Recording artist Snoop Dogg, a long-time outspoken supporter of cannabis, has begun investing in the industry.

Snoop Dogg told the Tech Crunch conference in the US this week that he has been building a website called MerryJane.com.

He played a promotional video for delegates that described the industry as the fastest growing space in the United States, after it the drug was legalised in a number of states.

Snoop Dogg estimates that the industry will be worth $11 billion annually by 2019.

The rapper said he wanted to make the name Merry Jane synonymous with cannabis in the same way that Vogue has become shorthand for fashion and Rolling Stone stands for music.

Culture, news, food and style products will all be showcased on the website.

Hollywood entertainer Seth Rogen will be involved in providing content for the site, and pop star Miley Cyrus is also "part of the support group for brand Merry Jane".

Crucially, it will bring together consumers and businesses.

New reality

The entertainer said: "Merry Jane represents the new reality of cannabis as part of our daily lives".

Snoop Dogg says he moved into the cannabis industry because he has learned to commit to business projects based on things he likes.

And because of recent changes, including moves to legalise the drug, his team had identified a niche in the market.

Asked why he likes cannabis so much, Snoop Dogg said: "I enjoy it for medical reasons... it's a peace situation with me. Everytime that I've always been around it I've seen people manifest peace, love, happiness and harmony. I've always been an advocate but now I can see that it is more of a business."

"We'll be like the encylopedia to the cannabis world" he promised.