Topix Underground

Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong built an entertainment and cultural empire, famously becoming the original stoner comedy icons. Their legendary run includes Grammy-winning comedy records and the 1978 box-office smash Up in Smoke, which paved the way for a massive, multi-decade brand spanning film, television, and the legal cannabis industry.


 Starting in 1971, the duo released a succession of best-selling albums. Their 1973 record Los Cochinos hit #2 on the Billboard charts and won the 1974 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording.

The "Up in Smoke" Phenomenon: Their feature film debut, Up in Smoke (1978), was a monumental financial success. Produced on a modest budget of just \(\$2\) million, it went on to gross over \(\$104\) million worldwide, sparking a highly profitable run of sequels.

Cannabis & Lifestyle Brand: Translating their cultural legacy into modern business, the duo capitalized on the wave of marijuana legalization. Today, their combined revenue from cannabis, hemp, and THC-infused beverages approaches nearly \(\$100\) million.