Posted: Oct 2, 2025 / 10:21 PM EDT

Updated: Oct 2, 2025 / 10:21 PM EDT

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — There may be no duo more known for their association with marijuana than the comedy duo of Richard Marin and Tommy Chong, known as Cheech and Chong.

That’s why Riviera Creek — the Youngstown company that grows marijuana and processes its products — signed Cheech and Chong to a contract and put their name on marijuana now being sold throughout Ohio.

Riviera Creek Chairman Brian Kessler could think of no better partners for his marijuana business than Cheech and Chong.

“Cheech and Chong, and quite frankly, as far as I’m concerned, High Times are the two names that have been in our industry from the beginning,” Kessler said.

Kessler even interviewed the duo, as he was growing and processing marijuana under the Cheech and Chong label, now being sold throughout the state.

“We will continue to make the quality Riviera Creek premium brand, but we now have an everyday brand that is our Cheech and Chong line,” Kessler said.

“I think we’re making almost 20 different processed goods today from none five years ago,” Kessler said.

Riviera Creek also has a new kitchen, where they process those 20 products.

The company is located on Crescent Street in a light industrial neighborhood on Youngstown’s northside. 100 people work there now. The newest product made in the kitchen is freeze-dried caramels.

“We’re the first people introducing freeze-dried products into the state of Ohio for Cannabis,” Kessler said. “Now, pre-rolls are available.”

Pre-rolled joints started being sold in Ohio a month ago, and Riviera Creek already has its first pre-rolled product in dispensaries.

“We’re going to have three or four other additions over the next six months that pre-rolls into a whole new area that no one’s ever been to before,” Kessler said.

Riviera Creek has also introduced merchandise, which includes hats, jackets, shirts and hoodies.

“Our hoodie has Riviera Creek all the way across the back,” Kessler said.

One day, perhaps Cheech and Chong will be wearing that merchandise.

“Gets an opportunity for people to share the Cheech and Chong background, the experience, that lifestyle,” Kessler said.

Riviera Creek will unveil its new products with what Kessler calls an Apple-like media event at 2 p.m. on Saturday during the Ohio Cannabis Health and Business Summit at the IX Center in Cleveland. The Summit is a two-day event, beginning Friday.