Feds Deny Snoop Dogg Trademark for ‘Smoke Weed Everyday’

Hip-hop icon and cannabis entrepreneur Snoop Dogg has hit a legal roadblock in his effort to trademark one of the most famous phrases in cannabis culture: “Smoke Weed Everyday.” The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) officially denied the trademark application, citing federal marijuana laws and the phrase’s widespread public use as the primary reasons for the rejection.

The trademark application was filed in 2024 by Dr. ETC Holdco, LLC, a company affiliated with Snoop Dogg that manages much of his intellectual property. Nearly two years later, the USPTO responded with a denial, explaining that trademarks tied to cannabis products face a major obstacle: marijuana is still illegal under federal law. Because federal trademark protection requires that a product or service be legal under federal regulations, any brand directly connected to marijuana sales cannot be registered at the federal level.

The USPTO stated that “use of a mark in commerce must be lawful under federal law,” and because the application included goods and services involving marijuana, it was automatically disqualified. While hemp-derived products were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, creating ongoing legal conflicts for cannabis businesses trying to protect their brands nationally.

The second reason for the denial was just as significant. According to the USPTO, the phrase “Smoke Weed Everyday” is simply too popular and widely used to function as a trademark. The phrase originated from a lyric associated with Snoop Dogg and has since become a universal slogan in cannabis culture, appearing on countless products sold by various retailers. Because consumers see the phrase used by many different companies and individuals, the USPTO argued that it does not identify a single brand or source, which is a key requirement for trademark protection.

In legal terms, the agency said the phrase is considered an “informational message” rather than a brand identifier. In other words, it expresses a general idea or lifestyle rather than pointing to a specific company or product line. That makes it ineligible for trademark registration.

Despite the setback, the decision does not prevent Snoop Dogg from continuing to use the phrase or sell products with the slogan. It simply means he cannot claim exclusive federal ownership of the phrase. Legal experts say he could attempt to appeal the decision, but the federal illegality of marijuana will remain a major challenge.

Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg continues expanding his cannabis empire. In recent years, he has launched multiple hemp and cannabis-related ventures, including direct-to-consumer platforms, merchandise lines, and retail locations connected to his brand. His “Smoke Weed Every Day” (S.W.E.D.) brand already sells hemp-derived cannabinoid products, smoking accessories, and lifestyle merchandise, and the brand continues to grow both in the U.S. and internationally.

The case highlights a major issue in the cannabis industry: even as marijuana becomes legal in more states and more mainstream culturally, federal law still limits business protections like trademarks, banking, and interstate commerce. For now, “Smoke Weed Everyday” may belong to the culture—but not officially to Snoop Dogg on paper.

By Monica Cherry