LA Cannabis Company Accused of Turning Skid Row Tents Into Walking Billboards

Terp Science Labs, a Los Angeles company that produces flavor additives for cannabis products, has drawn criticism after distributing more than 500 tents bearing the company's logo to people living on Skid Row.

The company described the campaign as a "win-win," saying the tents provided temporary shelter while also increasing brand visibility through free advertising. Store manager "DJ" told The California Post, "We did it for our marketing, but also trying to help out as well," and added there was "no malicious intent."

Public Reaction

Critics argued the giveaway looked more like a publicity stunt than a substantive effort to address homelessness. Comedian and content creator Harrison Baum, who encountered multiple logoed tents near 4th and San Pedro, called the move "one of the craziest things" he had seen and blamed local leadership for failing to address the broader crisis.

"I think it's more of a symptom of the failure of our administration to actually take care of this," Baum said. "I guess the homeless going up means more advertising opportunities."

Company Response and Next Steps

Michelle Borrow, a managing partner at Terp Science Labs, acknowledged the perception of a stunt but insisted the intent was to help people in need. "If it was totally marketing, there's definitely easier, more economical ways we could direct market to our consumer," she told The Post. Despite the criticism, the company plans to distribute another 500 tents in October.

Context

Sources told The Post that, despite nearly $3 billion a year spent on homelessness programs across Los Angeles city and county, a forthcoming report is expected to show a roughly 3.4% increase in the homeless population in 2026. The debate over the tent giveaway highlights tensions about how private companies should engage with complex social problems.

Why This Matters

The incident raises ethical questions about combining charitable acts with overt branding in vulnerable communities, and it spotlights broader policy challenges: when immediate relief is visible but long-term solutions remain elusive, public scrutiny intensifies.

Key voices: Terp Science Labs (company statements), DJ (store manager), Michelle Borrow (managing partner), Harrison Baum (critic and content creator).

A Los Angeles company is facing backlash for handing out tents to the homeless with their logo. Instagram/@highceo

A shirtless man walks past tents and tarps on a sidewalk in Los Angeles. Andy Johnstone for CA Post

Baum pictured standing outside the Terp Science Labs, which handed out over 500 tents to the homeless on Skid Row. Instagram/@highceo

Comedian and content creator Harrison Baum discovered the tents earlier this week, telling the Post it was one of the "craziest" things he has seen. Instagram/@highceo

Homeless encampment in Los Angeles with blue tarps and tents on a street next to a brick wall. Andy Johnstone for CA Post

Terp Science Labs said their was "no malicious intent" and it was trying to help the community while also promoting its brand. Instagram/@highceo

Despite spending nearly $3 billion per year on homelessness programs, the latest LA city and county report is expected to show that the homeless population grew in 2026 by about 3.4%, sources told the Post. Andy Johnstone for CA Post