Personally what I like most about FC is the unique sense of community. I feel all the wonderful points listed above by
@Krazy and
@pxl_jockey really coalesce into forming a unique atmosphere that's hard to find elsewhere on the internet. But I'm not much of a forum person I confess; only really frequent 3 and reddit.
On FC it feels like the moment a new member comments we have a new friend/neighbor to share with.. We already know a little about each other just by being here and it creates a wonderful feeling of already "breaking the ice".
It's kind of like showing up to a concert or museum and meeting someone! That person wouldn't be there if they didn't share some of your interests. Finding common ground is already half way down the path to being friends in my books; so that atmosphere makes it really easy to feel welcome and want to share. I've had several times where members messaged to check up on me after not posting for a while, or to compliment a post.. I dunno about you guys but that doesn't happen to me anywhere but FC.
I like that the forum doesn't have a dislike button, but it does have an ignore.. That means even if you said something that didn't contribute in the way you hoped, you don't have to feel the shame of -1000 points and angry messages. It's really easy to just block someone, unbeknownst to them, and take a few days to forget why you were grumpy. I feel these features go a long way to making an inclusive, non-confrontational place, that still allows disagreement and discussion.
It can sometimes be tricky to debate without antagonizing people, intentionally or by accident.. But FC makes the tools available to you to do your best to follow the cardinal rule of "Be nice. Let’s have some engaging and intelligent discussion.". Which I really feel permeates the entire forum.
The other thing I really love about FC is the way it enables creative people to start selling/developing their ideas.
I've discovered so many amazing people here making unique, hand crafted things that just aren't available anywhere else. FC is one of the best platforms I've found for these people to share their idea, recieve feedback/testing from experienced enthusiasts, then begin a business based on the communities desires.
They can do a sort of soft launch; gradually improving their design and forming a production line for their unique product, all based on customer feedback. It's basically what I always wanted Kickstarter to be without all the BS! It brings me a lot of joy to see some of the businesses/creators I supported here having products pop up on shelves across the world.. Good people who care, making good products; what more can you ask for as a consumer?!
And finally I still have lots of friends I see fairly regularly.. But not all of them share my passion for cannabis. Most of them do not actually. It can be tiresome at times feeling like there's a part of your life you CAN'T talk about without making someone feel uncomfortable.
I might not be into sports, but I'll listen to my friends talk about their teams/games. But that same friend has no interest in my sick new VapCap stem..hand made across the world.. that there's only a few of in existence, with a cap I had custom laser engraved... and it works off fire, but I don't have to use that like a savage because i have this induction thing!... "WHY AREN'T YOU INTERESTED TOM! LOOK AT THIS! THIS IS SO COOL!"
.. Some people just don't care.
But here on FC, I'll always find someone interested in my cannabis journey. It feels really nice knowing there's a place I can go to share my stories and thoughts on something that brings me so much personal joy.. and when I do someone who cares just as much as I do about the topic (or more!) will be the one reading it.
By the way if anyone knows of other forums half this active and nice, please++ give your good places on the internet
A little different but if you're into board/table top games..
boardgamegeek.com is an awesome place to go and share your experiences. It shares a lot of the things I love about FC; active inclusive community from across the world with a wide knowledge base.. But with a far superior market! (makes sense when you consider the goods)
I've found soo many good deals on out of print gems and the like. The community is passionate, welcoming, and the people who design board games are very active on the site. But if you're not into board games and the like then it might not be of much interest to you.
... my obsession of cannabis and cannabis paraphernalia does not make me feel like an outsider... better yet it makes me feel more "normal"... 
FC!
