After sinking 50+ hours into Schedule 1, I've made every mistake a new drug kingpin can make—and learned exactly what separates failed operations from million-dollar empires. This guide covers the 10 essential tips that will save you hours of frustration and help you build a profitable business from day one.
Whether you're struggling to make your first $10,000 or wondering why your dealers keep getting caught, these beginner strategies work in the latest January 2026 patch.
Quick Answer
- Focus on weed first — lowest risk, steady profit, easiest to scale
- Unlock the mixing station early — mixes sell for 2-3x more than base product
- Hire dealers ASAP — they handle low-value customers while you focus on whales
- Always keep cash under $5,000 on you — police seizures hurt less
- Use the sewers at night — safest way to move product when heat is high
1. Start With Weed, Not Hard Drugs
New players often rush to unlock meth or cocaine thinking higher prices mean more profit. This is a trap. Weed has the best risk-to-reward ratio for beginners:
- Lower police attention per sale
- Customers pay reliably (fewer disputes)
- Seeds are cheap and grow fast
- Easier to stockpile large quantities
Build your weed empire to $50,000+ net worth before branching out. The skills you learn—customer management, heat avoidance, territory control—transfer to harder products.
2. Unlock the Mixing Station Immediately
The mixing station is the single biggest money multiplier in Schedule 1. Base products sell for modest prices, but mixed variants can fetch 2-3x the value with the right combinations.
Best early-game mixes:
- Spicy + Bright-Eyed weed: Higher addiction rate, customers come back faster
- Zombifying mushrooms: Premium price point with good demand
- Any "energizing" combo: Appeals to the business district customers
Prioritize unlocking this over expanding territory. The ROI is unmatched.
3. Hire Dealers to Handle Low-Value Customers
Your time is your most valuable resource. Don't waste it chasing $50 sales when dealers can do it for you. Assign dealers to handle customers who pay under $200 per transaction.
This frees you to:
- Focus on high-value "whale" customers
- Manage production and mixing
- Scout new territories
- Handle police interactions personally (dealers get caught more often)
Pro tip: Each dealer has different heat levels. Check their stats before assigning customers in hot areas.
4. Never Carry More Than $5,000 Cash
Police seizures take a percentage of cash on hand. Getting busted with $50,000 in your pocket is devastating. Bank your money frequently or stash it in safe houses.
The $5,000 threshold keeps losses manageable while giving you enough operating cash for emergencies, bribes, and restocking.
5. Use the Sewers for Night Operations
When your heat level is high, the sewers become your best friend. Police rarely patrol underground, and you can move between districts without surface exposure.
Learn the sewer map early. Key routes connect:
- Motel to Downtown
- Industrial district to Suburbs
- Your main stash to multiple exit points
6. Build Customer Relationships Before Scaling
Rushing to find new customers before satisfying existing ones is a common mistake. Happy customers:
- Pay more per transaction over time
- Refer friends (free customer acquisition)
- Buy in larger quantities
- Are less likely to snitch if caught
Maintain consistent supply and fair prices. A loyal customer base of 10-15 regulars can sustain a $200,000+ operation.
7. Upgrade Storage Before Production
The January 2026 patch added new storage cabinets for good reason—inventory management is crucial. Nothing hurts more than having to sell product at a loss because you're out of space.
Upgrade priority:
- Basic storage expansion (cheap, immediate benefit)
- Climate-controlled storage (prevents product degradation)
- Hidden compartments (reduces seizure risk in raids)
8. Time Your Sales Around Police Shifts
Police activity follows patterns. Early morning (5-7 AM) and late night (2-4 AM) have minimal patrols. Schedule big deals during these windows.
Avoid the 8-10 PM "crackdown hours" when police are most active. If you must operate during high-risk times, stick to indoor locations and use trusted customers only.
9. Master the Skateboard Movement Trick
This sounds silly, but it's a game-changer: jump continuously while skateboarding to build momentum and maintain top speed. You'll outrun police chases and cut travel time by 30-40%.
The skateboard is available early and costs almost nothing. Master the jump-momentum technique before upgrading to vehicles.
10. Complete the Graffiti Activities
New in the January 2026 patch, graffiti activities seem like side content but actually increase your territory reputation and customer discovery rate. Complete them when passing through new areas—the bonus customer spawns add up fast.
Pro Tips
- Save before big deals: The game autosaves, but manual saves before high-risk transactions prevent disaster
- Watch customer addiction levels: Highly addicted customers demand more frequent supply but pay premium prices
- Don't expand to new areas until you've maxed the current one: Spread too thin and you'll lose control
- Keep one "clean" outfit: Some areas have dress codes that affect police attention
- Learn NPC schedules: Regular customers have predictable routines—intercept them for faster deals
FAQ
Q: What's the fastest way to make money early game?
A: Focus on weed, unlock mixing, and create Spicy + Bright-Eyed combinations. Sell to the business district during lunch hours for 20% price premiums.
Q: How do I reduce police heat quickly?
A: Lay low for 2-3 in-game days, use the sewers exclusively, and consider bribing officers if your cash reserves allow it.
Q: Should I play solo or co-op?
A: Solo for learning the mechanics, co-op for scaling. Partners can handle separate territories and share heat across multiple players.
Q: When should I move from the motel to a better base?
A: Once you hit $75,000 net worth. The motel works fine early, but larger operations need the storage and security of upgraded properties.
Q: What's the best product for late game?
A: Crystal meth mixes with the "Energizing" and "Long-lasting" effects. Highest margins once you can handle the heat.
Summary
Schedule 1 rewards patience and smart scaling over aggressive expansion. Start with weed, unlock mixing early, hire dealers for grunt work, and always manage your heat. These fundamentals will carry you from a broke newcomer to a drug empire worth millions.
Master these basics first—the advanced strategies for meth and cocaine operations build on everything covered here.
