If you've spent much time around cannabis, you've probably heard the name Backpack Boyz.
It's one of those brands people ask for by name. Between the distinctive packaging, well-known strain drops and the following the brand has built over the years, Backpack Boyz has become a recognizable name well beyond its California roots.
So what exactly is Backpack Boyz?
Here's the straightforward version.
For adults 21+ only. Keep cannabis securely away from children and pets. Do not drive or operate machinery while impaired by cannabis.
Where Did Backpack Boyz Start?
Backpack Boyz started in California and built its reputation around cannabis flower, genetics and branding that was pretty difficult to miss.
The company traces the Backpack Boyz name back to the late 2010s and is now based in Los Angeles.
Since then, Backpack Boyz has expanded well beyond its original California following, with branded cannabis products appearing in legal markets in multiple states, including Washington.
That's part of why you may recognize the name even if you've never actually tried the flower.
Is Backpack Boyz a Strain?
No.
This is probably the biggest point of confusion.
Backpack Boyz is a cannabis brand, not a strain.
The brand has released numerous strains and genetics over the years, so when someone walks in and asks if we "have Backpack Boyz," they're usually asking whether we currently carry products from the brand.
From there, we still need to figure out which strain or product they're actually looking for.
Why Is Backpack Boyz So Well Known?
A big part of Backpack Boyz's recognition comes from the combination of cannabis and branding.
The packaging is distinctive.
The strain names tend to be memorable.
The brand developed a strong following in California cannabis culture and expanded from there.
Social media and word of mouth have also made cannabis brands much more recognizable than they were during the early years of legal weed.
There was a time when most customers walked into a dispensary asking for "an indica" or "something with high THC."
Now plenty of people walk in asking for a specific producer, strain or drop they saw online.
Backpack Boyz is a good example of that shift.
What Does Backpack Boyz Make?
Backpack Boyz is primarily associated with cannabis flower, but the brand has expanded into other product formats as well.
Depending on the market and what's currently available, you may see Backpack Boyz products such as:
- Flower
- Pre-rolls
- Vape products
- Different strain and genetics releases
The important part is "depending on what's available."
Cannabis inventory moves quickly, and Washington products aren't necessarily identical to what you'll see from the same brand in California or another state.
If you saw a Backpack Boyz strain online, that doesn't automatically mean it's sitting on our shelf in Seattle.
Check the current menu or ask us what's available.
Does the Brand Matter?
Yes, but it's only part of the story.
Recognizing a cannabis brand can be a useful starting point. If you've had consistently good experiences with a producer, it makes sense that you'd look for that name again.
But the logo on the package doesn't tell you everything about the cannabis inside it.
We'd still look at things like:
- The individual strain
- Cannabinoid content
- Terpene information when available
- Harvest and packaging information
- Product type
- Freshness
- What you've personally enjoyed before
Two strains from the same brand can be completely different.
That's why we don't want someone choosing cannabis based entirely on the name printed on the bag.
Don't Shop on THC Percentage Alone
This applies to Backpack Boyz just as much as any other flower.
The highest THC number isn't automatically the best weed in the store.
Cannabis flower is more complicated than one percentage.
Genetics, cultivation, curing, freshness, aroma, terpene profile and your own preferences can all matter when you're deciding between products.
If you're comparing two Backpack Boyz strains and one has a higher THC percentage, that doesn't automatically mean you'll like it more.
Look at the whole product.
How We Help Customers Shop Backpack Boyz
If you come into Seattle Cannabis Co. asking for Backpack Boyz, we'll first show you what we actually have available.
From there, we'll probably ask a few questions.
What kinds of strains have you liked before?
Are there particular flavors or aromas you tend to enjoy?
Are you shopping for flower, pre-rolls or something else?
Do you already have a specific Backpack Boyz strain in mind?
You don't need to know the answers to all of those.
"I saw Backpack Boyz online and wanted to try it" is a perfectly reasonable place to start.
That's what budtenders are for.
Backpack Boyz in Washington
One thing worth understanding about national cannabis brands is that cannabis doesn't work like an ordinary product that's manufactured in California and shipped to every store in the country.
Washington has its own licensed cannabis production and processing system.
Cannabis sold through Washington's regulated recreational market has to move through that legal in-state system rather than simply being shipped into Seattle from a California dispensary.
So when you see a famous cannabis brand expand into Washington, the legal structure behind the product can be different from what you might assume based on ordinary consumer brands.
The Backpack Boyz name may have started in California, but the cannabis you're buying from a licensed Washington store is part of Washington's regulated cannabis market.
Shop Backpack Boyz at Seattle Cannabis Co.
Looking for Backpack Boyz in Seattle?
Check the Seattle Cannabis Co. menu to see what Backpack Boyz products and strains are currently available at our Rainier Valley store.
Cannabis inventory changes constantly, so specific strains and products can come and go.
If Backpack Boyz is what brought you in, tell us.
We'll show you what's currently on the shelf, help you compare the options and answer your questions without pretending the most famous package is automatically the right weed for you.
Sometimes the brand name gets you interested.
What's actually inside the bag is what matters.
