LA weed company boosts brand by giving out logo-emblazoned tents to Skid Row homeless

A Los Angeles cannabis company drew backlash after it distributed hundreds of tents with its logo to homeless individuals on Skid Row as part of a marketing campaign. The company described the effort as a “win-win,” saying it provided shelter to the homeless while increasing its brand awareness.

Terp Science Labs, a company that manufactures terpenes and CBD products, handed out more than 500 branded tents in the area. A store manager for the company told the California Post there was no “malicious intent,” saying, “We did it for our marketing, but also trying to help out as well.”

“We’re always trying best to help our community out, and especially around this time because it’s so hot,” the manager added. “The tents were a good idea and everyone’s been so appreciative.”

The move, however, drew backlash and reignited criticisms of the state of California’s inability to address the homelessness crisis. Despite billions being spent on homeless programs, the latest Los Angeles report is expected to find the hmeles spopualtion great by about 3.4 percent in 2026.

Content creator Harrison Baum, who discovered the tents this week, told the Post he counted at least five.

“This is definitely one of the craziest things that I’ve seen,” he said. “I think it’s more of a symptom of the failure of our administration to actually take care of this.”

The company’s managing partner, Michelle Borrow, acknowledged concerns about it being a marketing stunt and said it was intended to help the community. The company is planning to hand out hundreds more later this year.

“If it was totally marketing, there’s definitely easier, more economical ways we could direct market to our consumer,” Borrow said.