Every publication reaches a point where it stops feeling like a business and starts feeling like a movement.

For me, that moment came when I looked around and realized I wasn’t simply building another cannabis magazine—I was surrounded by a team of people who genuinely believe in this industry, respect its culture, and work tirelessly to elevate it.

As CEO of The Plug’s Pages Magazine, I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve accomplished together.

To think that we’ve grown into one of the most widely circulated cannabis publications in the country—and now find ourselves competing neck-and-neck with our former employer—is something I never take for granted. Being second only to High Times in national circulation is an incredible achievement, but rankings alone don’t define success.

Our readers do.

Every article you read, every issue you share, every business you discover through our pages, and every conversation that begins because of something we publish has helped shape what The Plug’s Pages Magazine has become. None of this happens without the people who continue believing in what we’re building.

For that, I am sincerely grateful.

But no publication succeeds because of one person.

It succeeds because of its people.

I’ve known Seymour Buds for many years. We’ve weathered challenges together, celebrated victories together, and shared a vision for what cannabis journalism could become long before this magazine existed. Seymour has remained exactly the kind of person every publication hopes to have—a dependable voice, an experienced writer, and someone who genuinely cares about both the industry and the community surrounding it.

He’s been with me through thick and thin, and our magazine is stronger because of him.

Then came someone who, quite honestly, surprised all of us.

OG Strain.

Sometimes people arrive with a résumé.

Sometimes they arrive with passion.

And every once in a while, someone arrives with both.

From the moment OG Strain joined The Plug’s Pages Magazine, it became clear that we weren’t simply adding another contributor—we were adding someone whose creativity seemed to have no ceiling.

Writing comes naturally to him.

His understanding of cannabis comes naturally.

Connecting with people comes naturally.

Those qualities cannot be taught.

They have to be lived.

That authenticity is exactly what makes his work resonate with readers.

There are plenty of people who write about cannabis.

Far fewer actually live the culture every single day.

OG Strain does.

His passion extends well beyond the pages of this magazine.

Many readers know him as the creator and host of Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis) on YouTube, where he reviews cannabis strains, growers, products, dispensaries, distributors, and cannabis events throughout the Northeast. But the channel has grown into much more than reviews. It has become a destination for cannabis entertainment, educational content, community spotlights, interviews, humorous skits, and creative series like Mr. Water Bong & Ms. Dab Rig—all created with the same goal of celebrating the cannabis community while making people smile.

His creativity doesn’t stop there.

Using music-generation technology, he has written promotional rap songs and original anthems for numerous cannabis companies throughout the Northeast, helping brands develop a unique identity while connecting with customers in an entirely new way.

Companies including Gilly’s Greens, No Mountain Higher, Buddah Brothers, Higher Beings Powered by Hudson Valley Green, Adekrondack, The Gas Station, Key (Keeping Edibles Yummy), Blissful Confections, Ashley Kryptonite, Smokers Section, and many others have all been the subjects of his creative promotional work.

That level of dedication is rare.

What impresses me even more is that none of it comes from obligation.

It comes from genuine enthusiasm.

He loves seeing cannabis businesses succeed.

He enjoys shining a spotlight on people who often don’t receive one.

He understands that behind every brand is a family, an entrepreneur, a grower, or a dream worth sharing.

That’s what separates promotion from storytelling.

And that’s what separates content creators from community builders.

Perhaps what impresses me most is his work ethic.

There was a point where OG Strain was producing articles for The Plug’s Pages Magazine nearly every single day.

Without that level of commitment, we’d likely publish only a fraction of the stories we’re able to share.

He has become our most active contributor, and through his dedication, our readers have been introduced to more businesses, more events, more growers, more products, and more members of the cannabis community than ever before.

Simply put, he has helped expand both our reach and our vision.

When Seymour, OG Strain, and I work together, each of us brings something different to the table.

Seymour brings experience.

OG Strain brings relentless creativity and energy.

I bring years of publishing, journalism, and leadership.

Together, we’ve built something that none of us could have created alone.

Every successful company needs a strong foundation.

Ours is built on trust, passion, and a shared belief that the cannabis community deserves honest, engaging, and professional coverage.

As we continue growing, we’re also expanding our mission.

We don’t simply want to report on the cannabis industry.

We want to help build it.

That means creating opportunities for cultivators, manufacturers, dispensaries, processors, event organizers, content creators, and entrepreneurs to tell their stories in meaningful ways.

Many businesses struggle to get noticed.

Others simply don’t know where to begin.

That’s where we come in.

Whether it’s through feature articles, interviews, event coverage, educational content, product spotlights, or innovative promotional opportunities, our goal is to help connect great companies with the people who are looking for exactly what they offer.

We’re creating something that goes beyond advertising.

We’re building relationships.

We’re building community.

And we’re building a platform where authentic voices matter.

The future of The Plug’s Pages Magazine has never looked brighter.

This is only the beginning.

If you’ve been following our journey, thank you for believing in us.

If you’re a cannabis business looking for a platform that genuinely wants to see you succeed, we’d love to help tell your story.

And if you’re one of the thousands of readers who continue supporting this publication issue after issue, know that every page we publish is written with you in mind.

I’m proud of this magazine.

I’m proud of where we’ve been.

I’m even more excited about where we’re headed.

Most of all, I’m proud of the people standing beside me.

Seymour Buds.

OG Strain.

And every reader who has helped turn The Plug’s Pages Magazine into one of the fastest-growing voices in cannabis media.

We’re not slowing down.

In many ways…

We’re just getting started.

Two weeks before the 2026 Summer High Festival, I pulled into the property in Williamstown, New York, to meet up with Woodz Treez and Sammy Woodz. The mission that day wasn’t the festival—it was to film an episode of Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis) featuring what we called The 518’s Most Elite Cold Cure Rosin Challenge. Over the course of nearly two hours, we sampled and reviewed roughly a dozen different cold cure rosins back-to-back.

By the time we wrapped up, I was somewhere between “professional cannabis journalist” and “trying to remember why I walked over here.”

It was a blast.

But standing there that day, looking across what felt like an endless empty field, I couldn’t fully picture what was about to happen.

Two weeks later…

I couldn’t believe I was standing on the very same property.

Thanks to VIP passes generously gifted to me by Justin from The Basement Chronicles, my friend Miss Kryptonite and I rolled into the festival ready for a great time. What we weren’t ready for was the incredible turnout waiting for us.

That empty field?

Gone.

In its place was what looked like an entire temporary cannabis village.

Vendor tents stretched in every direction. Campers lined the property for what felt like football fields. Cars filled the landscape. Everywhere you looked, people were smiling, laughing, sharing stories, making new friends, and simply enjoying life.

If someone had blindfolded me and dropped me into the middle of it, I would’ve guessed I had wandered into one of the biggest cannabis gatherings in the Northeast.

And honestly…

I may have.

Every Direction Led to Something Cool

One of my favorite things about the Summer High Festival was that every time you thought you’d seen everything, you’d discover something completely different.

Toward the back of the property was a rave tucked away in its own area.

The DJs were absolutely crushing it while about a half-dozen to a dozen people danced nonstop with smiles on their faces. Colorful flow artists spun mesmerizing wheels and props that painted incredible patterns through the air. I can only imagine what those looked like through the eyes of someone enjoying a mushroom trip…

Let’s just say they were probably watching the universe perform interpretive dance.

Around them were festival-goers dressed in colorful outfits, unique skirts, creative costumes, and all kinds of eye-catching festival attire. Even though it wasn’t a massive dance floor, the energy was contagious. Everyone there was genuinely having fun.

The amazing part?

This was after four straight days of festivities.

Yet everyone still looked like they had just arrived on Day One.

Music Never Stopped

A short walk through the woods led to the main stage.

Whether it was the middle of the afternoon or late into the evening, there was always someone performing.

Bands.

Solo artists.

Musicians.

Entertainers.

There wasn’t a dead moment on that stage.

Nearby, people gathered around campfires listening to music while conversations flowed as naturally as the smoke drifting through the trees.

Walking farther along the wooded trails revealed another surprise.

Live artwork.

One incredibly talented woman stood surrounded by nature, painting a beautiful canvas while festival-goers stopped to admire her work. It perfectly captured what this event felt like—a celebration of creativity just as much as cannabis.

Tattoos, Vendors & Infused Slurpees

Then there was the tattoo trailer.

Whoever that tattoo artist was deserves an honorary endurance award.

Seriously.

I lost count of how many people proudly stopped me to show off fresh ink they had gotten during the festival.

Judging by the number of tattoos I saw, that artist probably forgot what sleep even looked like.

Of course, no cannabis festival would be complete without incredible vendors.

The selection seemed endless.

Food vendors.

Drink vendors.

Glass.

Merchandise.

Cannabis products.

Accessories.

If you wanted it, someone probably had it.

One stop that definitely deserves recognition was Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green, who were handing out complimentary infused Slurpees.

On one of the hottest days of the summer, that frozen drink tasted absolutely incredible.

Refreshing.

Delicious.

Infused.

That’s basically the cannabis version of finding an extra nug at the bottom of your stash jar.

Other standout names included Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green, Woodz Treez & Sammy Woodz, Best Budz, and countless others that helped make this event feel like one giant family reunion for the cannabis community.

Bigger Than I Ever Expected

I’ve attended quite a few cannabis events over the years.

Until now, the largest one I’d experienced was The Damn Sam Cannabis Cup.

Not anymore.

This festival honestly felt even larger.

More vendors.

More campers.

More people.

More energy.

More everything.

What makes that even more impressive is that before the event, I had heard whispers that attendance might be disappointing.

Well…

Whoever started that rumor owes Justin and his team an apology.

Because they absolutely knocked it out of the park.

Community Done Right

What impressed me more than the attendance wasn’t the size of the crowd.

It was the attitude of the people.

Nearly every single person I encountered was friendly, welcoming, respectful, and genuinely happy to be there.

There was no drama.

No egos.

Just people who love cannabis, love music, appreciate art, and enjoy spending time with like-minded people.

That’s exactly what this community should be about.

Hats Off to Justin & The Basement Chronicles

Events like this don’t happen by accident.

They happen because someone is willing to spend countless hours planning, organizing, solving problems, and bringing people together.

Justin and everyone involved with The Basement Chronicles deserve tremendous credit.

They created far more than just another cannabis festival.

They created an experience.

One that people will be talking about long after the tents come down.

On behalf of myself, OG Strain, and everyone at Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis), congratulations on an incredible event.

The cannabis community should be proud of what you and your team accomplished.

And before I wrap this up…

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

If the Summer High Festival is any indication of your planning skills, I’m pretty sure your wedding reception is going to need its own parking crew.

Here’s wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together.

We’ll see everyone next year.

Bring sunscreen.

Bring good vibes.

And maybe bring an extra lawn chair…

…because something tells me this festival is only getting bigger.

The Summer High Festival:
https://youtu.be/klCOQnhPf_s?is=5QTr756ity9Z7rbC

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.