STOP BLOWING OUT OTHER PEOPLE’S CANDLES: A MESSAGE TO THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY HATERS

If you’re spending more time attacking your competition than improving your own business, maybe it’s time to look in the mirror.

Let’s get something straight. I’m tired of seeing good businesses attacked simply because they’re doing something right.

I spend my time highlighting companies, products, and people in the cannabis community who deserve recognition. I promote businesses that support their communities, treat customers right, offer quality products, and put effort into building something worthwhile.

But apparently, some people have a hard time understanding that promoting a company doesn’t make me affiliated with it, and it certainly doesn’t make me part of your personal beef with them.

I’m a reviewer. I’m here to cover the industry, not referee your rivalries. If I give a business positive coverage and you suddenly have a problem with me, perhaps you should ask yourself why you’re directing your frustration at the wrong person.

Now, let’s talk about the real issue.

MAYBE YOUR COMPETITION ISN’T THE PROBLEM

If another company is growing, attracting customers, and building a solid reputation, have you considered looking at what they’re doing right instead of trying to tear them down?

Maybe they’re offering fair prices. Maybe their products deliver what customers expect. Maybe they understand that treating people well is how you earn loyalty.

Maybe they’re giving out legitimate product samples, supporting food drives, raising money for charitable causes, and giving back to the community that supports them.

Meanwhile, if you’re charging significantly more for products that don’t live up to their claims, failing to build customer trust, and wondering why people are taking their business elsewhere, you might have found your answer.

Customers aren’t obligated to support your business just because you want them to. They have choices, and they’re going to spend their money where they feel appreciated and believe they’re getting value.

Customer loyalty is earned, not demanded.

And if your competitor is earning that loyalty by doing things better, that’s not a reason to attack them. It’s a reason to evaluate your own business.

COMPETITION SHOULD MAKE YOU BETTER, NOT BITTER

There’s nothing wrong with healthy competition. It pushes businesses to improve their products, reconsider their pricing, provide better service, and find new ways to connect with customers.

But there’s a difference between competing and trying to sabotage somebody else’s success.

If you believe another business is doing something unethical, bring forward credible evidence and address the issue professionally. Legitimate accountability matters. But attacking competitors out of jealousy, spreading unsupported accusations, or targeting people who recognize their accomplishments isn’t a business strategy. It’s a distraction from the work you should be doing yourself.

And let’s be honest: customers notice how businesses behave. A company that spends its time criticizing competitors can end up damaging its own reputation far more effectively than its competitors ever could.

Instead of asking, “How do I bring them down?” ask yourself, “What can I do to give customers a reason to choose me?”

That question might actually get you somewhere.

AND LEAVE ME OUT OF YOUR DRAMA

Let me make this personal for a moment.

When I recognize a company for doing something positive, I’m not declaring war on its competitors. I’m not automatically endorsing everything that company does, and I’m certainly not volunteering to become part of its business disputes.

I’m OG Strain. I review, I cover the industry, and I give credit where I believe it’s deserved.

If you’ve got a legitimate problem with another business, handle it with that business. Don’t drag me into your drama because you don’t like the attention somebody else is receiving.

I refuse to stop recognizing good people and good businesses simply because someone else might get jealous or offended.

BUILD YOUR OWN LEGACY

The cannabis community has enough challenges without businesses creating unnecessary divisions among themselves.

We need companies that stand behind their products, treat customers fairly, support their communities, and compete with integrity. We need business owners willing to learn from success rather than resent it.

So here’s my advice to the haters: If your prices aren’t competitive, reevaluate them. If your products aren’t meeting expectations, improve them. If your customers aren’t coming back, figure out why.

Stop blaming the business that’s doing it right while ignoring what you’re doing wrong.

You don’t build a successful company by blowing out somebody else’s candle. You build it by giving people a reason to appreciate the light coming from yours.

And if the only way you think you can succeed is by trying to tear down everyone around you, perhaps the problem isn’t your competition after all.

Maybe it’s time to fix your own business.

And while you’re at it, leave me out of your beef.

— OG Strain
The Plug’s Pages Magazine