There’s judging a cannabis cup…
…and then there’s surviving one.

Back in the fall rolling into early this year, I had the honor (and at times, the emotional endurance test) of serving as a judge at the Empire State Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam, New York, hosted by Robert Tambasco. Roughly 30 of us took on the responsibility of evaluating the best flower growers had to offer across New York State.

I judged both indoor and outdoor categories.

Let me tell you right now—those were two very different experiences.

⸻

Indoor vs. Outdoor: A Tale of Two Realities

The indoor competition?
Smooth. Enjoyable. Competitive in the way you want it to be. Quality across the board. Judges smiling, nodding, probably texting their friends like, “Yeah, I’m working real hard right now 😎.”

The outdoor competition?
Let’s just say… it built character.

Out of 37 outdoor entries, a solid 75% were, and I’m choosing my words carefully here… rough. We’re talking leafy, under-trimmed, harsh-smoking, “did this plant offend you personally?” type flower. Some entries felt like first grows—and honestly, they probably were.

And look, this isn’t me being disrespectful. Everybody starts somewhere. But when you’re judging a cannabis cup, you expect a certain level of polish. Instead, a lot of us judges were out here fighting for our lungs like it was a championship bout.

⸻

The Bright Spots (Yes, There Were Some)

Now before you think it was all doom and despair—there were standouts.

The clear and rightful winner?
Banana Melt by Curtis Kling. No debate. No controversy. That strain earned its crown, and I had it locked in at #1 on my personal scorecard too. Respect where it’s due.

Other memorable entries included:
    •    GG1
    •    Permanent Marker
    •    Purple Ghost Candy

All solid. All respectable. All shining brighter when surrounded by… well… the rest of the lineup.

But one strain stood out to me in a way that stuck long after the judging ended.

⸻

The One That Got Away: Blueberry Muffin

Let’s talk about Blueberry Muffin from 4 Acres Farms, grown by Joshua.

This strain wasn’t just good—it was memorable. And in a category where a lot of entries were forgettable for the wrong reasons, that matters.

On my personal scorecard?

👉 #2.

Not #10.
Not “somewhere in the middle.”
Number. Two.

So What Happened?

Official results came in…

Blueberry Muffin placed #11.

Yeah. Eleven.

And that didn’t sit right with me then—and it definitely doesn’t sit right with me now.

⸻

Let’s Break It Down (Because I Actually Took Notes)

This wasn’t a sympathy pick. I didn’t just throw it a high score because it didn’t hurt me to smoke it.

I ran every strain through the same process. No shortcuts. No “eh, close enough.” If it crossed my table, it got evaluated properly.

And Blueberry Muffin delivered:
    •    Aroma: Sweet, fruity, unmistakable blueberry notes
    •    Flavor: Smooth, flavorful, dessert-like inhale that actually translated from the nose
    •    Appearance: Frosty, trichome-rich, visually appealing
    •    Effects: Immediate. Potent. Two hits in and it was, “Woohoo—yeah, I’m home.”

We’re talking:
    •    Uplifting
    •    Mood-boosting
    •    Relaxing
    •    Pain-relieving

This wasn’t mid-tier. This wasn’t average.

This was top-three caliber flower.

⸻

My Theory (And Yeah, I’m Saying It Out Loud)

Here’s what I believe happened:

There were so many rough entries in the outdoor category that some judges—whether they realize it or not—started rushing. Skimming. Mentally checking out just to get through the pile.

And in doing that?

They overlooked a gem.

Because when you go from smoking something that feels like it was trimmed with a lawnmower… to something actually dialed in… your perception can get warped if you’re not staying sharp.

I stayed sharp.

And that’s why I stand on this:

👉 4 Acres Farms deserved second place.
👉 Blueberry Muffin should have placed.

⸻

To Be Clear…

Placing #11 out of 37 is not a failure. That’s above average. That’s respectable.

But this isn’t about “respectable.”

This is about what was deserved.

And in my professional opinion as a judge who actually gave every entry a fair run—

This strain got overlooked.

⸻

So I Took It a Step Further

I didn’t just sit on this take.

I made a full video review of the Blueberry Muffin from 4 Acres Farms—breaking it down, showing the flower, and backing up everything I’m saying right here with real evidence.

Because talk is cheap.

Proof isn’t.

⸻

Now I’m Putting It On You

I want you to decide.

👇 Watch the video below.
👇 Look at the photos.
👇 Hear the breakdown.

Then head to YouTube and leave a comment:
    •    Do you agree with me that Blueberry Muffin should’ve taken second place?
OR
    •    Do you side with the official results placing it at #11?

⸻

Final Hit

Cups come and go. Winners get trophies.

But sometimes?

The real story is about the one that should’ve been standing next to them.

And this time…

That story smells a whole lot like blueberries.

OG Strain tests three “perfectly balanced” hybrids—and finds out which ones actually earn the title

By OG Strain | Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis)

⸻

There’s a very specific moment every real smoker knows.

You’re not trying to get blasted into orbit.
You’re not trying to fall asleep mid-sentence either.

You just want to feel right.

Not heavy. Not jittery. Not stuck. Not scattered.
Just… locked into that clean pocket where your body loosens up and your mind stops acting like it’s got 47 tabs open.

That pocket?
That’s where balanced hybrids are supposed to live.

Supposed to.

Because a lot of strains claim “50/50” the same way fast food menus claim “fresh.” Technically it’s allowed to be said… but you already know there’s a story behind it.

So instead of guessing in a dispensary like you’re picking lottery numbers, I ran three so-called balanced hybrids through real testing—the only way that matters.

And none of this happens without Higher Beings powered by Hudson Valley Green, who continue to fuel the reviews, the channel, and the entire movement by putting real product in my hands. That support doesn’t go unnoticed—and more importantly, it doesn’t go to waste.

This time, we’re talking:
    •    Blueberry Gumbo
    •    Dog Treats
    •    Frosted Churros

Three strains. Same promise. Completely different personalities.

⸻

BLUEBERRY GUMBO — BUILT LIKE A SECRET

Some strains show off immediately.

This one doesn’t.

Blueberry Gumbo looks like it’s minding its business. Nothing loud. Nothing screaming “pick me.” If it were sitting on a shelf next to something flashy, most people would walk right past it without a second thought.

That would be a very expensive mistake.

Because behind that quiet appearance is 32% THC and zero patience.

You don’t ease into this strain—it arrives fully introduced.

Two hits in and your shoulders drop like somebody just unplugged tension from your back. The mental noise cuts out quick. Not gradually. Not politely. Just gone.

Flavor lands fruity on the front with that kush backbone holding it steady—nothing artificial, nothing overdone. Just clean and direct.

What makes it interesting is the timing.

The uplift shows up first. You feel it in your head before your body even gets the memo. Then, without any sharp turn, it settles into a controlled unwind—no crash, no drag, just a smooth shift into calm.

Pain relief? Strong.
Mood reset? Immediate.

And this is exactly why judging weed off looks will keep you missing out. This strain doesn’t care about winning beauty contests. It’s too busy doing its job.

DOG TREATS — QUIETLY DIALED IN

Dog Treats sounds like a joke name until you smoke it.

Then it gets serious.

This one sits almost perfectly centered at 48% Indica / 52% Sativa, and it actually behaves like it understands the assignment.

First thing that stands out is the smell—earthy in a real way. Not that artificial “we tried to make it smell natural” type. More like stepping outside after it rains and everything just feels reset.

Break it down and a light sweetness slips in underneath, but it doesn’t overpower anything. It stays in its lane.

Visually, it’s covered. Trichomes everywhere. No shortage there.

But here’s the part people don’t like to admit:

Some of the best-looking weed ends up being average.
Some of the most average-looking weed ends up being unforgettable.

Dog Treats sits right in that conversation. Because once you light it, appearance stops mattering.

The smoke is smooth—no bite, no harsh edge, nothing fighting you on the inhale.

Then the effects come in steady.

Not rushed. Not delayed. Just right on time.

You feel it in your head and your body at the same time:
    •    relaxed without being slowed down
    •    uplifted without being sped up

It’s the kind of high where you’re comfortable doing nothing… but also perfectly capable of doing something if you feel like it.

That balance is hard to hit. This one hits it.

And yeah—I’ve always leaned Sativa.

But strains like this are exactly why balanced hybrids stay in rotation.

They’re not for one moment of the day.
They’re for that moment of the day.

⸻

FROSTED CHURROS — ZERO CONFUSION

Then there’s Frosted Churros.

No mystery in how this one presents itself.

It looks like it knows it’s getting picked.

Colorful, loud, and fully coated—every part of it looks intentional. This isn’t accidental quality. This is dialed-in flower.

Nobody seems to agree on the genetics, which usually turns into a guessing game online.

Doesn’t matter.

The results speak clearly enough.

Flavor comes in funky with a fruit edge—there’s a blueberry note in there, but it’s not sweet in a basic way. It’s layered, a little weird in a good way, and it sticks around.

The surprise is in the effects.

Everything you’ll read says “relaxing.”

Which is true… but incomplete.

Because this didn’t sit me down—it got me moving.

Not in a jittery, over-caffeinated way. In a focused, clear-headed way where tasks don’t feel like tasks anymore. You just start doing things and realize later you actually finished them.

That’s a different kind of high.

Calm, but active.
Relaxed, but engaged.

That’s real balance.

⸻

WHY THIS VIDEO MATTERS

Anybody can walk into a dispensary and pick something at random.

That’s easy.

Getting something that actually matches what you want to feel? That’s where most people miss.

That’s why these reviews exist.

The full breakdown—real reactions, real timing, real effects—is up now on
Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis).

If you’ve ever stood in front of a menu second-guessing everything, this video fixes that.

Watch it.
Subscribe.
Hit the bell.
Drop a comment.

Not because it “helps the algorithm”—but because it helps the right information reach the people who actually care about what they’re smoking.

⸻

FINAL WORD

Balanced hybrids don’t announce themselves.

They don’t hit you all at once or disappear halfway through.

When they’re done right, you don’t think about them at all.

You just notice everything feels… easier.

And when you find ones like these?

You stop guessing—and start choosing.

By OG Strain — The Plug’s Pages Magazine

I told y’all I was coming back with the March Madness strain lineup, and unlike your favorite plug who says “I’ll be there in 10 minutes” and shows up during the next presidential election… I KEEP MY WORD.

March was different. I went full scientist mode—lab coat mentally on, grinder always loaded. I sampled 40+ strains across the 518, chasing greatness like it owed me money. Most were good… some were mid… and a few?
A few made me question reality, my tolerance, and whether I even needed to finish the blunt (I did… don’t be ridiculous).

These are the strains that stood out, slapped hardest, and earned their spot in OG Strain’s March Madness lineup. Let’s get into it.

⸻

HIGHER BEINGS x HUDSON VALLEY GREEN — PUTTING ON FOR THE REGION 🚀

MAC (Miracle Alien Cookies)

Hybrid (Balanced) | THC: ~20–27%

Let’s start with a classic done right. MAC is one of those strains that walks into the room like it already knows it’s the best dressed. The buds? Dense, frosty, with that signature mix of light green and purple hues—basically cannabis jewelry.

The aroma hits first—creamy citrus with a diesel backbone, like someone baked an orange creamsicle inside a gas station (in a good way). Flavor follows suit: smooth, slightly sweet, with that earthy funk that lets you know this ain’t no rookie pack.

Effects? Perfectly balanced hybrid energy. You get a euphoric head high that sharpens your mood while your body stays relaxed but not glued to the couch. Terpenes like limonene, caryophyllene, and myrcene are doing a full symphony here.
👉 Translation: You can function… but you might forget what you were doing halfway through doing it.

⸻

FROSTED CHURROS

Hybrid (Indica-Leaning) | THC: ~22–28%

This one right here? Dessert smokers, stand up.

Frosted Churros looks like it got rolled in powdered sugar by a professional pastry chef. Trichomes are dumb thick. You break it down and your fingers feel like they just shook hands with a snowstorm.

The smell is straight-up sweet dough, cinnamon spice, and creamy vanilla, like walking into a bakery high… except now you’re about to get higher. The taste follows heavy—sweet, slightly gassy, with that churro dough finish that lingers like a good decision.

Effects lean indica-heavy, bringing on a warm body melt with a happy, giggly mental vibe. Not couch-lock immediately—but don’t plan anything important after.
Dominant terpenes: caryophyllene, linalool, limonene.
👉 This is the strain that makes snacks disappear mysteriously.

⸻

DELTA DIAMONDS

Hybrid (Slight Sativa Lean) | THC: ~24–30%

Delta Diamonds sounds expensive—and it smokes like it too.

Visually? Loud. Bright greens, crystal-coated buds that sparkle like they’re trying to get signed to a record deal. You crack it open and get hit with a sharp citrus-diesel punch, followed by a subtle sweetness underneath.

Flavor is zesty, gassy, and clean, with a smooth inhale and a “hold up… this is fire” exhale. Effects come on fast—uplifting, cerebral, energetic, but not jittery. It’s that “I might clean the whole house or start a business” type of high.

Terpenes like limonene, terpinolene, and pinene drive the experience.
👉 This is daytime pressure. Functional… but dangerously enjoyable.

⸻

BUDDAH BROTHERS — STRAIGHT HEAT ALL MONTH 🔥

HALLE BERRY

Hybrid (Balanced) | THC: ~20–25%

Yeah… the name already got your attention. And just like the actress—this one ages well and still looks amazing.

Buds are colorful with deep greens and purple hints, wrapped in a frosty coat. The smell is a mix of sweet berries and light floral notes, almost delicate… until you light it.

Flavor? Smooth berry sweetness with a subtle earthy finish. Effects hit with a balanced vibe—uplifting mentally, calming physically. Great for social sessions or just vibing out.

Common terpenes: myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene.
👉 This is the “I feel good for no reason” strain.

⸻

BLUE LOBSTER

Hybrid (Indica-Leaning) | THC: ~23–29%

Now THIS one… this one had me talking.

Blue Lobster is visually insane—deep purples, blues, and greens, like the ocean decided to grow weed. The nose is loud: sweet berries mixed with funky gas and a little seafood-esque funk (don’t panic—it works).

Flavor is sweet, creamy, and slightly savory, which sounds crazy—but trust me, it hits. Effects are heavy—relaxing, euphoric, and slightly sedating.

Terpenes: myrcene, caryophyllene, limonene.
👉 Smoke this and suddenly your couch feels like a luxury mattress.

⸻

GMO (Garlic, Mushroom, Onion)

Indica-Dominant | THC: ~25–32%

If you know, you KNOW.

GMO is not here to smell pretty—it’s here to dominate your senses. The aroma is straight-up garlic, diesel, and funky earth, like a five-star kitchen collided with a gas pump.

Taste follows that same bold profile—savory, gassy, and rich. Effects? Heavy. Full-body sedation, mental calm, and that slow-motion feeling.

Terpenes: caryophyllene, myrcene, limonene.
👉 This is nighttime smoke. Plans? Cancel them.

⸻

THE GAS STATION (JMO) — PREMIUM SMOKE, PREMIUM PRICE 💸

EXPENSIVE HAZE

Sativa-Dominant | THC: ~22–26%

Let’s address it—$50 an eighth. Would I cop it again at that price? Nah.
Was it fire? Absolutely.

This strain is a classic haze done at a high level. Buds are fluffy, sticky, with that classic haze structure. Aroma is spicy, citrusy, and slightly herbal—very old-school meets new-school.

Flavor is smooth and bright with citrus and spice, and the effects?
Next-level head high. Energetic, creative, borderline “I got ideas I shouldn’t be acting on right now.”

Terpenes: terpinolene, limonene, pinene.
👉 Expensive? Yes. Memorable? Also yes.

⸻

4 ACRES FARMS — OUTDOOR DONE RIGHT 🌱☀️

BLUEBERRY MUFFIN (Outdoor)

Indica-Leaning Hybrid | THC: ~18–24%

Outdoor gets slept on… but not this one.

This Blueberry Muffin was fresh, sticky, and perfectly cured, proving storage matters just as much as grow. The smell is ridiculous—fresh blueberries and baked goods, like your grandma just started trapping.

Flavor? Even better—sweet berry with a creamy finish. Effects are smooth—relaxing, calming, but still functional.

Terpenes: myrcene, pinene, caryophyllene.
👉 This is comfort smoke. Like a hoodie for your brain.

⸻

THE MYSTERY MULLET MAN — LOWKEY LEGEND STATUS 🧢🔥

SUPER BOOF

Hybrid (Slight Indica Lean) | THC: ~23–28%

I don’t even know the brand name—but if you’ve been to the pop-ups, you know EXACTLY who I’m talking about. The mullet don’t miss.

Super Boof is bright, colorful, and loud, with a sweet citrus and funky gas aroma that punches through the bag instantly. Flavor is bold—fruity upfront with a gassy finish.

Effects? Happy, uplifting, and relaxing without being heavy. And best part? It’s not overpriced, which in this market feels illegal.

Terpenes: limonene, caryophyllene, myrcene.
👉 Hidden gem energy. Don’t sleep.

⸻

FINAL THOUGHTS — OG STRAIN’S STAMP OF APPROVAL ✅

March was a movie. From Higher Beings bringing consistency, to Boodah Brothers dropping straight pressure, to hidden gems at pop-ups, the 518 is ACTIVE right now.

Some strains were overpriced. Some were underrated. But these?
These earned their spot.

If you see any of these in rotation…
Don’t ask questions. Don’t hesitate. Just cop.

Because trust me—
OG Strain already did the hard part for you. 😤💨