who are the backpack boyz

According to reputable sources, Backpack Boyz was founded in 2017 by Juan Quesada. Quesada started under California’s Prop 215 (medical cannabis delivery) and the brand grew from grassroots delivery operations in the Bay Area, where he reportedly carried premium cannabis packaged in literal backpacks — hence the name “Backpack Boyz”.

Their base is in the San Francisco Bay Area originally, but they later expanded their operations (in branding, distribution, and dispensary presence) into places such as Los Angeles, Michigan and other states.

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📦 What They Do

• Cannabis Brand: They market themselves as a supplier of “exotic” or “premium” cannabis strains (flower, pre‑rolls, vapes, disposables) with distinctive, high‑impact packaging and aesthetics.
• Lifestyle/Branding: Beyond just the cannabis plant, Backpack Boyz positions itself as a full lifestyle brand — with urban apparel, accessories, and collaborations with local artists, especially drawn from Bay Area art/culture.
• Geographic Spread: They list dispensary locations across major markets (California, Michigan, etc) and engage in licensing or partnership models in some instances.

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🎨 What Sets Them Apart (Brand Identity)

• Distinct visual branding: bold colors, graffiti‑style art, collectible‑style packaging, heavy “street‑culture meets premium” aesthetic.
• Focus on exotic genetics: They emphasise “rare/unique cultivars”, flavour‑forward strains (for example dessert‑style, fruit‑style profiles) rather than purely mass‑commodity product.
• Cross‑overs between cannabis culture and fashion/merch: the apparel side of the business (hoodies, tees, accessories) is presented as integral to the brand DNA.

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🔍 Important Caveats & Context

• While the brand claims licensing, growth and distribution across multiple states, there are consumer reports and forum discussions raising issues around product consistency, authenticity, and third‑party licensing/production. For instance: “Backpack Boyz is a brand, they just work contracts with growers and market weed well, they don’t grow their own weed.”
• Counterfeiting and grey market use of the name have been flagged in some user forums, which makes verifying legitimacy important (especially for vapes/disposables).
• Branding and hype are very strong — so sometimes the “story” or “look” outpaces consistent product quality (according to certain reviewers).

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✅ Summary

In short: Backpack Boyz is a real cannabis‑brand and lifestyle company, built around the ideas of premium “exotic” cannabis, bold branding, and urban‐street culture. They are not just a small local grower—they operate on a broader scale with licensing/dispensary presence and have positioned themselves as a full brand rather than purely cultivator.

However, being a brand that emphasises image and distribution means there’s variability: different markets, different growers, and possible differences in quality or authenticity depending on region. If you’re engaging with the brand (as a customer, retailer, or partner), it’s wise to verify the specific product batch, source, and testing rather than relying solely on the brand name.