Key Takeaways
- Cheech and Chong have evolved from comedy legends to cannabis entrepreneurs, offering a range of products like flower, vapes, and edibles.
- Understanding cannabis strains involves knowing cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds; names don’t guarantee effects or contents.
- Chonged and Cheeched gummies target different experiences using distinct cannabinoid profiles despite playful branding.
- Cannabis products can vary significantly by manufacturer and market; always check labels and lab results for accurate information.
- Today’s cannabis industry combines humor and science, transforming perceptions from the days of ‘What’s in dat shit?’ to informed choices.
From a questionable Labrador to modern-day cannabis genetics, the legendary comedy duo has come a long way. But what exactly is in their weed today? We investigate the strains, the science, and the names that would make even Tommy Chong raise an eyebrow.
“What’s in dat shit?” — “Mostly Labrador.” — From Up in Smoke, when discussing what kind of weed they are smoking (which includes a dog’s stash).
There are movie quotes that become famous, and then there are movie quotes that practically demand their own cannabis product line.
Cheech and Chong’s legendary exchange in Up in Smoke gave us one of cinema’s great questions about quality control. Most people want to know where their cannabis came from, what’s in it, and whether it has been tested. The characters in that scene appear to have a somewhat more relaxed approach to sourcing.
Labrador? Really, man?
Today, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong have gone from counterculture comedy legends to names associated with a modern cannabis marketplace featuring flower, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates, and edibles. Their official cannabis ventures span different products and strain-inspired experiences, depending on the brand and market.
So, in the spirit of their immortal question, let’s take a closer look at Cheech and Chong’s strains, what they’re made of, and what those wonderfully suspicious names actually mean.
Because in today’s cannabis industry, “What’s in dat shit?” deserves a better answer than “the dog knows, man.”
First, what’s actually in a cannabis strain?
Before we get into the names, let’s establish one important fact: a cannabis strain is not a cocktail recipe. You cannot assume that a product called Love Machine contains love, that Drooler contains saliva, or that Labrador contains anything that once belonged to a dog.
Although, after watching Up in Smoke, checking the label feels like a perfectly reasonable precaution.
Cannabis flower is made up of the dried flowering parts of the cannabis plant. These contain several naturally occurring compounds that contribute to the plant’s characteristics.
The main components worth knowing about are:
- Cannabinoids: Compounds such as THC and CBD. THC is primarily responsible for cannabis’s intoxicating effects, while CBD does not produce the same characteristic high.
- Terpenes: Aromatic compounds that contribute to cannabis’s smell and flavour. Different terpene profiles can produce earthy, citrusy, pine-like, floral, or fruity aromas.
- Flavonoids and other plant compounds: These contribute to the plant’s chemistry and characteristics.
- Plant material: The flower itself includes structures such as trichomes, tiny resin-producing glands where many cannabinoids and terpenes are concentrated.
A strain’s genetic background, growing conditions, harvesting, curing, and storage all influence the final product. Two batches carrying the same strain name can differ in potency and aroma.
In other words, a fancy strain name is not a chemical analysis. If you really want to know what’s in the bag, look for the product’s laboratory results and cannabinoid profile.
Cheech and Chong might have been willing to trust the Labrador. The modern consumer should probably demand a certificate of analysis.
Meet the strains: a few legends from the Cheech & Chong universe
One important distinction: Cheech & Chong-associated cannabis products are not all one universal collection. The available names and formulations vary by company, product line, and location. Some are conventional cannabis flower, while others are hemp-derived cannabinoid products or infused products.
The following examples come from the brands’ published product catalogues and strain descriptions. Their names may be familiar, but the chemistry depends on the specific product.
1. Love Machine: romance, with a terpene profile
If a cannabis strain is going to be called Love Machine, expectations are naturally going to be unreasonable.
Is it going to make you fall in love? Write poetry? Finally text that person back? Or simply leave you staring at your phone wondering why you opened it?
The Cheech & Chong Cannabis flower collection identifies Love Machine as a sativa-dominant experience associated with the terpene terpinolene.
Terpinolene is an aromatic compound found in several plants. It is often associated with fresh, herbal, piney, and sometimes citrus-like or floral aromas.
The flower itself contains the cannabinoids and other compounds naturally present in the particular batch. The terpinolene designation describes its highlighted terpene profile, not a guarantee that every batch contains an identical amount or produces the same effect.
And no, there is no scientific guarantee that it will improve your romantic prospects.
If it does, please remember that your newfound charm is not a substitute for consent.
2. StaDankOHHH: the name says it all, apparently
Somebody in the naming department clearly had a good day.
StaDankOHHH is the brand’s hybrid flower experience associated with caryophyllene, a terpene also found in black pepper, cloves, and other plants.
Caryophyllene is particularly interesting because it can interact with the body’s CB2 receptors, making it a subject of scientific interest. That does not mean the terpene alone guarantees a particular effect when you consume cannabis.
A hybrid designation generally refers to cannabis genetics with both indica- and sativa-associated ancestry. It doesn’t establish a precise prediction of how an individual will feel.
As for the name, StaDankOHHH sounds less like a scientific classification and more like the noise somebody makes when they open a container and discover the contents are considerably more aromatic than expected.
The product’s actual potency, however, should come from its laboratory testing rather than the enthusiasm of its spelling.
3. Drooler: when the munchies meet the marketing department
Drooler is the Cheech & Chong Cannabis flower experience associated with myrcene and described by the brand as indica-dominant.
Myrcene occurs in a variety of plants and is often associated with earthy, musky, herbal aromas. It is also found in hops, which should come as no surprise to anyone who has ever sniffed a garden and thought, “That smells suspiciously familiar.”
Cannabis products containing myrcene may have a distinctive aroma, but terpene content alone cannot reliably predict whether someone will feel sleepy, relaxed, hungry, or anything else.
The indica-dominant label describes a broad genetic or marketing category, not a scientifically guaranteed experience.
Still, Drooler is an inspired name. It conjures up an image of somebody settling onto a couch, watching television, and developing a passionate relationship with a packet of crisps.
Whether that’s the strain or simply a Saturday night remains an open question.
4. YesCa: a hybrid with a citrus connection
YesCa is another flower experience in the Cheech & Chong Cannabis collection, associated with limonene, a terpene widely found in citrus peels.
Limonene contributes a citrus-like aroma that may remind you of lemon zest, orange peel, or the person who insists on squeezing fresh lemon into absolutely everything.
The product is described as a hybrid. As with other cannabis flowers, its full composition depends on the batch’s cannabinoids, terpenes, genetics, and cultivation conditions.
Limonene is studied for various biological properties, but the presence of this terpene in cannabis does not establish a specific medical benefit or guarantee a particular mood.
The name YesCa does, however, sound like the answer to a question nobody has finished asking.
“Would you like another—”
“YESCA!”
Perhaps the marketing team was onto something.
5. Lowrider: taking it low and slow
Lowrider is the brand’s indica-dominant flower experience associated with pinene, a terpene found in pine trees, rosemary, and other plants.
As its name suggests, Lowrider sounds like a strain that would cruise down the street with hydraulics bouncing and a soundtrack supplied by a very relaxed DJ.
Pinene is associated with fresh, pine-like aromas. There are two common forms, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, and their proportions can vary between products.
The presence of pinene doesn’t mean a cannabis product will automatically make you alert, focused, or relaxed. Nor does an indica-dominant classification establish a guaranteed sedative effect.
Think of the terpene profile as one piece of the product’s chemical identity, not a crystal ball.
The only thing we can safely predict from the name is that the branding department understands the assignment.
6. AhhBerry: a floral finish to the lineup
AhhBerry is described by the brand as a sativa-dominant flower experience associated with linalool.
Linalool is an aromatic compound found in plants such as lavender and coriander. It is often associated with floral, slightly spicy aromas.
It contributes to the overall scent profile of some cannabis varieties, although the intensity and character depend on the full mix of terpenes and other compounds.
And while linalool has attracted scientific interest, it would be a stretch to claim that a strain containing it will necessarily calm you down, lift your mood, or make you feel as though you’ve been personally hugged by a field of lavender.
AhhBerry is a nice name, though. It sounds like the verbal equivalent of sinking into a chair after a long day and discovering that somebody else has already made the tea.
For once, a strain name that sounds like it might be an exhale rather than a police siren.
The other Cheech & Chong products: because flower is only the beginning
The modern cannabis market has expanded well beyond dried flower. Cheech & Chong-associated product catalogues include several formats, and each has a different composition.
Here’s where the answer to “What’s in dat shit?” becomes considerably more technical.
7. Infused pre-rolls: when a joint gets a little extra attention
A traditional pre-roll contains ground cannabis flower rolled into paper. An infused pre-roll adds another cannabis-derived ingredient, such as concentrate or distillate, depending on the manufacturer.
Cheech & Chong Cannabis lists infused products featuring terpene blends and concentrated cannabis extracts. One of its approaches uses cryogenically treated material to distribute the infusion through the pre-roll. See the manufacturer’s product descriptions .
What goes into one?
- Cannabis flower as the base material.
- A concentrated extract or distillate, depending on the product.
- Terpenes, which may be naturally derived or added as a blend.
The precise formula varies. An infused joint can contain considerably more cannabinoids than a conventional pre-roll, so the label matters.
In other words, this is not necessarily the place to channel your inner Up in Smoke character and announce, “I can handle it, man.”
Famous last words have a way of becoming couch-based documentaries.
8. Cosmic Concentrates: cannabis chemistry goes intergalactic
The Cosmic Concentrates range takes cannabis beyond flower and into concentrated extracts. The brand lists formats such as sugar, badder, diamonds, sauce, shatter, and live resin. Explore the official Cheech & Chong Cannabis range .
These terms describe different extract textures and processing approaches:
- Sugar: A granular concentrate with a texture resembling wet sugar crystals.
- Badder: A soft, whipped or batter-like extract.
- Diamonds: Crystalline cannabinoid structures, often accompanied by a terpene-rich liquid.
- Sauce: A terpene-rich concentrate that can contain cannabinoid crystals.
- Shatter: A glass-like extract that can break into brittle pieces.
- Live resin: An extract typically made from cannabis material frozen soon after harvest to preserve more of its original aromatic compounds.
These are not six different cannabis plants. They are different extract forms, and their cannabinoid and terpene content depends on the starting material and manufacturing process.
Concentrates can be highly potent. Their appearance alone does not tell you how much THC they contain, and products should be evaluated using their actual lab results.
The name Cosmic Concentrates promises a journey through the universe. The laboratory report, meanwhile, is trying to bring everybody back to Earth.
9. Cheeched and Chonged: two different cannabinoid approaches
The names Cheeched and Chonged appear in the brands’ product offerings, including gummies and other products. In the official Cheech & Chong Cannabis range, the two labels have different stated cannabinoid approaches. View the brand’s product descriptions .
Cheeched is marketed as the more invigorating, uplifting experience, with CBC and CBG included in its formula.
Chonged is marketed toward a more calming, nighttime-oriented experience, with CBD and CBN included.
What are those compounds?
- CBC (cannabichromene): A minor cannabinoid found in cannabis that is being investigated for its biological properties.
- CBG (cannabigerol): Another minor cannabinoid, sometimes called the precursor to other cannabinoids because of the role its acidic form plays in cannabinoid biosynthesis.
- CBD (cannabidiol): A cannabinoid that does not produce the characteristic intoxicating high associated with THC.
- CBN (cannabinol): A cannabinoid that can form as THC degrades over time.
The names sound like they were developed during a brainstorming session that involved snacks, laughter, and somebody saying, “What if we just put our names on everything?”
But there is a genuine formulation distinction here: different products can combine cannabinoids in different proportions to create different product profiles.
One important caveat: marketing descriptions such as “uplifting” and “calming” are not guarantees of how an individual will respond. The full formulation, dose, individual sensitivity, and other factors all matter.
10. Vapes: what’s in the cloud?
Cheech & Chong-associated brands also offer vape products, but this category requires particular care because not all vape formulations are the same.
Some products use cannabis extracts. Others are described as containing hemp-derived cannabinoid blends and strain-specific terpenes.
For example, the brand’s Ghost Hit product descriptions list blends containing EPN, CBD, CBG, CBC, and other minor cannabinoids, together with strain-specific terpenes. Read the Ghost Hit ingredient information .
That is different from assuming that every vape labelled with a familiar cannabis strain contains only the natural extract from that strain.
A vape may contain:
- A cannabinoid blend or cannabis extract.
- Terpenes used to create a particular aroma or flavour profile.
- Other formulation ingredients, depending on the specific product.
The exact ingredients and quantities should be checked on the product label and its laboratory documentation. The presence of a named cannabinoid does not, by itself, establish that a product is safe or that its effects are well understood.
And a word of caution: unfamiliar or poorly characterised cannabinoids deserve particular scrutiny. Do not assume that a product is harmless simply because it has a famous comedian’s name on the packaging.
Cheech and Chong have spent decades making us laugh about questionable decisions. That doesn’t mean your vape should become the next questionable decision.
So, what is the real answer to “What’s in dat shit?”
The answer depends on which Cheech & Chong product you’re talking about.
Product type What it generally contains Cannabis flower Dried cannabis flowers with naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes Pre-rolls Ground flower rolled in paper Infused pre-rolls Flower plus concentrate or other specified infusion ingredients Concentrates Cannabis extracts with concentrated cannabinoids and varying terpene content Gummies A formulated edible containing specified cannabinoids and other ingredients Vapes A cartridge or device containing a particular cannabinoid formulation and, in some products, terpenes
These categories are not interchangeable, and neither are all the products sold under the Cheech & Chong name. Product lines can differ by manufacturer, state, and regulatory market.
For that reason, the best way to determine what’s actually in a specific product is to check its ingredient list, cannabinoid content, batch number, and independent laboratory results.
The label is the modern version of asking the question in the movie.
Only now, the answer should be more sophisticated than “Mostly Labrador.”
The final word: from punchline to plant science
There’s something rather wonderful about the journey from Up in Smoke to a modern cannabis catalogue.
In the 1970s, Cheech and Chong helped make cannabis a subject that mainstream audiences could laugh about, question, and discuss. Their comedy played with the absurdity surrounding prohibition and the stereotypes attached to cannabis users.
Today, products associated with their names sit in a very different marketplace, one that includes genetics, terpene profiling, extraction technology, cannabinoid formulations, laboratory testing, and increasingly sophisticated branding.
That’s quite a transformation for two men whose fictional approach to quality assurance once involved a dog.
But perhaps the joke has come full circle.
The original question was “What’s in dat shit?” The modern answer involves understanding genetics, chemistry, potency, manufacturing, and testing.
The next time somebody asks you that question, you can give them a more informed answer.
Just don’t blame the Labrador.
Editorial note: Product formulations and availability vary by market. This article describes product categories and published brand information; it does not independently verify every formulation or make claims about medical benefits. Cannabis and cannabinoid laws also vary by jurisdiction.
