A Los Angeles-based company specializing in cannabis flavor additives, Terp Science Labs, is drawing criticism for a marketing campaign that involved distributing branded tents to individuals experiencing homelessness on Skid Row. The company stated it provided over 500 tents, characterizing the initiative as a "win-win situation" that offered shelter while serving as an advertising platform.
DJ, a store manager for Terp Science Labs, told The California Post that the giveaway was intended for marketing purposes but also aimed to assist the community, particularly during hot weather. He emphasized that there was "no malicious intent" and that recipients expressed appreciation for the tents.
However, critics, including comedian and content creator Harrison Baum, viewed the giveaway as a marketing stunt rather than a genuine act of charity. Baum, who documented the branded tents on Skid Row, described the situation as "one of the craziest things" he had seen and attributed it to a failure by local leadership to address the homelessness crisis. He noted that despite Los Angeles spending nearly $3 billion annually on homelessness programs, the homeless population is projected to grow.
Michelle Borrow, managing partner at Terp Science Labs, acknowledged that the campaign could be perceived as a marketing ploy but reiterated the company's intention to help. She argued that if the sole aim were marketing, more cost-effective methods would have been employed. "If it was totally marketing, there's definitely easier, more economical ways we could direct market to our consumer," Borrow said.
Despite the backlash, Terp Science Labs plans to distribute an additional 500 tents in October, citing anticipation from community members. Baum remains critical, asserting that there are more appropriate ways to advertise and that associating homelessness with a mind-altering substance like cannabis is inappropriate until individuals are in a more stable life situation.
Baum, a former founder of the smoking subscription box company Daily High Club, which was acquired for $10 million in 2021, expressed his views based on his experience in the cannabis industry. He stated, "Even though I love weed, I’ve made my career off of it, I use it every day — at the end of the day, it is a mind altering substance, and I don’t think homeless and weed shouldn’t intermingle at all until they’re at a better place in their life."
Official reports are expected to indicate a rise in the homeless population in Los Angeles in 2026, a statistic Baum wryly suggested could translate to more advertising opportunities. Terp Science Labs, however, maintains its efforts were aimed at community support while simultaneously promoting its brand, with plans for continued distribution.