When Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch announced he was taking his weed game serious, people braced for hype. But now, pairing up with a true Los Angeles OG brand like Originals, that hype just got real. Lynch’s Dodi—his signature cannabis brand—has officially expanded via a collaboration with Originals, transforming a Bay-area baby into a national player with deep L.A. credibility.
Originals, for their part, aren’t newcomers. They’ve been holding it down in L.A. since 2006 as a family-run, fully vertical cannabis operation—growing, manufacturing, distributing—and building something of a cult following with strains like Originals OG, King Louie, Skywalker, and Oaksterdam OG. Their roots in South L.A. are deep, and their community game is tight.
So when Marshawn rolls into town with Dodi, this isn’t just an athlete brand jumping in. It’s a cultural collision where street cred meets craftsmanship.
South L.A. Launch: Tacos, Cars, Culture & Cannabiz
The launch went down September 27 at Originals’ flagship facility in South Los Angeles. The scene was raw and real: fans lined up to meet Marshawn, tour the grow, grab Dodi flower, and soak in the vibes. Marshawn even played dice with fans, signed merch, and hung out with actor Anthony Anderson.
But let’s talk about the side attractions—because in L.A., you don’t just launch weed, you launch an experience. Our Beard Bros cofounder was on site, eating tacos, shaking hands, and soaking in every moment. The taco game was tight (no bland carne asada), and the SoCal car club presence brought curb appeal only L.A. can deliver.
Lowriders, classics, slammed muscle cars: the kind of automotive poetry that sets streets humming. And yes—the smell of primo flower floated through the air, making it feel like home to any cannabis head. (We cherry-picked a few fat joints for the ride home, naturally.)
This wasn’t just a product release—it was a block party for the culture. Originals has been doing similar events before, like their Cannabis & Classic Car event in South L.A., where cars and community met cannabis celebration. This collab just elevated that formula: you bring the roots, Marshawn brings the star power, and the crowd brings the energy.
The Strains That Speak Beast Mode
The Dodi × Originals drop launched with three exclusive strains—no basic bag appeal here:
- Beast Berry — Gelato-based hybrid, fruity punch with a punch to match.
- Milk & Cookies — A dessert strain that balances sweet flavor and euphoric vibes.
- Charlie OG — A nod to classic Roots: strong, heavy, timeless.
These strains carry more than names—they carry legacy. Originals has a genetics vault and years of experience refining phenos and consistency. Dodi now taps directly into that vault while injecting Lynch’s own swagger.
Why the Collab Matters (And What’s Next)
Credibility vs. Gym Bro Green
Athletes launching weed brands is old news. What isn’t old news is doing it with a pedigree. Dodi + Originals isn’t just celebrity + product—it’s synergy. Lynch’s name opens doors. Originals’ infrastructure, reputation, and roots keep them from slapping your average “celebrity weed label” label.
This move signals that Marshawn wants a legacy in cannabis, not just a moment. High Times describes it as “Lynch planting that energy in L.A.”—not the other way around. High Times
Respecting the L.A. Ground Game
Originals didn’t spring up yesterday. They built slowly, organically, within community, with a family ethos. They’ve resisted offers to sell, choosing to scale while keeping control. That foundation gives them gravitas—something many fast pivot brands can’t fake.
By collaborating with Originals rather than replacing them, Marshawn bets on local respect. That’s the kind of play Beard Bros respects.
What’s Next
If Dodi’s rollout is strong in L.A., the next steps should be: expansion into other California markets, scaling into adult-use states, and aligning with regional cultural hubs (e.g. SoCal, Bay Area, Pacific Northwest). The Originals infrastructure gives Dodi a runway faster than starting from scratch.
Also keep an eye on how they lean into culture (automotive, music, streetwear). This launch already fused cars, food, cannabis, and community. That’s a blueprint for brand building—not just product pushing.
Beard Bros Spotlight: On the Ground With Marshawn
As promised, our Beard Bros cofounder was boots on the ground that day. We mingled with fans, talked strains, and judged taco stacks while watching lowriders glide by. Meeting Marshawn in person—there’s no filter. The man’s energy matched what you’d expect: chill but deliberate, street but strategic.
He took time for the crowd, signed merch, shook hands. The Originals facility itself felt like home base—walls that have seen years of operations, staff who know the plants and community. The car clubs lined up with pride, people showed up looking for smoke and connection. It felt like something bigger was being born right in front of us.
Legacy Over Hype
Look: we’re not here to ride trends. At Beard Bros, we look for authenticity, longevity, and respect for the streets that built this space. Marshawn Lynch’s Dodi × Originals move checks those boxes.
This is more than a collab. It’s a bridge between Bay and L.A., between athlete and cultivator, between hype and foundation. Originals brings decades of LA credibility. Marshawn brings platform, personality, and ambition. The result? A cannabis brand that has a shot not just at attention—but at legacy.
And if you were there eating tacos, feeling the engine vibrations, breathing that fresh flower haze—you already know we just witnessed a chapter being written.
