Snoop Dogg lights up the weed world with SWED dispensary launch and 2Pac collab
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No one throws a party like Snoop Dogg, so you know I was all in for the grand opening of S.W.E.D., his first dispensary. It was only a matter of time before one of the biggest names and truly an originator in the game of rap and cannabis fully invested and re-entered the market with his own dispensary. The move rounds out his business catalog, which now includes Dr.Bombay Ice Cream, Gin and Juice pre-mixed cocktails, and the iconic Death Row Cannabis brand. Some of you fans out there might recognize the store name’s acronym as the iconic phrase by Snoop’s late cousin Nate Dogg in The Next Episode: “Smoke Weed Every Day.”
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What was formerly a Dr. GreenThumbs dispensary, owned by B-Real of Cypress Hill, took on a fairly substantial makeover on the inside during the rebranding. While the retail and Point-of-Sale area remain very similar, the rest of the shop has seen new art, along with popular slogans from Snoop on the floors and walls. Even an oversized mock electric chair is available for use to take your own Death Row Records inspired selfie. One cool fresh addition is a smokey glass cutout along what looks to be an exterior wall, with DJ Snoopadelic etched along the top, and its usage became all too obvious once things kicked off.
More than just a grand opening, this was a party set to celebrate maybe the most influential rappers of all time via the 2Pac x Death Row Cannabis collaboration. Those who made it out on this special day had the option to pick up a bundle set, which included a t-shirt, flower, and pre-rolls. After grabbing some of the most iconic stash, you were given a wristband and allowed to come back in the shop for a private set with DJ Snoopadelic, performing live.
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The mo’ dedicated the mo’ medicated
Snoop Dogg, born Calvin Broadus Jr., has become synonymous with cannabis culture, both in his music and personal life. Since bursting onto the scene in the early 1990s with Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic,” Snoop has consistently incorporated marijuana themes into his lyrics, creating a laid-back, West Coast vibe that became his signature sound.
Songs like “Gin and Juice,” “The Next Episode,” and “Young, Wild & Free” celebrate the recreational use of marijuana, solidifying Snoop as an icon in both the rap and cannabis communities. His music not only reflects his personal affinity for cannabis but also has played a significant role in destigmatizing its use, making it a central element of his artistic persona.
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In real life, Snoop Dogg has been an outspoken advocate for marijuana legalization and has built a significant presence in the cannabis industry. He launched Leafs by Snoop in 2015, with a line of cannabis products that include flowers, concentrates, and edibles made by Canopy in Colorado, but it was ultimately shelved. Additionally, Snoop co-founded Casa Verde Capital, one of the first funds established to focus on the cannabis industry with investments in some of the most influential cannabis businesses around the world, including Dutchie, Metrc, Surfside, Leaflink, and many more.
Puff some mo’ weed, funk, ya don’t need
A name synonymous with rap culture, 2Pac is the newest collaboration with Death Row Cannabis. These exclusive jars were filled with Alien OG, and just popping the top the smell of earthy, gassy, and piney terps takes over your nose, letting you know this one was picked for a reason. But the fun doesn’t stop there as each purchase came with a one of four never released photos of 2Pac along with a set of Death Row Records matchbook, and limited edition run t-shirt.
This 2Pac collab is sold only at SWED for now, and on launch was available in two bundle options, including other eighths of Death Row flower and pre-rolls. Five packs of liquid diamond-infused joints in Cotton Candy OG and Bubblegum were included, and while only coming in at a half gram, they still pack a punch! In my bag was also some LA Pop, one that gives me old GSC vibes and Chocolate Biscotti, which has a more gassy upfront in-your-face kinda vibe. Alternative bundles included single infused joints instead of flower options.
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As an avid consumer of some of the tastiest terps in the world, I can say I went into this thinking it would just be another celebrity collaboration, and the flower would be suspect. I can honestly say this is far from the truth. The flower is one hundred percent on point, and if you like to roll up like I do, you will be treated to joints dripping with resin, all white ash, and some clean and tasty smoke through and through.
He is I and I am him, slim with the tilted brim
Those lucky enough to be on board for the official launch got to enjoy a set by the man himself, the Snoop D. O. G. G. This was performed behind the glass within the dispensary, with turntables and a mic so he could address the audience within the dispensary. Dropping beats and interacting with fans, you could tell this was a location designed specifically for this purpose, and I wouldn’t be surprised if more pop-up sets happen here from Snoop himself or others within the industry and Death Row Records.
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The crowd was a mixed bag, something you would expect for an artist who has been in the game for three decades. Everyone from grandmas holding Snoop Dogg Funko pops to a guy who literally was just in town from Brazil on business and was told about the spot and drop, so had to come through. Mr. Bombay took time to interact with the booth girls and came crashing through a table WWE-style after laying out for a pose. No one was hurt, but some ice cream was spilled.
Outside, others held albums and posters hoping they would potentially get a chance to see the Dogg father on his way out. Up against the glass, however, I used my time to show Snoop the WaterBoyz short looking for a feature which he seemed to enjoy, before telling me I looked like Paulie Shore, which I took as a compliment.
If you believe in the S, you’ll be relievin’ your stress
Sometimes, the hype is bogus, and trust me, I have found that way too often in the cannabis industry. For me, though, I came in with expectations that this was a quick grab and walked away instead, being in genuine awe of a game changer in the industry. As a full-on dispensary experience, I can say this is a pretty amazing shop, with experienced staff and a wide selection of products spanning most of the popular brands you know and love. On top of that, this is where you can get the exclusive drops of Death Row Cannabis, before it goes out to other retailers.
So if you’re a Snoop Dogg fan, or a weed fan, or more than likely, you are both, now you have a new destination on your bucket list. I will definitely be stopping by whenever I am in the area for sure, and I am excited to see how this space is used for events and other collaborations coming down the pipeline. After everything is said and done, though, the words of Nate Dogg (RIP) and the name of the store are something we can all share together.
Smoke Weed Every Day.
*This article was submitted by a guest contributor. The author is solely responsible for its contents.