How Snoop Dogg Dodged A Federal Weed Ban With His “SWED” Trademark ... For Now

BusinessHollywood & EntertainmentHow Snoop Dogg Dodged A Federal Weed Ban With His “SWED” Trademark ... For NowByBill Hochberg,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about the business and law of music.Follow AuthorApr 22, 2026, 12:48pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more. Snoop Dogg attends Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on July 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)Getty ImagesSnoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus) has obtained approval from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for his Los Angeles pot shop called SWED, which stands for “Smoke Weed Every Day,” even though his shop is supplying product with more than 30% THC potency. Trademarks for businesses selling full-dosage marijuana are strictly off limits under federal law, yet Snoop Dogg and a few others have found a legit way to get over. Many music celebrities with canna-businesses – like Willie Nelson, the estate of Bob Marley and Wiz Khalifa – sell weed and paraphernalia in states where it’s legalized, but they haven’t obtained federal trademarks on their weed businesses, in the same way purveyors of alcohol do. But Snoop is following the path of companies like STIIIZY, a nationwide chain of pot stores with trademarks for very low and federally-legal 0.3% THC-dosed items and merchandise that doesn’t touch the plant at all. But then they’re stocking the dull-dosed items right beside a panoply of full potency pot products in their inhouse and online establishments. Snoop, in addition to being one of the best-known rappers ever, is a rap-capitalist with robust side hustles including not only his Los Angeles dispensary but also an Amsterdam weed cafe. According to a public filing, Snoop’s holding company, Dr. ETC Holdco, LLC, has filed for more than a dozen trademarks for cannabis-related and other goods and services in 50 countries outside the U.S. – inclu...