represents the importance of education in an industry that continues evolving every year.

And here in New York, I believe we have that same type of passionate grassroots voice in OG Strain.

Not because someone gave him a title.

Not because he asked for one.

Because he earned the respect of the community through consistency, passion, and genuine dedication to the people building New York cannabis.

At The Plug’s Pages, we have had the privilege of watching that journey happen firsthand.

When Herbert Greenstein and I opened our platform to OG Strain, we recognized something immediately: this was someone who wasn’t simply interested in talking about cannabis.

He was interested in celebrating the people behind it.

That difference matters.

Since joining The Plug’s Pages, OG Strain has become one of our most active and recognizable contributors, bringing readers stories about cultivators, dispensaries, processors, manufacturers, event organizers, entrepreneurs, and innovators throughout New York and beyond.

His work has never just been about products.

It has always been about people.

That has been his greatest strength.

OG Strain doesn’t simply show up with a camera and ask what a company sells.

He wants to know who they are.

Why did they start?

What challenges did they overcome?

What makes their product special?

What are they contributing to the community?

Those are the questions that create meaningful stories.

And meaningful stories are what build an industry.

Whether he is traveling across the 518, heading south of Albany, traveling west, or spending hours at cannabis events throughout the state, OG Strain has consistently shown that he is willing to put in the work.

He drives the miles.

He creates the content.

He builds the relationships.

He supports the people who deserve recognition.

And perhaps the most important thing he brings cannot be measured by numbers.

Trust.

When people meet OG Strain, they quickly understand that his passion is real.

He isn’t interested in tearing people down for attention.

He isn’t interested in creating unnecessary drama.

He wants to see good people succeed.

That authenticity is something the cannabis community recognizes immediately.

At The Plug’s Pages, we are proud that we were able to provide OG Strain with a larger platform to share his voice.

Have we helped introduce his work to a wider audience?

We believe we have.

But the credit belongs to him.

We did not create his passion.

We did not create his work ethic.

We did not create the relationships he built.

We simply gave a talented writer and passionate cannabis advocate an open microphone and watched him use it.

And he has made the most of that opportunity.

As long as The Plug’s Pages continues to grow, OG Strain will always have a place here.

Now, we are excited to take that partnership even further.

Over time, we have witnessed something remarkable.

The cannabis brands and companies we have chosen to support have continued to grow, gain recognition, and expand their reach within the industry.

Many have experienced tremendous success after being introduced to our audience.

Could those companies have succeeded without us?

Absolutely.

Great companies with great products deserve recognition.

But we cannot ignore the pattern we have witnessed.

When we believe in a company, and when OG Strain believes in a company, the cannabis community listens.

Maybe it is because people trust our platform.

Maybe it is because OG Strain has developed a reputation for being honest and genuine.

Maybe it is because consumers are looking for real recommendations from real people instead of traditional advertising.

Whatever the reason, the results have been undeniable.

That is why we are opening the door to more collaborations with cannabis businesses that are serious about making an impact.

If you are a cannabis company, a new brand, a cultivator, a processor, or an entrepreneur building something meaningful, we want to hear your story.

But there is one thing that will never change:

We do not support everything.

We never have.

Our reputation is built on trust, and that trust is more valuable than any paycheck.

Before we ever put our name behind a company, we want to understand who you are, what you represent, and what you bring to this industry.

Quality matters.

Integrity matters.

Passion matters.

If we believe in your mission, we will proudly stand beside you.

Through professional articles.

Through video content.

Through interviews.

Through event coverage.

Through social media promotion.

Through the combined reach of OG Strain and The Plug’s Pages.

Traditional advertising can cost businesses thousands upon thousands of dollars, and many cannabis companies simply do not have those resources.

What we offer is something different.

Authentic storytelling from people who actually care.

Because consumers do not just want another advertisement.

They want connection.

They want honesty.

They want to know the people behind the products.

That is where OG Strain and The Plug’s Pages come in.

We are not here just to promote cannabis.

We are here to document the people who are building its future.

So if you are a cannabis company looking for a team that understands this industry, understands this community, and understands the importance of trust, we invite you to connect with us.

Show us what you are creating.

Tell us your story.

If you are doing things the right way, we want to help the world know your name.

Because at the end of the day, cannabis has always been about more than the plant.

It is about the people.

The relationships.

The passion.

The community.

And in my opinion, few people represent those values in New York cannabis better than OG Strain.

We are honored to have him as part of The Plug’s Pages family.

We are excited to see where his journey continues.

And we cannot wait to see whose story he tells next.

“You know what’s funny? People still ask me, ‘What’s the best thing you’ve found since getting into cannabis?’ They expect me to say a strain… a rosin… maybe some ridiculously terp-loaded flower. They’re always shocked when I answer… ‘The people.’”

When I first started Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis), I thought I was reviewing cannabis.

Turns out… I was reviewing humanity.

Now before anybody starts passing me tissues instead of joints, hear me out.

I have a background in sales and earned a degree in Psychology—the study of human behavior. Between that education and years of working with people, I’ve developed a pretty decent instinct for reading character. No, it’s not foolproof. Sometimes I miss. Sometimes people surprise me. But I’ve learned one thing that holds true in every industry…

Some people have huge hearts.

Some people just have huge wallets.

The cannabis industry is no different.

I’ve met people chasing dollars, and I’ve met people chasing purpose.

Guess which ones I keep around?

Exactly.

From Dispensaries to Dinner Tables

My journey started by walking into local dispensaries with nothing more than curiosity, a camera, and enough enthusiasm to make a budtender slightly nervous.

One of the first people who welcomed me was Joe Rosen from Electric City Cannabis Company, along with his superstar budtender, Sheena. They treated me like I belonged before I ever had a reason to think I did.

Then came Don Andrews and the incredible crew at Upstate Canna, another place where I never felt like just another customer.

Along the way I met amazing budtenders like Kevin at The People’s Joint, Connor and Amy at Cannabis City, and Mirk and his outstanding team at Stage One, including my buddy Scotty Knox.

These aren’t just people handing over eighths across a counter.

They’re educators.

They’re guides.

They’re ambassadors for this plant.

The Event Family

Eventually I started attending Cannabis Cups and community events.

That’s where the family tree really started growing.

I met Damn Sam—better known as Rob Robinson—along with Emily Harper, whose events have brought together some of the best people I’ve met.

I also met Robert Tambasco, the man behind the Empire State Cannabis Cup, who’s helped create another place where this community comes together to celebrate the culture instead of compete against each other.

The Growers Who Grow More Than Cannabis

Then came the growers.

And wow…

Growers are a different breed.

They’re patient.

They’re passionate.

They’re perfectionists.

Sometimes they’ll spend twenty minutes explaining one terpene profile while you’re standing there wondering if you accidentally enrolled in Cannabis University.

My journey started with Tokalotapot Seeds, followed by Cannafaded, and then I met Kiley and the incredible crew at Lazy Day Farm. Kiley welcomed me in, and I also became close with Anne MacPherson, who keeps the administrative side of the farm running while somehow managing to keep everyone else organized too.

I met Johnny Federighi and his life partner Kat, and was lucky enough to enjoy some of Johnny’s homegrown creations.

Another cultivator I’ve grown close with is John Gilboy of Gilly’s Greens, a grower whose passion for quality shows in every harvest.

Then there are the small-batch legends I proudly call friends today—Jason Longhi, Melissa Dopp, and Andy and Bill from No Mountain Higher.

These aren’t just growers.

They’re artists.

Their canvas just happens to smell amazing.

The CrisXotics Crew

One of the biggest blessings has been getting to know the family surrounding CrisXotics.

Of course there’s Cris, but that’s only the beginning.

There’s JMO from The Gas Station.

Key from Keepin’ Edibles Yummy.

Frank and Noelle from Blissful Confections.

Mullet from Adekrondack.

The always-awesome Amy and Bernie from Buddah Brothers.

Choice from Herb and Soul, bringing infused meals that somehow make you hungry while you’re already hungry.

The Candy Cartel.

Bud Master.

And honestly… I’m probably forgetting somebody, and if I am, forgive me. My memory occasionally gets higher than I do.

Friends That Became Family

I’ve known Danni Burns from Hudson Valley Green and Kevin from Higher Beings for a couple of years now.

Those guys have become family.

Especially Will Roman.

I’m convinced Will could roll a joint using a phone charger, a receipt, and positive thinking.

Cross joints?

Easy.

Art?

Absolutely.

Magic?

Possibly.

Then there’s Woodz Treez, who recently teamed up with me and Sammy for one of my favorite blind rosin tasting videos I’ve ever filmed.

Good people make good content.

It’s really that simple.

The Syracuse Brothers

Years ago I met Jus from The Basement Chronicles when they opened for Afroman.

I’ll be honest…

They stole the show.

I’ve been a fan ever since.

The more I’ve gotten to know those Syracuse brothers, the more I’ve realized they’re exactly the same off stage as they are on it—genuine, humble, and full of heart.

The People Making a Difference

I’ve also had the privilege of getting to know Jon Dow, and I look forward to honoring his late brother and celebrating the impact he made on this community.

I’ve become better friends with Ivan from Central Oddities, whose elite cold-cure rosin and ever-present RSO have made quite an impression on me.

Then there’s Adam Hagadone, known online as the Bipolar Grower.

Adam doesn’t just grow cannabis.

He grows hope.

He makes RSO to help people who need it—especially those who can’t afford it.

That’s the kind of heart you don’t forget.

Speaking of giant hearts…

How could I leave out Big Willey Will, who’s constantly sharing infused recipes with the community simply because he loves helping people enjoy cannabis in new ways?

Beyond New York

This journey hasn’t stopped at state lines.

I’ve met incredible growers across the country like Geoff Feff, whose garden photographs make cannabis lovers stop scrolling every single time.

I’ve built friendships online with people I still can’t wait to meet in person, including the crew at TorKd Farms, especially Josh Cooper.

One collaboration I’ll never forget was working with OG Granny, proving once again that passion for cannabis has no age limit.

And yes…

Getting endorsed by Afroman?

That was one of those “Is this real life?” moments.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Nancy and Deanna, the brilliant women behind Tartubes—proof that innovation in cannabis comes from all kinds of creative minds.

This Community Changed Me

If I forgot someone, please know it wasn’t intentional.

That’s the downside of meeting so many incredible people.

You worry about leaving someone out who made a real impact on your life.

The truth is…

Every handshake…

Every interview…

Every collaboration…

Every shared joint…

Every conversation over a dab rig…

Has strengthened my commitment to this community.

People reach out asking me to review products.

Some want honest feedback.

Some hope for the famous OG Strain Approved stamp.

Some even ask for endorsements.

Here’s the thing…

I’ve never accepted money to endorse cannabis.

Never.

And I never will.

If I recommend something, it’s because I actually use it.

Because I actually love it.

Because I’d tell my own friends to buy it.

Trust is worth more than sponsorship money.

That’s a hill I’ll happily smoke on.

I’m Not Chasing Clout—I’m Chasing Community

I’ve never wanted to be the loudest voice in cannabis.

I just wanted to be an honest one.

I carved out my own lane.

I’m not trying to be somebody else.

I’m not chasing clout.

I’m chasing conversations.

I’m chasing friendships.

I’m chasing laughter.

I’m chasing authenticity.

Looking back, I realize I didn’t just build a YouTube channel.

I didn’t just become a cannabis reviewer.

Somewhere along the way…

I found a second family.

And if you’ve ever shared a laugh, a story, a collaboration, a harvest, a dab, a meal, or even just a few minutes of your time with me…

Thank you.

Because the greatest thing I’ve discovered in cannabis wasn’t hidden inside a jar.

It was standing right beside it.

Stay lifted… stay genuine… and never underestimate the power of good people.