Things are heating up between Sherbinski and Doja

An appointment that could have remained just another news story turned into a public showdown. The arrival of Ryan Bartholomew, founder of Doja Pak, as head of genetics at Sherbinskis prompted a reaction from Mario Guzman, also known as Mr. Sherbinski, founder and a historic figure associated with the California-based brand.

Beyond the personal conflict between the two men, the case primarily highlights an issue that has become central to an industry in which Cannabis In the midst of consolidation: a company, its brand, its founder, and its genetic Can they still be considered a single entity when ownership and control eventually diverge?

Ryan Bartholomew Takes the Helm of Genetics at Sherbinskis

It all started with a video posted by Sherbinskis in which Ryan Bartholomew announced that the company had changed ownership and that he would now be heading up its genetics division.

However, this appointment did not come out of the blue. In 2023, PrimeTime Capital completed its merger with Sherbinskis. According to Oleg Spektorov, co-founder of PrimeTime, in an interview published by High Times In January 2026, before the article was removed from the publication’s website, PrimeTime reportedly sold 18.5% of its equity as part of the transaction, while assuming approximately $10 million to $11 million in debt and liabilities. Spektorov also noted that the company had ultimately parted ways with Mario Guzman.

The announcement of Bartholomew's arrival, however, struck a nerve with Guzman, who responded publicly a few days later.

Mario Guzman disputes Sherbinskis' account

In a video that's nearly four minutes long, Mario Guzman emphasizes a distinction that he considers essential: that between the Sherbinskis brand and the varieties he has developed throughout his career.

«In 2023, I merged with a company called PrimeTime,» Guzman acknowledges. But his main argument lies elsewhere: in his view, the company’s control over the brand does not mean that it also owns his genetic work. He asserts that his varieties are now managed separately by Voice of the Plant, a company he founded in 2020.

His response then takes a more personal turn as he addresses Bartholomew directly. In particular, Guzman rejects the idea that the two men could be portrayed as colleagues or close friends. He also states that Bartholomew had contacted him before accepting the position at Sherbinskis and had confided in him that he needed money.

Behind this exchange lies a deeper, recurring disagreement within the cannabis industry: where does ownership of a brand, and where those of the intellectual property and genetic who helped build his reputation?

The issue takes on a special significance when companies are built around breeders and varieties as iconic as the Gelato or the Sunset Sherbet attract outside capital.

In fact, Bartholomew is particularly familiar with this field of genetics. The RS-11, one of the strains closely associated with Doja, is a cross between Sunset Sherbert and Pink Guava, thereby linking part of Doja’s catalog to a genetic lineage historically associated with Guzman. Other strains linked to Doja also incorporate genetics Gelato.

In fact, the connection isn’t just genetic: Sherbinskis and Doja have already collaborated on co-branded products (infused pre-rolls and a live resin vape).

Doja replies, «I’ve never betrayed you.»

Bartholomew then posted his own response—a video about three minutes long—in which he disputed, among other things, the way Guzman described their relationship.

He confirms that he contacted Guzman before working with PrimeTime and admits to having told him, «I’m telling you, I need money, brother. » But Bartholomew presents this exchange in a different light: according to him, the fact that he called Guzman directly demonstrated precisely his desire to act openly and out of respect, rather than behind his back.”.

He also rejects any accusation of betrayal: «I have never betrayed you.»

According to Bartholomew, the two men never had as close a relationship as Guzman’s response might suggest. As for his decision to work with Sherbinskis’ current owners, he describes it first and foremost as a professional decision.

Ryan Bartholomew himself was involved in a dispute over the ownership of Doja

History offers another notable parallel. In 2023, Zaftig LLC sued Bartholomew over trademarks associated with Doja. Bartholomew, for his part, claimed to be the creator of the brand and asserted that Zaftig held only a license to it. The dispute was subsequently settled out of court, while Bartholomew continued to operate Doja.

In both cases, the same question arises, albeit in different forms: Does creating a cannabis brand necessarily mean owning it?

Legally, the answer depends on contracts, corporate structures, registered trademarks, and the various intellectual property rights at stake. Culturally, the cannabis industry may offer a very different answer.

And that is ultimately what makes the conflict surrounding the Sherbinskis and Doja more interesting than simply sharing videos on social media.

Many of California's historic cannabis brands were built around growers, breeders and the prominent figures with whom they were virtually inseparable. Their legitimacy stemmed from their lineage, their reputation, and their often clandestine networks, long before the arrival of institutional investors.

Legalization has profoundly changed the conditions necessary to compete on a large scale. Expansion now requires capital, licenses, production capacity, distribution networks, and increasingly complex corporate structures. And with capital inevitably comes the question of ownership.

Who really owns the legacy of a cannabis brand when one person created it, investors funded it, another company controls it, and a new breeder is ultimately responsible for developing its future strains?

The capitalization table may provide an answer. The cannabis community may offer another one.