With more states legalizing marijuana in both the medical and recreational, the future of cannabis is bright. Celebrities have emerged as influential figures in shaping brand identities and packaging trends. Their star power and personal connections to cannabis culture have allowed them to create distinctive brands that resonate with consumers.
With 43 states legalizing marijuana in either medical or recreational form, the cannabis industry has a bright future. Celebrities from across the United States have proven to be some of the most effective advocates in pushing the legalization agenda. By entering the growing cannabis market, they’ve not only spread awareness about marijuana but also established their own one-of-a-kind brands.
Many of these personalities have been outspoken about legalization for decades, giving them unique authority on the subject. In this article, we’ll analyze the brands of three of the most notable celebrity marijuana entrepreneurs and how they’ve transcended mere business ventures to infuse their brands with their personal touch.
Leafs by Snoop: Turning cannabis packaging into an art form
With lyrics like “I’m Bob Marley reincarnated” and hit songs such as “California Roll” and “Kush,” Snoop Dogg has always been outspoken about his marijuana use. He entered the music business at a young age, changing the game forever with his debut “Doggystyle.”
Being one of the first stars to endorse marijuana publicly and promote its use came with its share of consequences. Instead of deterring him, these legal challenges only helped Snoop accomplish his goal. As Snoop grew both as a person and as a cultural icon, he realized that starting his own brand was the logical next step.
Thus, Leafs by Snoop (LBS) was born. This wasn’t just an ordinary business venture, as the legendary rapper wanted to infuse the brand with his pizzazz and personality. He wanted to share his passion, with a goal to make legal cannabis both high-quality and attractive to everyone. Snoop wanted LBS to appeal to both seniors and young people, as well as medical users and recreational smokers.
LBS combines elements of Snoop’s character: gold jewelry, his home state of California and the myriad of slang terms he personally coined. Both edibles and flowers are included in the LBS line. Out of all the facets of this successful brand, there is nothing more impressive than the packaging.
Brands that want to imitate this high-end, child-resistant packaging can explore options like our glass jars and barrier bags, which provide safety and style for consumers.
Willie’s Reserve: Championing the independent grower
Even though country music was always seen as a rebellious form of art, few artists have been as outspoken about marijuana as Willie Nelson. Just like Snoop, Willie realized that he could use his personal take on cannabis culture and turn it into a brand. For Willie, marijuana was about sharing and growing closer with people from all walks of life.
A clear indicator of Willie’s philosophy is his release of a personalized CBD coffee line in Texas. In contrast to Snoop’s flashy persona, Willie is more of an old-school cannabis enthusiast. Just take a look at his approach to marijuana packaging and branding. Vintage-looking cardboard packaging and bright colors tell the same story Willie does: marijuana culture is for everyone.
For brands looking to emulate Willie’s approachable, no-nonsense style, Green Rush Packaging offers a range of solutions that combine simplicity with effectiveness:
- Our glass weed jars provide a classic, transparent look that lets your product speak for itself.
- For a more rustic feel, kraft barrier bags offer a natural aesthetic and keep cannabis fresh.
- Our child resistant pop-top bottles combine safety with ease of use for brands prioritizing compliance and customer experience.
Chong’s Choice: Merging comedy and cannabis
The 1960s and 70s were not a good time for cannabis activism. Government scrutiny was at an all-time high, making life very difficult for people like Tommy Chong. As one half of the comedy duo Cheech and Chong, he toured the US and caused thousands of people to laugh. He and his partner created the genre of stoner comedy, a form of art infused with marijuana activism.
Not too long ago, Tommy decided to create his own marijuana brand and infuse it with the art that he helped create. As society became more progressive, Chong decided to use his authority and fame to launch his own cannabis brand – Chong’s Choice. In addition to selling premium products, Chong’s packaging emphasizes the benefits of marijuana and its undeniable importance in today’s world.
The main focus of Chong’s Choice line of products is CBD and its medicinal applications. Partnering with growers from five states, Chong is giving a chance to independent growers. Together, they have created a movement that is showing no signs of stopping. Our selection of CBD packaging includes tincture bottles and child resistant containers for brands following in Chong’s footsteps.
Every form of packaging revolves around a monochromatic design, focused on contrast and simplicity. A stencil of his smiling face is shown above a simple logo, made up of a mix of cursive writing and big bolded letters. It’s exactly what Tommy stands for: – a no-nonsense approach, free of any deceptive marketing schemes and gimmicks. Chong’s Choice defends the rights of independent growers and their place in the modern marijuana industry.
Other notable celebrity cannabis brands
While Leafs by Snoop, Willie’s Reserve and Chong’s Choice are pioneers in the celebrity cannabis space, several other stars have also entered the market with unique approaches to branding and packaging:
- Houseplant by Seth Rogen: Known for its retro-inspired packaging and focus on educating consumers about different cannabis strains.
- Monogram by Jay-Z: Features sleek, luxury-oriented packaging that positions cannabis as a premium lifestyle product.
- 22Red by System of a Down’s Shavo Odadjian: Emphasizes artistic expression in its branding, with packaging that often features bold, graphic designs.
- Viola by Al Harrington: Focuses on increasing minority participation in the cannabis industry, with vibrant, colorful packaging that stands out on shelves.
Industry trends influenced by celebrity brands
Celebrity cannabis brands have had a significant impact on broader industry trends:
- Emphasis on design: Following the lead of brands like LBS, there’s an increased focus on sophisticated, eye-catching packaging design. Learn more about our custom cannabis packaging solutions.
- Sustainability: Many celebrity brands prioritize eco-friendly packaging, influencing the wider industry to adopt more sustainable practices. Get details about sustainable cannabis packaging.
- Brand storytelling: Celebrities leverage their personal narratives in branding, encouraging other cannabis companies to focus on authentic storytelling.
- Social responsibility: Like Viola, more brands are incorporating social equity initiatives into their business models.
- Product diversification: Celebrity brands often offer a wide range of products, from flower to edibles to CBD-infused items, setting a trend for diverse product lines. For packaging ideas for different product types, check out our guide to cannabis packaging types.
Concluding thoughts
Snoop Dogg, Willie Nelson and Tommy Chong are the holy trinity of celebrity cannabis endorsement. Their take on marijuana packaging and branding is a unique mix of history and a little bit of personal touch. True icons that sell equally iconic products.
As celebrity cannabis brands continue to shape packaging trends, companies like Green Rush Packaging are at the forefront, offering innovative solutions that meet both regulatory requirements and brand aesthetics for businesses of all sizes in the cannabis industry.
From a luxury feel like Monogram to a more classic look like Willie’s Reserve, Green Rush Packaging has the expertise and product range to help you create packaging that stands out on dispensary shelves.
