Snoop Dogg has launched a new digital-media business called Merry Jane that will focus on all things cannabis, not unlike the rapper’s storied career.
The Long Beach, Calif., native introduced the project with media entrepreneur co-founder Ted Chung at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco on Monday. The pair described the platform as a lifestyle and information hub for anyone interested in marijuana.
“Merry Jane is cannabis 2.0,” Snoop Dogg said in a promotional video aired at the event. “A crossroads of pot culture, business, politics, health.”
The 43-year-old also said he hopes it will give people “an opportunity to come out of the closet and just admit they like to smoke.”
To help this mission, the platform will feature a range of original content. A cooking show for budding chefs will cover edibles and weed pairings, while a show called Deflowered features smokers discussing first-time experiences. Snoop Dogg hinted at celebrity appearances, saying, “Seth Rogan is down with the team.”
Merry Jane will also tap into the business side of the multibillion dollar marijuana industry, Chung explained. He hopes the platform will become the leading destination for brands and retail businesses. And it will offer guides to choosing the right strain of marijuana for you.
The platform launches in October, but is sending invitations to a select number of beta testers. Just 420 people, Snoop Dogg joked.
This is What the First Day of Legal Weed Looked Like in Washington
The press gathers at Cannabis City, the first dispensary with a state license to sell recreational marijuana to the public in Seattle, July 8, 2014. Brian Cahn—Zuma PressAlison Holcomb (2nd L), Criminal Justice Director of ACLU of Washington State and co-author of state Initiative 502 legalizing marijuana, and Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes (2nd R) take part in the opening ceremonies at Cannabis City during the first day of legal retail marijuana sales in Seattle on July 8, 2014. Jason Redmond—ReutersA man waiting in line to buy recreational marijuana displays his pot-leaf tattoo oustside of Top Shelf Cannabis in Bellingham, Wash. on July 8, 2014.Ted S. Warren—APA Dope Magazine photographer takes a photo at Cannabis City in Seattle on July 8, 2014. Brian Cahn—Zuma PressAllan Ridge shows off the centerfold of Northwest Leaf while waiting in line at Cannabis City in Seattle on July 8, 2014. Brian Cahn—Zuma PressThe price of two grams of a strain of marijuana named "Sweet Lafayette," is displayed at Top Shelf Cannabis in Bellingham, Wash. on July 8, 2014.Ted S. Warren—APCustomers on the left and sales clerks on the right pass "sniff jars" back and forth on a glass countertop as they discuss different strains of recreational marijuana at Top Shelf Cannabis in Bellingham, Wash. on July 8, 2014.Ted S. Warren—APRyan Hutchen of Columbia, S.C., looks at different cannabis strains at recreational marijuana store Cannabis City in Seattle on July 8, 2014. Stephen Brashear—EPAJaime Henifin smells the marijuana strain "Opal OG Kush" while shopping at Top Shelf Cannabis in Bellingham, Wash. on July 8, 2014.David Ryder—Getty ImagesJeremy Hunter, right, an employee at Top Shelf Cannabis talks about different strains of marijuana as he works behind a case displaying glass pipes in Bellingham, Wash. on July 8, 2014.Ted S. Warren—APDeb Greene, the first customer at Cannabis City, holds up her purchase signed by owner James Lathrop during the first day of legal retail marijuana sales in Seattle on July 8, 2014. Jason Redmond—ReutersCale Holdsworth, of Abeline, Kan., who waited in line since 4:00 am, holds up his purchase after being the first in line to buy legal recreational marijuana at Top Shelf Cannabis in Bellingham, Wash. on July 8, 2014.Ted S. Warren—APCashier Andrew Powers completes a cash marijuana purchase at Cannabis City during the first day of legal retail marijuana sales in Seattle on July 8, 2014. Jason Redmond—Reuters
