Snoop Dogg, the famed 52-year-old rapper known for both his musical prowess and well-documented marijuana addiction, announced a startling turn of events in a recent Twitter announcement. Calvin Broadus, Snoop Dogg's birth name, announced to his followers on Thursday (16 November) that, after much thought and debate with his family, he has decided to "give up smoke." The request for solitude during this time period followed his revelation, lending credibility to the announcement.
However, a persistent sense of doubt clouds the veracity of this assertion. It's unclear whether this is a genuine personal decision or a deliberate manoeuvre wrapped within an intricate marketing effort for his cannabis company, Leafs By Snoop.
Snoop Dogg's involvement with cannabis precedes its legalisation across the United States. His home state of California holds historical significance, being the first to legalize medical marijuana, followed by recreational use in 2016, mirroring the precedents set by Colorado and Washington in 2012. This legal landscape created a conducive environment for Snoop's cannabis venture, Leafs By Snoop, established in Denver, Colorado, in 2015. The company has since specialised in crafting an array of cannabis products, including strains, concentrates, flowers, and edibles.
The rapper's on-stage persona has often been intertwined with the act of smoking joints during live performances, further solidifying his association with the cannabis culture. Snoop's involvement even extends to the realm of cinema, where he made a memorable cameo in the 1998 hit comedy "Half-Baked," a film revolving around a trio of stoners navigating their way through a weed-fueled adventure.
Snoop Dogg's journey to fame began with his feature on fellow rapper Dr. Dre's 1992 album, "The Chronic," which prominently featured a marijuana leaf on its CD cover. The subsequent release of his debut album, "Doggystyle," in 1993, propelled him into mainstream recognition, securing his status as a household name within the rap scene.
As the curtain falls on one chapter of Snoop Dogg's narrative, the world watches with curiosity, pondering whether this departure from his well-established association with smoking marks a genuine transformation or a strategic pivot in his enduring career.
