Hip-hop artist Future has made clear his intentions of joining the cannabis industry, filing six intent-to-use trademark applications in February.
Trademark attorney Clarissa Harvey revealed on Twitter that the artist’s legal team has filed the trademark applications for “EVOL BY FUTURE,” named after his fourth studio album Evol released in 2016, that would be used with cannabis consumption lounges, vape pens, medical cannabis products, and a website that would feature health information on medical cannabis. All applications were filed Feb. 17. None of the trademark applications filed have been approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
While not many details have emerged regarding the types of products that will be available under the EVOL brand, one of the applications filed is for “herbal tinctures for medical purposes; medicated oils; medicated oral sprays, namely, medicated oral sprays for pain relief; medicated creams and lotions, namely, medicated pain relief creams and lotions,” while another application would be for cannabis accessories as well as clothing, including hats and shirts.
Future joins the long list of rappers, among other celebrities from various entertainment industries, in joining the cannabis industry by using their name and likeness to launch and promote a cannabis brand. Rapper and known fan of cannabis Wiz Khalifa has launched his own brand of Khalifa Kush cannabis products and the brand has seen expansion throughout many states, including Maryland and Pennsylvania in all Trulieve locations in the states and across California.
“Trulieve is excited to expand our partnership with the iconic Wiz Khalifa as an exclusive partner to curate and promote his unique product line exclusively in his home state of Pennsylvania,” said Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve. “As an artist, he has such a strong vision of how he wants to express himself. Together, we’ve created a line of products that offer best-in-class medical marijuana to Pennsylvania patients and represent the passion and creativity for which Wiz Khalifa is known.”
Chicago rapper Vic Mensa also joined the cannabis industry and launched his own legal, equity-focused cannabis business, 93 Boyz. The product line features cannabis flower, prerolls and strain-specific vape cartridges. The company also partnered with aeroponic cannabis cultivator aeriz to ensure its products are made sustainably and environmentally friendly. Mensa also said the company will focus on reinvestment into communities and individuals who have been most impacted by “outdated laws, prejudices and assumptions regarding cannabis consumption.”
“At the core of the ethos of 93 Boyz is a socially minded spirit; portions of all of our proceeds go to giving back to the community. The first program we’re starting with is called Books Before Bars; sending a large number of books into Cook County Jail,” said Mensa. “As an industry, I believe the tax revenue generated from cannabis should be used as reparations to the communities most impacted by the war on drugs – like literal cash payment reparations, subsidized housing, education, everything.”
Wu-Tang Clan rapper Method Man also launched his own cannabis brand, TICAL, in Michigan and partnered with Glorious Cannabis Co. to release the brand’s “Sweet Island Skunk” preroll. The brand intentionally launched in five black-owned dispensaries in Detroit, Remedy, House of Zen, House of Mary Jane, West Coast Meds and Viola, which is a cannabis brand founded by former NBA player Al Harrington.
Future’s team has also filed for trademarks in other industries aside from the cannabis industry. The rapper also filed a trademark last year for Sinsational, his foray into the fragrance industry and play on both the words “sin” and “sensational” as well as the viral meme of the rapper saying the word “sensational” when describing a piece of cheesecake.
