Community

Empire State Cannabis Cup: An OG Strain Community Walkthrough

Published

3 months ago

February 1, 2026

OG Strain

Written by OG Strain
Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis)

⸻

The Empire State Cannabis Cup went exactly how I expected it to go — beautifully.

From the moment I walked into the building, every single face was friendly. Not “industry polite,” not fake smiles — genuinely friendly. The kind of crowd where you immediately feel like you’re in the right place. While everyone was welcoming, the first familiar face I personally recognized was John Gilboy, a local 518 craft grower who works in the same building and collaborates with the event organizer, Robert Tambasco.

And speaking of Robert — he was the second person we saw, and the man was in full host mode from the jump. Robert helped carry our chairs and guided us straight to the VIP smoking room, which also had a separate private room inside it with a door that fully closed. He told me we could use that space to do interviews and have privacy. He genuinely tried to make it work for me, and I appreciate that.

Now, full transparency — the interviews didn’t happen the way I planned. The music was loud (in a good way), the energy was moving fast, and a couple times when I went down to the interview room, the chairs had been borrowed and were being used elsewhere. No problem at all — that’s how live events go. I could’ve grabbed them back if I had someone ready to sit down, but the day just flowed differently. I ran into people who said, “Yeah, let’s do it later,” and later just never lined up. I stayed until about 6:30 PM, and by then vendors were packing up and the crowd was thinning, so I ended up bouncing.

And honestly? I still covered the event — just in a more organic, walk-through, community-first way. I’ll be putting together a video showing what I saw when I walked in, the vibe, the people, and the movement, and that’ll be up on my YouTube channel Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis).

Early on, I ran into Kevin from Higher Beings, powered by Hudson Valley Green. I don’t even need to say much about Kevin — solid, trustworthy, good people, and yeah, that’s my boy. He also hooked me up with some Higher Beings clothing, as always keeping me styled and repping right.

Upstairs, the first person I recognized immediately was Frank Falvo, who had a vendor table almost directly across from the main entrance to the third-floor general admission room. That third floor was packed — around 50 vendors, the main stage, the entertainment, the award ceremony — everything was happening up there.

Somewhere between upstairs and downstairs, I’m pretty sure I was dabbing with Jay Dee Hashisin. There were a lot of dabs that day, so if my timeline gets fuzzy, that’s why.

Then I ran into the big dog himself — Danni Burns, owner of Hudson Valley Green. And yes, Danni was there working, in the flesh, boots on the ground. He also gifted me an indica-leaning hybrid, which I’m definitely looking forward to using tonight to get some sleep after all that excitement.

I also linked up with Tok from Tokalotapot Seeds and CannaFaded — my partners, my people, and hands down my most adored cannabis couple. They gifted me some of their concentrated coffee, which I’ll be reviewing.

I ran into Kiley Thompson, owner of Lazy Day Farms, and Melissa Dopp from the community. I saw Mafia, Fetti, a rapper I’ve seen perform with my son in the past, along with his mother — who is officially one of the hippest moms in the cannabis community.

Another name I absolutely want to mention is Johnny Applekush, who came up and said hi. Those moments matter more than people realize — that recognition and mutual respect is what keeps this community real.

Big thanks as well to the blonde woman from Buddha Bros, who gifted me a goodie bag and a pre-roll. To be clear: I’m keeping the pre-roll, but I will be adding items from the goodie bag — including a keychain, bracelet, and other goodies — into my OG Strain Tical Bag Giveaway, which is already stacked but can always use more love.

And then there was one of the purest moments of the entire day.

A woman I had never met before — a complete stranger — noticed I had ketchup on my face and wiped it off with her thumb. Her name is Emily Harper, and I think she is a total sweetheart. I don’t know if she’s married or who she’s married to, but she’s definitely a keeper — whoever her husband is, he’s a lucky guy. That moment alone sums up the Empire State Cannabis Cup for me.

I also need to give major love to my ride and longtime friend of 25 years, Ted Zeglin from Schenectady, NY. Ted helped my disabled ass all day — driving me there and home, rolling my joints, and carrying around interview chairs that I never ended up using. Like me, Ted is Green and Sober, meaning we don’t drink or use drugs outside of cannabis. Having someone like that in your corner makes everything easier.

As for the music — it was still going strong when I left. The band killed it, and The Basement Chronicles — the rap brothers from Syracuse — put on another great show. This was the second time I’ve seen them, the first being when they opened for Afroman in Syracuse a year ago. They are truly an underrated duo and always deliver.

Unfortunately, my son Jake arrived too late to perform at this event. If he had made it half an hour earlier, he would’ve been on stage. He had a lot going on that day — including heading to Stage One Dispensary in Rensselaer, NY, which doesn’t just sell cannabis but hosts legit concerts and runs a podcast that’s blowing up, with guests like Styles P, Cassidy, and now Afroman, who Jake brought in to be featured.

Before I wrap this up, I want to put this out there clearly:

👉 Any grower who entered the Empire State Cannabis Cup — indoor or outdoor — can reach out to me.
• If you placed, officially or on my personal top 5, in either outdoor or indoor, you’re eligible for a free public review on Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis).
• If you entered but didn’t place, you’re still eligible for a private one-on-one review through Messenger. It won’t be on YouTube, but you’ll get honest feedback.
• If you already used up your entry flower, you can swap it with another strain you grew. This is meant to be a reward, not a punishment.

These were my personal OG Strain Top 5 picks:

Outdoor – OG Strain Picks

5️⃣ Purple Ghost Candy
4️⃣ Permanent Marker
3️⃣ GG1
2️⃣ Blueberry Muffin
1️⃣ Banana Melt

Indoor – OG Strain Picks

5️⃣ GMO
4️⃣ Event Horizon
3️⃣ Papaya Bang Bang
2️⃣ Platinum Sour
1️⃣ Crazy Runtz (OG Strain’s personal indoor winner — not the official Cup winner)

To everyone who came up and said hi — thank you. To everyone whose name I remembered and everyone whose name I didn’t — thank you. It was an honor to meet so many supporters, creators, growers, and genuinely good people.

That’s the Empire State Cannabis Cup through OG Strain’s eyes — and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything 🌿

Post Views: 9,264

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Community

Disconnected, But Not Out: A 4/20 Message From OG Strain

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

OG Strain

By OG Strain

If you’re reading this, you’re already ahead of the curve. Whether you found your way here through theplugspages.com, had the link sent to you, or came across it another way—you’re one of the few still tapped in right now. And that matters.

Because at the moment, I’m operating a little… off-grid.

As some of you may or may not know, I’ve been temporarily restricted from Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger since April 3rd. As of now, I’m still in the appeal process with no real update or change in status. Not exactly ideal timing—especially with 4/20 right around the corner.

Normally, this is where I’d tell you to reach out through the usual channels—but clearly, this year requires a different approach.

The truth is, social media isn’t just about content anymore—it’s how we stay connected. Conversations, plans, everyday check-ins… a lot of that lives in those apps. So when that access disappears, even temporarily, it creates a real gap in communication.

And if you’re someone I talked to regularly—daily or weekly—you’ve probably felt that just as much as I have.

I’ll say it simply: I miss that connection.

But we’re not here to dwell—we’ve got a holiday to talk about.

With 4/20 right around the corner, the question is simple:
What’s the move?

For those of you in the 518 and surrounding areas, consider this an open call. I’m still active, still outside, just a little harder to reach than usual. Whether it’s an event, a link-up, or just good company—I’m open.

Right now, the most direct way to reach me is through X (formerly known as Twitter). I’ll be including my profile link at the end of this article.

And this part matters, so read it carefully.

If you were someone I stayed in regular contact with—and you value that line of communication—then don’t leave it up to chance.

If you don’t already have my number, and you don’t currently have a way to reach me, then it’s on you to take that extra step. Create an account on X. Reach out. Even if it’s just a simple “what’s up.”

Not because there’s something urgent to say—but because keeping that line of communication open matters.

This isn’t about promoting another platform for the sake of it. It’s about maintaining real connections in a moment where the usual ones are temporarily unavailable.

The people who actually value staying in touch will make that small effort. And once that connection is there, it’s there.

At the end of the day, platforms change. Access comes and goes. But communication? That only exists if both sides are willing to keep it going.

So if you’ve been trying to reach me, or if you’ve noticed the silence—now you know where to find me.

And with 4/20 right here, there’s no better time to tap in.

Stay safe, stay elevated, and keep it real.

– OG Strain

⸻

You can currently reach OG Strain on X x.com/ogstraincontent.

Post Views: 5,861

Community

Censored, Not Silenced: Why the Canna Community Needs to Evolve Beyond Facebook

Published

2 weeks ago

April 7, 2026

OG Strain

By OG Strain

⸻

Hey Canna family—it’s OG Strain here.

Let me keep it real with you right from the jump… if you’re reading this, it’s because I can’t post it where most of you are used to seeing me: Facebook.

Yeah. Again.

At this point, getting restricted on Facebook as a cannabis content creator feels less like a violation and more like a weekly subscription service—except nobody signed up for it, and the customer service is about as responsive as a brick wall with Wi-Fi.

But this article isn’t just about me being locked out. This is bigger than that. This is about all of us—the entire cannabis community—and the position we keep putting ourselves in by relying on platforms that clearly don’t support us.

⸻

The Reality We Keep Ignoring

Let’s call it what it is.

Facebook does not support cannabis culture.
And it definitely doesn’t prioritize free expression when it comes to our community.

Between automated moderation systems flagging harmless content and bad actors reporting posts, creators like myself are constantly walking a tightrope. One wrong move—or one strategically offended person—and boom… you’re locked out of your own platform.

And here’s the wild part: sometimes it’s not even strangers.

Sometimes it’s people who follow you… engage with you… laugh with you… and then report you.

Yeah. That part.

⸻

When Support Turns Two-Faced

Recently, I found myself restricted because someone who had been actively engaging with my content suddenly decided to take offense—over a simple tag.

Not a callout.
Not disrespect.
A tag.

Instead of reaching out like a normal human being—“Hey man, can you remove that?”—they went straight to reporting. Not just the post… the account. The whole thing.

Now I’m dealing with the fallout.

And while I’m choosing not to name names (because I don’t operate at that level), the situation highlights something important:

There are people who will privately support cannabis culture—but publicly run from it.

And worse… some will protect their image at the expense of your livelihood.

That’s not community. That’s cowardice.

⸻

The Bigger Problem: Platform Dependence

Here’s where I need you to really lock in.

As long as we keep building everything on Facebook, we are putting our voices, our businesses, and our movement in the hands of a system that can shut us down at any moment.

That’s not strategy—that’s vulnerability.

Think about it like this:

If your entire grow was in one tent… and that tent had a habit of randomly catching fire…
Would you keep putting all your plants in there?

Exactly.

⸻

It’s Time to Diversify—And Migrate

This is why I’m urging all of you—creators, supporters, smokers, growers, enthusiasts—to start branching out.

I’ve recently stepped onto a new platform: X (formerly Twitter).

And from what I’ve seen and been told, it’s far more open to cannabis content and free expression.

Now listen—I’m not saying it’s perfect.

But what I am saying is this:

We need options.

We need spaces where we can speak, share, educate, and build—without constantly worrying about being silenced.

Because let’s be honest…

You can’t grow a movement if every post feels like you’re sneaking snacks into a movie theater.

⸻

OG Strain Isn’t Going Anywhere

Let me make one thing crystal clear:

I’m not stopping.

Not because of a report.
Not because of a restriction.
Not because of any platform.

I will continue:
    •    Writing for The Plugs Pages Magazine
    •    Creating content on my YouTube channel “Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis)”
    •    Expanding onto new platforms like X
    •    Advocating for this plant and this culture every single day

Facebook might slow me down…

…but it will never shut me up.

⸻

A Message to the Real Ones

If you truly support:
    •    Cannabis culture
    •    Free expression
    •    Independent creators

Then now is the time to act.

Follow me on other platforms.
Stay connected beyond Facebook.
Build accounts elsewhere before you need them.

Because trust me…

The way things are going, it’s not if Facebook comes for you…

…it’s when.

⸻

Final Hit (You Knew This Was Coming)

Look, I love this community.

But we gotta stop acting like Facebook is the plug… when they’ve been cutting our supply this whole time.

It’s like going back to the same dealer who keeps shorting your eighth and saying,
“Maybe this time he’ll respect me.”

Nah.

We deserve better platforms.
We deserve real support.
And we deserve to speak freely about a plant that’s changing lives every day.

⸻

Stand Together or Stay Stuck

Together, we stand. Divided, we fall.

So let’s stand smart.
Let’s stand prepared.
And most importantly…

Let’s stand somewhere they can’t keep muting us.

⸻

– OG Strain
Canna Advocate | Strain Reviewer | Voice of the Northeast

(Follow links and platform info below to stay connected beyond Facebook.)

https://twitter.com/ogstraincontent?s=11

https://youtube.com/@ogstraintheoriginalog?si=N0pJfCOcydE2d1l9

Post Views: 6,057

Community

The Cannabis Closet Is Still Open… and That’s the Problem

Published

2 weeks ago

April 3, 2026

OG Strain

By OG Strain

Let me ask you something…

How is it that we’re living in a time where cannabis is legal, dispensaries are everywhere, and even grandma is placing orders from a kiosk at the senior center…

…but people are STILL hiding the fact that they smoke?

No seriously.

We got legalization.
We got education.
We got research showing cannabis helps with pain, anxiety, sleep, and a laundry list of other issues.

We even got seniors out here like,
“Yeah, I’ll take an eighth of that Blue Dream and maybe a brownie for bingo night.”

But somehow…

We STILL got people in positions of power acting like if the public finds out they smoke weed, their whole career is gonna evaporate into thin air like a cheap pre-roll.

⸻

The Fake-Out Culture

Let’s talk about it.

Politicians.
Lawyers.
Judges.
Doctors.
School board members.

You’re telling me NONE of them smoke?

Come on.

That’s like saying nobody in the music industry parties.

We all know what’s really going on.

What’s wild is watching politicians try to expose each other like it’s some kind of scandal.

“Oh yeah? Well THAT candidate smokes marijuana!”

Meanwhile the person saying it probably just hit a vape pen in their car five minutes before the debate.

That’s not politics…

That’s high school with suits.

And honestly?

Who cares if they smoke?

If two candidates are exactly the same — same policies, same experience, same everything…

…but one of them smokes weed?

I’m picking the one who smokes.

Why?

Because they feel HUMAN.

They feel REAL.

They feel like someone who understands life beyond a script and a podium.

The one hiding it?

That’s the one I don’t trust.

Because if you’re willing to lie about something that small…

what else are you lying about?

⸻

The Real Problem Isn’t Cannabis… It’s the Stigma

Here’s the truth:

People aren’t afraid of cannabis.

They’re afraid of what OTHER PEOPLE think about cannabis.

That’s the issue.

We didn’t fully legalize weed…

We halfway legalized it socially.

Legally? You’re good.
Socially? Eh… depends who’s watching.

And that’s where the problem lives.

Because now you’ve got fully functional, successful adults…

hiding a plant like it’s a criminal secret.

That’s crazy.

No amount of money is worth being fake.

I’d rather be broke and real than rich and pretending I’m somebody I’m not.

And if you’re in a position where you feel like you HAVE to hide who you are?

That’s not success…

That’s a performance.

⸻

The Double Standard That Makes ZERO Sense

Now let’s really get into it…

Because this is where things go from ridiculous to straight-up unfair.

Explain this to me:

A truck driver…

can go home on the weekend…

drink a 30-pack of beer, finish off a bottle of liquor, wake up Monday morning…

go to work completely sober…

and nobody says a word.

Totally fine.

Completely acceptable.

Now take that SAME person…

Same job. Same responsibilities.

But instead of drinking…

they smoke a joint on Saturday.

Not even a lot — just enough to relax.

They go back to work Monday…

100% sober…

not impaired AT ALL…

…and they get hit with a drug test.

Now suddenly?

They’re fired.

Career over.

Life flipped upside down.

Same person. Same sobriety. Same performance.

Different substance.

Make that make sense.

I’ll wait.

⸻

“But How Do We Know If They Were High?”

That’s the argument, right?

“Well what if they were high on the job?”

Okay.

Fair question.

But here’s the problem:

Current testing doesn’t tell you that.

It tells you IF someone used cannabis…

not WHEN they used it.

So someone could’ve smoked three days ago…

and still test positive.

Meanwhile, someone could drink heavily the night before…

and pass with flying colors the next day.

So what are we really testing?

Impairment?

Or just past behavior?

Because those are NOT the same thing.

⸻

We Have the Technology… So Act Like It

We live in a world with AI.

We got smartphones more powerful than computers from 20 years ago.

We’ve launched satellites into space.

But we can’t figure out a way to measure real-time cannabis impairment?

That’s hard to believe.

The solution isn’t to punish innocent people just because we don’t have perfect testing yet.

The solution is to CREATE better testing.

Figure out how to measure:
    •    When someone last consumed
    •    Whether they’re actually impaired
    •    And if they’re safe to perform their job

Because right now?

We’re ruining people’s lives over outdated methods that don’t tell the full story.

And that’s not justice…

That’s laziness.

⸻

Let’s Call It What It Is

This isn’t about safety.

This isn’t about responsibility.

This is about stigma that hasn’t fully died yet.

And until it does…

people will keep hiding.

People will keep losing opportunities.