As the brand grows and “The Marathon Continues”, Hussle’s team has announced an upcoming documentary. Highlights was invited to an advanced rooftop screening of their new store on Melrose.

The aptly named documentary, The Marathon (Culture), explores the life of Nipsey Hussle, the entrepreneur. We dig deeper into how Nipsey and his older brother Blacc Sam built a million dollar cannabis business from the ground up, and the challenges they faced during a time when selling weed was not as popular as today.

Guests made their way to an empty white building in a prime location near Melrose and La Brea. After people took photos on the red carpet, they were led down the stairs to an intimate rooftop with white chairs lined up in front of a screen.

True to entrepreneurial fashion, The Marathon Clothing has set up shop in a small store displaying the latest drops and iconic Crenshaw tees. Her platinum records hung behind the ledger and Puma shoes lined up neatly on the shelves around the room.

Delicious appetizers were served throughout the night and there were even two beautiful women lying in a hot tub to set the mood.

As people mingled, Nipsey’s presence was greatly missed. His dad greeted friends, Sam said hello to familiar faces, and All Money In rappers like J Stone came out to support the screening. Less than 100 people gathered for an exclusive preview of these never-before-seen images.

Puffs of smoke filled the air and lights went out signaling people to sit down. Sam then took the mic and shared a few words about what the movie would entail. “We’ve been in the marijuana business for a minute, illegally,” Sam said. “We’ve always had our eyes on a legitimate license and wanted to put something in place that explains the journey.”

From the start, Hussle was known for having the best of the best. To this day, Marathon OG maintains a steady reputation among stoners looking for an old-school LA flavor. Recognized by Highlights as one of The Cure Company’s finest strains, it has become a favorite among long-time smokers who appreciate a potent Indica.

The film begins where Nipsey Hussle’s journey began, on the corner of Crenshaw and Slauson. Images of him smoking at this commemorated intersection flash across the screen as his music lyrics narrate the clips. It was in this neighborhood that he started his career, selling shirts, CDs and, according to many, the best weed in town. Cameos from customers like Snoop Dogg give context to the power of this product.

Clips of Nipsey smoking and talking about their dream of opening a legal cannabis store look surreal as the audience sits atop this beautiful Hollywood rooftop. A stark contrast to the life they once knew in the mid-south, and a bittersweet moment, knowing that Nipsey can’t be there to savor the fruits of his labor.

We get an inside look at the first dispensary they opened, located down the street from the Marathon Store. This is where they first grew Marathon OG, a strain that Nipsey specially hand-selected because it was “pure OG”.

The highlight of the film was Nipsey giving a tour of the Marathon OG grow room. “It’s all Marathon OG,” Hussle says, opening the door to a brightly lit room, “there’s nothing else growing here but Marathon OG.” Hussle pinches a nugget and beckons the cameraman closer, you can almost smell the scent from the screen seeing the crystals on each bud.

As the documentary caught up to the present day, Sam expressed the lengths they would go to for the highest quality flower. “No matter the price, we just want to get what people want,” he said as he rummaged through bags of inventory. Photos of him traveling from Oakland in sprinter vans show just how far they had to go.

Audiences were inspired by Nipsey Hussle’s lyrics to the song “Perfect Ten”:

“That’s why I call my shit The Marathon (yeah)
‘Cause I, I won’t lie and portray, uh, that ultimate balance
As I was, had I understood
No, I just didn’t give up”

The song played in the background and the audience cheered. Nipsey’s dad took to the mic and shared a few words to express how hard Sam has worked to earn money for their family. “I don’t know how he [Sam] got into it, he doesn’t even smoke, but he looks at it and smells it and he knows better than people who smoke,” he said, causing the crowd to burst into laughter.

This documentary is just a slice of Nipsey Hussle’s legacy and is marked in time for the cannabis industry as laws continue to change across the country. Entrepreneurs in any business can take inspiration from Nipsey’s ability to adapt to their circumstances. His journey illustrates how difficult it is for people of color to break into the legal cannabis business, even if you’re an award-winning musician.

Today, The Marathon (Collective) in Canoga Park is a one-stop-shop for a variety of THC and CBD products. Their rewards program allows customers to save on future purchases for several different brands. However, their Marathon OG is a must try, but my favorite is the Uncle Sam OG.

The documentary officially drops on Friday, May 20. Keep an eye out for the official opening of The Marathon Store on Melrose and follow The Marathon Clothing for more news.