Pittsburg to the Pit

Juan Quesada grew up in Pittsburg, California (925), raised by a single mother who provided stability but limited resources. His ambition was shaped by hardship and community struggle. Between the ages of 18 and 25, Quesada spent more time incarcerated than free, a period that fueled his determination for a fresh start.

Discipline Over Distraction

Structure entered his life through martial arts. Training under the Bay Area’s Skrappack/Cesar Gracie San Francisco lineage, Quesada earned a U.S.A. Jiu-Jitsu black belt—a discipline that later influenced his focus and consistency in business.

Prop 215 Start (2016)

In 2016, Quesada invested approximately $4,200 in legal counsel to establish a medical cannabis delivery service under California’s Prop 215. Operating with a backpack, the name “Backpack Boyz” emerged naturally. He ran routes across Sacramento, Monterey, Los Angeles, and Moss Landing, sourcing premium exotics like Billy Kimber, Gelato 41, Gushers, and Peanut Butter Breath. By submitting verified Prop 215 paperwork, he differentiated his service in a crowded space.

Building Bridges

Quesada connected with Garrison Lane and the 5 Points team, becoming a Bay Area representative for the Billy Kimber strain. He expanded Backpack Boyz into Southern California while collaborating with figures like The Cookie Monster 415, who helped shape the brand’s early strain menus, and Bay Area rapper B-Legit, who amplified its regional influence.

A Brand in Motion

What began as a compliant delivery evolved into a fully recognized brand. The growing demand for quality and menu variety demonstrated that Backpack Boyz was more than logistics—it was culture in motion.

The Lemon Cherry Gelato Era

Lemon Cherry Gelato (LCG) originated from a Gelato 33 bag seed grown by a close associate. Rather than rebranding it under existing strain names or courting confusion with Runtz derivatives, they launched it under a unique identity—“Lemon Cherry Gelato.” The consistent quality and early direct-to-print bag runs made LCG the brand’s defining strain.

Pandemic Lift (2020)

During 2020, Backpack Boyz scaled rapidly through nonstop drops, quality control, and consistent travel between cultivation hubs. Alongside 5 Points, Quesada kept premium candy-line genetics flowing to dispensaries and consumers alike.

Recreational Breakthrough

The Cookies Melrose LCG release went viral, marking Backpack Boyz’s entry into the recreational market. In March 2021, the first retail store—Backpack Boyz Midcity—opened with $483,000 in sales on day one. There were no celebrity endorsements, only authentic consumer demand. Trappers from across the country lined up, solidifying Backpack Boyz as a cultural institution.

Licensed Expansion

The brand expanded quickly: Long Beach (August/September 2021), San Diego (December 2021), Florida (via The Flowery, 2022), Arizona (October 2024), with pending projects in New Jersey, Washington, and Nevada. A Detroit partnership began in 2019, with sales continuing into 2024.

Protecting the Pack

After counterfeit packaging surfaced in Los Angeles’s Toy District, Backpack Boyz began rotating artwork—even on identical strains—and pursued trademark and domain enforcement through UDRP filings. These measures safeguarded brand integrity and consumer trust.

A Candy Culture Builder

Juan Quesada bridged the gap between the legacy and licensed markets. By shaping the candy-flavor wave and anchoring Lemon Cherry Gelato as a global symbol, he didn’t just follow a trend—he created one and helped define the blueprint for modern cannabis branding.

YOUTUBE VIDEO

— Nugg Notes

Sources

Sources:

• Quesada, Juan. Personal Interview with NuggNotes. Conducted by NuggNotes, Oct. 2025.

• “The Flowery Partners with West Coast Cannabis Brands like Backpack Boyz.” Miami New Times, 2023, www.miaminewtimes.com.

• Backpack Boyz Hand Rolls – The Flowery. The Flowery, 2024, www.theflowery.co.

• “Backpack Boyz Mid-City LA Grand Opening.” Instagram, 2021, www.instagram.com/backpackboyzmidcity.

• “Lemon Cherry Gelato by Backpack Boyz – Cookies Melrose Menu.” Cookies Melrose LA, 2021, www.cookiesmelrosela.com.

• “Backpack Boyz Phoenix Grand Opening (AZ Expansion).” Instagram, 2024, www.instagram.com/backpackboyz.phoenix.