DOPE AS USUAL Podcast – "The Christmas Giveaway Episode!"

Hosts: Thomas "Dope as Yola" Araujo & Marty O'Neill
Release Date: December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special Christmas episode, Thomas and Marty celebrate the holidays with their trademark humor, authenticity, and generosity—rolling out multiple giveaways for their loyal listeners across all platforms. The episode is rich with hilarious personal stories, cannabis news, reflections on independent content creation, and heartfelt fan appreciation. Highlights include a deep-dive into the recent U.S. federal cannabis rescheduling, legendary stoner tales, the reveal of a significant trading card windfall, exclusive merch launches, and step-by-step guides for fans to enter the epic Christmas giveaway.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christmas Vibes & Weather in L.A.

• The hosts kick things off, joking about Los Angeles’ lack of traditional Christmas spirit:

  “Merry Christmas. Even though it’s 81 degrees outside, there’s only one Christmas tree in all of LA. That’s... nobody cares this year.” (01:00)

• Thomas sets a cozy scene for his Christmas: watching classic movies ("A Christmas Story", "Home Alone"), smoking joints, and chilling out.

2. Federal Cannabis Rescheduling News

Context & Analysis

• Breaking News: The U.S. President reschedules marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.

  “Yesterday [weed] was classified as Schedule 1... Now it’s scheduled as... class 3. Rescheduled to class 3, reclassified, whatever you want to call it... same exact category as Tylenol with codeine.” (01:20)

• Implications:

  • It's now considered to have medicinal properties at the federal level.
  • State laws still reign supreme; it's not full legalization.
  • Thomas voices concern over "Big Pharma" entering the weed space:

    “All this did was open the floodgates for the president’s rich homies... They’re going to sell you some weed that makes you sick and then sell you a pill that makes you healthy and keep you in a cycle.” (06:30)

• Advocacy: Support local, independent cannabis businesses—avoid corporate (Marlboro, Big Pharma) weed products.

• Thomas’ Self-Awareness:

  “I get high as f*** and have fun. Happened to be the most popular one about it doesn't mean I started off by being Bill Nye the science guy. I don't know stuff... I am not a scientist. I'm not a grower.” (08:45)

Notable Quotes

• “You know where you're at? Do you know who I am? I am not a scientist... I'll roll the papers up. I don't know what's written on the papers.” (09:54)
• “If it's legal, sick. That's why these laws don't really matter to me. Until it's like, wait, everybody can get high now legally? What a day for the world.” (10:45)

3. Storytime: Card Collecting Pays Off

• Thomas tells of his lifelong passion for football cards, beginning as a kid collecting and grading, including his prized Tom Brady rookie card:

  “All I cared about as a kid was football cards... My grandpa gave me his collection of Packer cards... All I did since then was work... to get cards.” (14:10)

• During the pandemic, he rediscovers the sealed Tom Brady rookie, now potentially worth $100k+:

  “If I have a grade nine or 10, I'm looking at like a hundred and twenty thousand dollars for a card. I will sell it.” (20:40)

• Comic moment: At a party, a card dealer excitedly offers $110—but only has $110, not $110,000. (22:02-22:32)

• Moral: “Everybody at that lunch table that ever made fun of me. Eat a dick.” (24:07)

4. Stand-Up Dates & New Gig Announcements

• Thomas is booked at Jimmy Kimmel Theater (Las Vegas, Dec 29), American Comedy Company (San Diego).

  “...super sick. I'm excited, guys.” (25:40)

5. Cannabis Culture: Hash Hole Competition & Proper Papers

• The "National Hash Hole Day" contest is spotlighted, and Thomas celebrates the Proper Papers brand's winning moment:

  “...rolled by legs... used proper papers. I used your papers and won the entire competition...” (27:06)

• Thomas discusses the launch strategy and commitment to making the best smoking papers.

6. Independence, Sponsorships, and the "Sellout" Narrative

• The hosts address criticisms for featuring gambling sponsors (MyBookie), reaffirming their fully independent status:

  “There’s no company that owns this show or no middleman... It's literally a two man operation. It couldn't possibly be more independent.” — Marty (30:45)

7. The Christmas Multi-Platform Giveaway

Giveaway Structures (33:00–54:00 approx.)

• Twitter: Comment favorite episode on a specific post for a chance at $500+ Puffco gear.
• Unrestricted: Exclusive Ethika collab boxers and a variety pack of Ethika gear for subscribed fans.
• Instagram: Tag a friend for a $250 box of Proper Papers display boxes.
• YouTube: Comment favorite guest of the year + email for a $250 Push Trees gift card.

“Why are we doing this? Because you guys are awesome and without the fans and you guys, we would not have a show.” (34:10)

• Security warning about scams: Only respond to official email (dopeasyola545@gmail.com). (53:13)

Notable Quotes

• “No hot knife, no life. That should—you need that.” — Marty, on the Puffco giveaway (34:08)
• “If you don't gamble, yo, here's a discount code.” — Thomas, on sponsor pushback (30:07)

8. Ethika x Dope As Usual Boxer Collab Announcement

• Long-awaited collab drops January 10th, 2026 via Ethika and Zoomies.

  “First time in Ethika history they did a collab and did not change the art... This is the exact pattern, guys.” (39:07)

• The packaging and design are described with the hosts' usual hilarity, pointing out the planned “dick placement” graphics detail (40:00–41:00).

9. Legendary Stoner Stories

- Tommy Chong Story (59:00–68:30)

• Thomas recounts filming with legendary stoner Tommy Chong, the hilarious mishaps, and awkward moments:

  “He gets in his Tesla and just reverses right off the curb drop. He knew the curb was there. The guy didn’t give a f***. And then it self drove his ass home.” (66:55)

• Video footage referenced but not shown in the podcast.

- Problematic Weed Customers / Thanksgiving Twist

• Story about the worst “splitter” customer, “Michael,” who reappears 15 years later at a family Thanksgiving as a relative's sibling.

  “I don't sell weed anymore if that's what you're gonna ask me right now, because there's no way you're taking my grandma's baggies.” (81:45)

• Expanded to a discussion of the weird etiquette of asking for snacks/food at friends’ houses growing up. Leads to a comedic riff on poverty, generosity, and adolescent awkwardness (86:00–88:00).

10. Reflections on Comedy, LA, and Gang Culture

• Thomas humorously riffs on LA gangster culture and their love of geography:

  “You know where I'm from? 57th Street, 405. Like, damn, this one loves longitudes.” (89:45)

• Playful take on the absurdity of gang loyalty to a block that most don't even own.

11. Year-End Reflections & Community Appreciation

• The hosts express deep gratitude toward listeners, recapping a year of growth, wild guests, fan support, and major podcast milestones.

  “This was an amazing year... you guys are the reason we're able to keep it going.” — Marty (92:55)

• Announcement: February 8th marks the podcast’s five-year anniversary (93:23).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Thomas, on weed rescheduling:

  “If it's legal, sick. That's why these laws don't really matter to me. Until it's like, wait, everybody can get high now legally? What a day for the world.” (10:45)

• On card collecting:

  “All you little pieces of shit calling me a nerd at Tenaya Middle School... Nerd with cards. They're not worth... They will be. That's all I said. They will be.” (20:30)

• On sponsorships:

  “You could say the same thing about Miller Lite. You could say the same thing about Ouija.” — Marty, about vices. (30:07)

• Christmas spirit:

  “Thank you guys for also being childish and laughing at stuff with us... it wouldn't work [without you]. So thank you guys for being cool and being.” (34:46)

• On independence:

  “It's literally a two man operation. It couldn't possibly be more independent. If we didn't get sponsors, there wouldn't be a show.” — Marty (30:45)

Timestamps: Key Segments

• 01:46 – Political context and cannabis rescheduling explained for dummies
• 09:54 – Thomas addresses the "weed guy knowledge" expectation
• 14:10 – Football card collecting story (Tom Brady rookie reveal)
• 22:02 – The party story and accidental $110 offer on a $110k card
• 25:19 – Upcoming stand-up gigs
• 27:06 – Proper Papers win National Hash Hole Day
• 33:00 – Introduction of the Christmas mega-giveaway (with step-by-step instructions)
• 38:07 – Ethika x Dope As Usual underwear collab reveal
• 59:00 – Tommy Chong story: awkward videographer & Tesla curb moment
• 70:47 – Weed dealing tales & “Worst customer reappearance at Thanksgiving”
• 81:45 – The Thanksgiving twist: former annoying customer now a relative
• 93:23 – Five year podcast anniversary announcement
• 94:44 – Closing appreciation and sign-off

Tone & Vibe

The episode radiates the show’s signature “real stoner conversation” energy—irreverent, high-spirited, and unfiltered, with a relentless mix of laughs, pop culture references, and social commentary. Both hosts contribute personal anecdotes, self-deprecating humor, nostalgic detours, and sincere gratitude. Thomas, especially, balances his “just a regular guy” weed advocate persona with sharp observations on cannabis policy and the commodification of weed culture.

Final Thoughts

This "Christmas Giveaway" episode encapsulates what Dope As Usual is all about: honest storytelling, relatable humor, authenticity in the cannabis conversation, and a deep appreciation for their growing community. Whether it’s a new federal pot policy or a Tom Brady rookie card turning into a windfall, the hosts keep it “dope as usual”—fun, generous, and a little bit chaotic.

To Enter the Giveaway:

• Twitter: Comment favorite episode on the specified post
• Instagram: Tag a friend on the giveaway post
• Unrestricted: Post favorite episode in the forum thread
• YouTube: Comment favorite guest of the year & email on this episode

Winners announced on Christmas Day.
“Have a dope ass day!”