Alcohol industry watchdog The Marin Institute is accusing Long Beach, California emcee Snoop Dogg of endorsing drinking to minors. According to The Examiner, the institute has reached out to Democratic California State Senator Alex Padilla, to ban Blast by Colt 45, a drink that Snoop Dogg has done paid endorsements for. Senator Padilla’s bill (SB 39) codifies part of the federal ruling to ensure new products combining caffeine and alcohol are not sold in California. This bill has halted the sale of seven drinks in total, such as Four Loko and Joose.
Lee Livingston, Marin’s CEO and Executive Director, stated, “While the federal government was shutting down dangerous caffeinated alcohol, Pabst Brewing Company was cooking up ‘Blast,’ a super sweet, fruit-flavored, supersized alcopop containing as much alcohol as four and a half cans of beer.” Marin and Livingston also maintains that Snoop Dogg and other artists associated with these drinks are using their popularity to reach under-aged drinkers, after numerous college students between ages 17 and 19 reported injuries at institutions such as University of Washington, University of Rhode Island and Ramapo College.
Pabst Brewing is the parent company of Blast by Colt 45. Snoop Dogg has yet to speak publicly on the matter. Last month, Snoop reportedly bought into a flavored “blunt spray” and smoke eliminator company, Blunt Magic. Next week, Snoop Dogg is slated to release his 11th solo album, Doggumentary on Doggystyle/Priority/EMI Records.
HipHopDX will keep you updated.
