Or: How to Spot Someone Losing an Imaginary War Against Successful People

By OG Strain

The New York cannabis industry is growing.

You can feel it.

You see it at events. You see it at vendor pop-ups. You see it when people who started with a folding table and a dream are suddenly building legitimate brands, creating jobs, launching products, and putting money back into their communities.

Despite the economy doing its best impression of a dumpster fire, there are people in this industry making things happen.

And do you know what most of those successful people have in common?

They’re helping each other.

They’re networking.

They’re supporting one another’s businesses.

They’re showing up.

They’re collaborating.

They’re sharing opportunities.

They’re building.

Then there’s the other guy.

You know the guy.

Every industry has one.

The human equivalent of a flat tire.

The person who walks into a room and somehow lowers the property value.

The individual whose entire personality consists of bitterness, jealousy, and a deep commitment to never taking responsibility for anything.

Nothing is ever their fault.

Their business failed? Someone sabotaged them.

Nobody wants to work with them? Politics.

Nobody answers their calls? Conspiracy.

Nobody buys their products? The industry is rigged.

Meanwhile, everyone else is looking around wondering if they’ve considered the possibility that they’re simply unpleasant to be around.

Now here’s where things get funny.

Because instead of improving themselves…

Instead of learning…

Instead of networking…

Instead of asking successful people how they achieved what they achieved…

They choose a different path.

They become Facebook Batman.

Not the cool Batman.

The weird Batman.

The Batman whose superpower is reporting posts from his mother’s basement.

While successful people are building brands, attending events, creating content, and making connections, this person is conducting covert operations against social media posts.

Click.

Report.

Click.

Report.

Click.

Report.

Imagine dedicating your life to becoming the hall monitor of the internet.

Imagine seeing someone succeed and thinking:

“Instead of improving my own situation, I’m going to spend the next three hours trying to get their post removed.”

That’s not strategy.

That’s not business.

That’s not activism.

That’s not entrepreneurship.

That’s professional-level loser behavior.

The truth is that successful people generally don’t spend much time obsessing over unsuccessful people.

They’re too busy.

They’re working.

They’re building.

They’re growing.

The people who spend all day staring at somebody else’s success are usually doing so because they don’t have enough of their own.

And that’s the real tragedy.

The New York cannabis community has never had more opportunities.

There are events happening every month.

There are brands looking for partnerships.

There are creators looking for collaborators.

There are businesses looking for good people.

But some individuals would rather spend their energy trying to tear down a ladder than climbing one.

That’s a losing strategy every single time.

The cannabis industry isn’t being built by the people who report posts.

It’s being built by the people who show up.

The people who work hard.

The people who support others.

The people who understand that another person’s success does not take success away from them.

Success is not a pie.

Your neighbor getting a bigger slice doesn’t make yours smaller.

The funny thing is that the people spending all day trying to stop others from winning rarely realize how obvious they are.

Everyone notices.

Everyone sees the negativity.

Everyone sees the jealousy.

Everyone sees the bitterness.

And while they’re busy trying to block someone else’s progress, the rest of the industry keeps moving forward without them.

So here’s a revolutionary idea.

If you’re spending your evenings reporting Facebook posts from people who have never harmed you, maybe close the laptop.

Go outside.

Meet people.

Learn something.

Build something.

Create something.

Contribute something.

Because at the end of the day, the people building businesses are going to keep building businesses.

The people creating opportunities are going to keep creating opportunities.

And the self-appointed internet police force is still going to be sitting there wondering why nobody invited them to the party.

The answer isn’t complicated.

People enjoy being around builders.

Nobody enjoys being around wrecking balls.

And that’s why one group keeps growing while the other keeps refreshing Facebook.

A Love Letter to the Facebook Narcs of the Cannabis Community

By OG Strain

There is something in the cannabis community that drives me absolutely insane.

And no, it isn’t overpriced eighths.

It isn’t people calling every strain “gas” when it smells like a wet hamster and a bag of lawn clippings.

It isn’t even the guy who shows up to every event wearing a giant gold cannabis leaf chain the size of a hubcap.

No.

The thing I’m sick of is the sneaky, grimy, backdoor nonsense that comes from people who can’t compete honestly.

You know exactly who I’m talking about.

The Facebook reporters.

The post flaggers.

The undercover hall monitors of the cannabis world.

The people who see somebody succeeding and immediately start clicking buttons like they’re trying to save the nation from a national emergency.

Imagine being in the cannabis community and spending your free time reporting cannabis posts.

Think about that for a second.

You’re standing in a room full of growers, hash makers, vendors, creators, event organizers, photographers, reviewers, breeders, and entrepreneurs…

…and somehow you’ve decided your contribution is becoming Deputy Facebook.

Congratulations.

What a legacy.

Here’s the reality nobody wants to say out loud:

If your product is truly amazing, you don’t need dirty tricks.

If your flower is loud, it’ll speak for itself.

If your rosin melts faces, people will find it.

If your prices are fair, your customers will come back.

If your business is solid, nobody can stop you.

But when somebody’s first strategy is trying to remove competitors instead of improving themselves, that’s usually a giant red flag.

It’s the business equivalent of losing a race and deciding to slash everybody else’s tires.

You still didn’t win.

You just looked ridiculous.

The funniest part?

These people actually think they’re accomplishing something.

They’re not.

Every successful person I’ve ever met in this community has one thing in common:

They’re too busy building.

They’re too busy creating.

Too busy growing.

Too busy networking.

Too busy working.

The people making real moves don’t have time to sit around filing imaginary reports like they’re working the night shift at the Internet Police Department.

Meanwhile, some miserable clown is sitting at home refreshing Facebook like:

“That post got 47 likes. Better report it.”

“My competitor got a new customer. Better report it.”

“Someone is having success. This cannot stand.”

Brother, go touch grass.

Actually, don’t.

You’ll probably report the grass.

And here’s the thing that really blows my mind.

I support everybody who’s doing things the right way.

I don’t care if you’re from my circle.

I don’t care if you’re from another circle.

I don’t care if you’ve got a giant personality.

I don’t care if you’re cocky.

I don’t care if you’ve got fans.

I don’t care if you’ve got haters.

If you’ve got a quality product and you’re treating people fairly, I’ll support it.

Period.

Because that’s what healthy communities do.

Healthy communities build each other up.

Weak communities spend all day trying to pull each other down.

The difference is enormous.

One creates growth.

The other creates drama.

And here’s a lesson I’ve learned after years of watching people in every industry imaginable:

People who are obsessed with tearing others down almost always end up trapped by the negativity they create.

While they’re busy watching everyone else, everyone else is busy moving forward.

While they’re plotting, others are producing.

While they’re reporting posts, others are building brands.

That’s why these tactics never work long-term.

Success isn’t something you can report away.

You can’t click a button and erase talent.

You can’t file a complaint and eliminate hard work.

You can’t flag somebody’s determination.

And you definitely can’t stop an entire community from recognizing quality when they see it.

The cannabis community has enough challenges already.

We don’t need people acting like undercover referees in a game nobody asked them to officiate.

We need better products.

Better events.

Better networking.

Better businesses.

Better opportunities.

We need people competing through excellence instead of pettiness.

So to all the Facebook narcs out there, I have one simple suggestion:

Put the energy you’re spending on reporting people into improving your own situation.

Develop a better product.

Learn a new skill.

Build a stronger brand.

Create something people actually want.

Because at the end of the day, the market decides who wins.

Not the report button.

And if your best weapon against the competition is a Facebook violation form…

You already lost.

OG Strain

OG Strain Pulls Up to the Catskill Cannabis Cup and Accidentally Has a Better Day Than Planned

By OG Strain

You know a day is starting off questionable when you wake up, look outside, and the sky itself seems undecided.

Saturday morning for the Catskill Cannabis Cup Spring Fling looked like one of those days where Mother Nature rolled out of bed, forgot what season it was, and chose violence.

Clouds. Drizzle. Gray skies. One of those mornings where your motivation level drops lower than the bottom of a grinder.

And I’m not gonna lie…

Earlier that morning I had already been running my mouth on Facebook.

First I said if it was raining I might not even come.

Then I posted again basically saying—

“Guys… it’s not looking good.”

That’s when Danni jumped in and told me to man up because he was supposedly riding a motorcycle all the way from Lake George in the rain.

Challenge accepted.

But plans are plans.

Before heading out, I had to make a special pickup.

I scooped up Kiley from Lazy Day Farm because my man was operating under what doctors would probably describe as “less than ideal driving conditions.” Kiley had hurt his leg after falling off an A-frame ladder and was moving around in a cast and on crutches. Driving was off the menu.

So naturally… we loaded up and hit the road anyway.

When we got there?

Instant comedy.

The parking attendant took one look at us and apparently decided we qualified for the Cannabis Cup Mobility Assistance Program.

One CEO on crutches.

One guy who had already had one hip replaced and still had the other side waiting its turn.

Next thing you know—we got blessed.

Close parking.

Side entrance.

VIP treatment.

No long walk.

No complaints.

Sometimes life rewards perseverance. Sometimes it rewards showing up looking like two guys who absolutely were not trying to set any personal distance records that day.

As soon as we got inside, the first stop set the tone for the entire event.

HIGHER BEINGS BROUGHT THE HEAT

First tent we hit was Kevin and the crew over at Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green.

Now originally Danni Burns was supposed to be there too.

Which made this especially funny.

Because remember…

Earlier in the day Danni publicly told ME to man up and drive through the rain.

So I manned up.

I showed up.

And when I got there…

where was Danni?

Nowhere.

Apparently the motorcycle speech and the actual motorcycle attendance ended up being two separate events.

To be fair—we’re busting chops here.

Kevin wasn’t alone.

Kevin had the crew.

And they were holding it down the whole time.

But Danni’s business partner definitely had to carry the Higher Beings flag without his other half physically there that day.

So I’m officially taking a tiny playful victory lap on behalf of everybody who got called soft online and still showed up.

With that said—

Kevin and the crew did not disappoint.

The standout item?

A flower called Good Burger.

Listen.

I don’t say this lightly.

This stuff reminded me of the ORIGINAL New York haze.

Not “inspired by.”

Not “haze-like.”

Not “contains notes of.”

No.

This was one of those jars where you crack it open and immediately start mentally calculating whether your bank account can survive poor financial decisions.

I grabbed two ounces.

And now I regret not grabbing more.

Because according to Danni…

Sold out.

Gone.

Finished.

Extinct.

Like every strain you fall in love with.

NEVER SLEEP ON GILLY GREENS

Another surprise appearance?

John Gilboy from Gilly Greens.

This was actually my first time seeing him vending in person.

And apparently he pulled up fresh off harvest.

Fresh batches.

Fresh trim.

Fresh temptation.

I grabbed a quarter of White Flamingo and a quarter of Big Perm and I’m not exaggerating when I say I still randomly remember I own them and become emotionally invested all over again.

You know those jars you keep checking even though you already know they’re still there?

That.

If you run into Gilly Greens at an event and keep walking…

that’s on you.

THE HIGH TOLERANCE HEADQUARTERS

Then I made my way over to one of the more dangerous tents for people with self-control issues.

Irv from Smuggles 518 was set up collaborating with Exotic Exchange under the same tent.

And together?

That setup was basically the advanced class.

Irv was bringing the genetics and clones.

Exotic Exchange came loaded with all kinds of canna products.

One thing that stood out immediately?

Their 3000mg THC sour belts.

They also had rosin-filled donuts and enough heavy-hitting options that if your tolerance level still thinks dispensary gummies are “strong,” this booth may have humbled you.

Again—great energy.

Great people.

And definitely one of those spots people kept circling back to.

LONG OVERDUE: MEETING WOODZ TREEZ

One of the coolest moments of the day was officially meeting Woodz Treez.

We’ve followed each other online for a long time.

One of those situations where eventually the universe goes—

“Alright enough internet. Shake hands already.”

And that’s exactly what happened.

But Woodz Treez wasn’t riding solo.

They were collaborating for the event with Best Buds, another Utica-based brand.

And these guys had traffic.

Their infused prerolls were moving like hot cakes.

They had hash holes.

They had tinctures.

People were grabbing and going all day.

You could feel that booth had momentum.

Great energy.

Good people.

Utica represented.

THE VENDORS THAT MADE PEOPLE STOP WALKING

Another vendor I have to mention was Early Bird Gets the Best.

What made them stand out?

They were the only vendor I personally saw offering RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) syringes.

That immediately caught my attention.

But that wasn’t all—they had several other canna goodies that kept people hanging around.

Then there was 2 Menches.

And if you know…

you know.

These guys came through with that NYC exotic flower energy.

But what made their setup memorable wasn’t just the menu.

They were letting people sample flower through a Volcano—that legendary bag-filling vape setup.

And I’m not gonna lie…

they also had some flower packaged in some absolutely ridiculous X-rated packaging that was somehow funny enough to justify paying extra just to see what all the commotion was about.

Another booth worth mentioning was Shamba Boy Farms, who were serving up premium flower and attracting serious attention from people who knew what they were looking at.

And then there was one of the standout introductions of the day—

WHEN JOHNNY APPLEKUSH SAYS “COME HERE”

One vendor impressed Johnny Applekush so much that he personally pulled me over and introduced me.

That brand was Home Grown Creations.

And after checking them out…

I understood.

Premium home-grown flower.

Infused drinks.

Cookies.

Other canna goodies.

And some genuinely exotic strains.

One that stood out?

A strain called Wifey.

That was one of those booths where people walked in curious and walked away doing mental budget rearranging.

EDIBLES, FROST & NEW CONNECTIONS

I also met the crew behind Home of the Infused Poundcake out of Troy, New York.

And they deserve credit because they were showing love all day.

They had infused baked goodies and were generously handing out samples to anybody who wanted to try them—as long as they didn’t have food allergies.

Another stop was Sceymoor Frost’s Premium Cannabis.

And somewhere in the mix I ended up having one of those random event conversations that turns into an actual connection.

I met Sammie from what I believe is Sammie Sativa out of Albany.

Not 100% sure if she was officially vending that day or just there networking—but either way she was awesome to talk to.

Good conversation.

Good energy.

Exactly the kind of interactions that make events worth going to.

And one more apology—

There was also a vendor there selling infused BBQ rubs, spices and sauces for the grill that honestly looked awesome.

I completely dropped the ball and didn’t catch the brand name.

That one’s on me.

APOLOGY TO THE VENDORS I FORGOT

Now before anybody messages me—

YES.

There were more vendors.

And YES…

I forgot some names.

That’s on me.

When you spend a day bouncing booth to booth, talking flower, filming, laughing, networking and trying not to accidentally spend your gas money on another jar…

some names escape.

But if we spoke and I missed you—

show me grace.

Talk to me two or three times and I’ll remember you forever next time.

That’s a promise.

THE DRINK THAT SAVED MY LIFE

One person I absolutely do want to remember by full name is Concrete Hustle Tony Toothpicks.

Tony hooked me up with what ended up becoming one of the most unexpectedly clutch purchases of the entire day—

a $20 infused lemonade.

At first I looked at the price.

Then I drank it.

Then I understood.

Cold.

Loaded with fruit.

Pineapple.

Orange.

Lemon.

Infused.

Hydrating.

Refreshing.

Honestly by the end of the day that lemonade felt less like a beverage and more like roadside assistance.

So shoutout to Concrete Hustle Tony Toothpicks for keeping people hydrated and elevated at the same time.

JOHNNY APPLEKUSH AND THE VIP WALKTHROUGH

Another highlight was Johnny Applekush showing love.

He came over, welcomed us, and took time to walk us around personally introducing us to vendors and pointing out booths that had some of the standout flower…

and some of the “special” stuff.

You know.

The jars people suddenly become very serious around.

That kind of hospitality matters.

Events become memorable because of people.

FROM STORM CLOUDS TO BLUE SKIES

And maybe the funniest part?

That gloomy rainy start completely disappeared.

Clouds broke.

Blue sky rolled in.

Sun came out.

By afternoon it turned into one of those days where everybody looked around confused like—

“Wait… wasn’t this weather supposed to be terrible?”

Turns out the Cannabis Cup survived.

And honestly?

Thrived.

FINAL HIT

The Catskill Cannabis Cup Spring Fling reminded me why these events matter.

It’s not just the flower.

It’s not just buying jars you absolutely did not budget for.

It’s the community.

It’s the stories.

It’s helping injured friends get there.

It’s meeting internet people in real life.

It’s discovering something so good you immediately regret not buying more.

And it’s remembering that even when the forecast says rain…

sometimes the best days still show up.

Also—

I filmed.

So if you want to actually SEE what the event looked like with your own eyes…

stay tuned because coverage is dropping soon on Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis).

Until next time—

I’m OG Strain.

Keep your jars sealed, your circles tight, and your parking attendants sympathetic.