Marshawn Lynch’s Dodi Blunts: A Cannabis Brand With a Justice Mission
Marshawn Lynch’s evolution from NFL powerhouse to cannabis entrepreneur makes sense when viewed through the lens of his Oakland upbringing, his fearless athletic identity, and a long-standing commitment to community. Born in Oakland in 1986, Lynch developed into a standout athlete at Oakland Tech High School before dominating at the University of California, Berkeley. His rare blend of toughness, agility, and relentless drive made him the 12th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, beginning a career defined by highlight-reel moments and a cultural impact few running backs ever achieve.
Lynch’s early seasons with the Buffalo Bills hinted at his potential, but it was his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks that turned him into a household name. He authored one of the most iconic plays in NFL history—the “Beast Quake”—a run so explosive during a 2010 playoff game that it caused measurable seismic activity in Seattle. That moment became symbolic of Lynch’s entire persona: powerful, unfiltered, and impossible to ignore. He went on to win Super Bowl XLVIII, earn multiple Pro Bowl selections, and lead the league in rushing touchdowns twice. After stepping away from the game, he returned to play for his hometown Oakland Raiders and made a brief comeback with Seattle again before retiring for good. Off the field, he expanded his influence through ownership stakes in sports teams, the Beast Mode apparel brand, media work, and philanthropic initiatives centered on youth development.
That same boldness and authenticity led Lynch into the cannabis space with the 2021 launch of Dodi Blunts, a brand he owns and developed in partnership with 2nd and Goal Ventures. The name “Dodi” comes from Bay Area slang used to describe high-quality cannabis—a word Lynch grew up hearing among family and friends. Coverage from Forbes, Black Enterprise, and Ganjapreneur highlighted that Lynch’s entry into the industry was not a superficial celebrity endorsement; instead, he aimed to build a product that represented Oakland’s culture and delivered genuine craft quality.
The brand debuted with a palm-leaf-wrapped, THCa diamond–infused blunt designed to stand out from mass-market pre-rolls. Everything about Dodi’s visual identity—its black-and-gold palette, its typography, and its tone—reflects Lynch’s Oakland roots. Creative partners such as I’ve Got Dreams crafted branding intended to highlight the city’s influence rather than dilute it.
Equally central to Dodi Blunts is its focus on social justice. Lynch partnered with the Last Prisoner Project (LPP) to support individuals affected by cannabis criminalization. The partnership launched a paid, 90-day apprenticeship program providing justice-impacted individuals with training and pathways into the legal cannabis workforce. Lynch has spoken openly about the need to correct the long-standing harms the War on Drugs inflicted on communities of color—communities like the one he grew up in.
Over time, Dodi has expanded into a larger platform under the Dodi Supply banner, offering flower strains, apparel, and collaborations that extend beyond the Bay Area. A major breakthrough came with a partnership with Los Angeles brand Originals, which helped launch “Dodi National,” expanding product distribution and introducing new strains tailored to a wider audience.
In many ways, Dodi Blunts is the most personal of Lynch’s ventures. It blends his hometown culture, his on-field persona, and his commitment to equity, creating a cannabis brand that mirrors the authenticity and impact that defined his NFL career.
Read about other NFL veterans who got into the cannabis industry here.