SOUR GRAPES And SWEET BETRAYAL: DON’T BE WEIRD
From purple-drenched beginnings to two corporate betrayals, Mr. Grape’s story is one of resilience, identity, and the relentless pursuit of authenticity in cannabis culture.
THE SEED WAS PLANTED (2018)
Before there were brands or betrayal, a young grower in Los Angeles was paying $1,200 in rent and $1,300 in light bills for a one-bedroom apartment. With a background in plant science and chemistry from Cal Poly Pomona, he began cultivating cannabis—not for clout, but for healing.
2019 – CANDY PAINT FLOWERS
Candy Paint Flowers emerged with bold purples, graffiti-inspired visuals, and a flavor-first approach. In less than two years, the brand reached more than 30 California dispensaries, led by the cult-favorite strain Bolo Runtz. Behind the success, corporate interest grew. A larger entity intervened, deals shifted, the team fractured—and the founder lost everything.
Lesson #1: If your name’s not on it, it’s not yours.
THE FIRST BURN
A hostile takeover removed him from the very company he built. He lost his grow, his artwork, and even the rights to use his dog Luna’s image.
2021 – LIFE IS NOT GRAPE
Reinventing himself as Mr. Grape, he launched fully licensed and entirely independent. Operating two indoor facilities in Van Nuys and Downtown Los Angeles, he cultivated strains like Grape Depression (Wedding Cake × Purple Punch), Grape 11 (Zkittlez × Gelato × KM1), and Lem1—created in honor of Luna. These were more than products; they were emotional tributes in jar form.
THE ASTOR CONNECTION
His work reached New York City, where Grape Depression and Grape 11 found a home at Astor Club. This led to the first-ever collaboration between The Alchemist and a cannabis brand, merging art, trauma, and premium genetics.
LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE
A former employee resurfaced and initiated lawsuits. The outcome: loss of the brand name, strains, and Luna’s likeness.
Lesson #2: Lightning can strike the same place twice.
2024 – DEATH OF A GRAPE
After two major betrayals, Mr. Grape was forced to walk away. Candy Paint was gone. Life Is Not Grape was gone. All that remained were grief and genetics.
DON’T BE WEIRD IS BORN
With no partners and no investors, he launched Don’t Be Weird—packaged in yellow legal-pad bags covered with raw, handwritten confessions. This was not branding; it was survival.
LEM2 – LUNA RECLAIMED
A cross of Jet Fuel Gelato × Lemon Tree, Lem2 was created as a tribute to Luna. It debuted at Puffcon 2024, and the official recreational release via GOAT Global sold out in three days.
GENETICS OVER GIMMICKS
Every strain was bred from memory rather than marketing:
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996 (Gelatti × KM1 bagseed)
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Chickens (996 × Cheese)
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IH8Z (Zkittlez cut)
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Weird (Blue Zushi bagseed × LCG × Z)
MEMORY-BASED DESIGN
Yellow notepads symbolized unsent thoughts. Scribbled tags acted as trauma codes. Lem2 was stolen art—reclaimed.
CULTURE CO-SIGNED
From graffiti-covered alley walls to the Billy Awards stage, and from West Coast shelves to East Coast smoke circles, the brand earned deep cultural respect.
FROM SURVIVAL TO SHELVES
What began as a defiant response to a lawsuit has grown into placement in over 10 California dispensaries—a comeback driven by grief, terps, and truth.
FINAL WORD FROM MR. SAD
“Don’t Be Weird is not just a brand but an essence of life. Literally everyone is being weird these days.”
Youtube Video
— nugg notes
sources:
• Puffcon 2024 official event page — confirms the Los Angeles block-party where LEM2 was first teased
• Mr. Sad tweet: “I WONT be at puffcon but LEM will!” — verifies LEM2’s Puffcon appearance
• Mr. Sad tweet (Oct 24 2024): “LEM2 (Lemon Tree × Jet Fuel Gelato) in all her glory” — gives strain genetics & branding
• Mr. Sad tweet (Aug 26 2024): “LEM2 … it’s about to get AMAZINGGGG” — second confirmation of genetics & roll-out
• Mr. Sad tweet (Nov 2024): launch day post — “LEM2 at GOAT Global” — shows the rec-market drop that sold out in 3 days
• Reddit r/trees review thread — consumer photos + feedback on LEM2 quality
• Mr. Sad tweet (May 2025): “996 = Gelatti × KM1 bagseed” — documents in-house genetics philosophy
• Honeysuckle “Best 420 Events 2024” article — lists The Billy Awards (Astor Club, Alchemist) where Don’t Be Weird was featured
• Billy Awards Instagram post — visual proof of the event & brand presence
• @donotbesoweird X (twitter) account
• @donotbesoweird Instagram account
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