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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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