Contributor: KC SCANNEL
Nowadays, it feels like society is awash with celebrities and former athletes who are synonymous with marijuana. However, I argue that it’s purely based on the industry being a “trending topic” amongst our country’s youth. And, as irritating as that phrase might be to hear for you, elder enthusiasts, out there, the fact of the matter remains.
Cannabis is just “hot” right now.
And justifiably so. With more and more states turning over their lengthy ban on cannabis, people from all over the country are finally able to legally enjoy some government-sanctioned bud, without the fear of legal punishment or criminal ramifications. Which, to be fair, is how it always should’ve been. But not so long ago, cannabis was vehemently prohibited by the average citizen.
Tommy Chong Proves Why He’s A Legend In The Cannabis Community
They, with the help of the federal government’s misguided propaganda against marijuana, would ridicule and judge those of us who chose to utilize the calm, healing powers of this tremendous plant.
They labeled us “lazy” and “unmotivated,” but the exact opposite was true.
We were, and continue to be, some of the most patient, brilliant, innovative minds this country has ever seen. However, everyone’s relationship with marijuana had to be kept behind lock and key, for fear of public judgement, or worse, imprisonment.
In those days, as I’m sure you can imagine, it was basically too risky to even talk about cannabis with your friends in a public setting. Apart from whispers shared during sneaky smoke sessions, there was no public figure for us, potheads, to adhere to. Mostly because it was far too dangerous to even speak the hallowed name of “Mary Jane” around non-smokers.
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But, one day, a comedy duo arose from the joint ashes like a baked phoenix, and quickly became the hilarious mouthpiece for the cannabis community. If you don’t know who I’m talking about right now, I am, of course, referencing the household hemp-head duo of, Cheech & Chong.
To say these guys were pioneers in the field of bringing marijuana to the forefront of society, would be a dramatic understatement.
These dudes were damn near heroes for all the risks they took. Sure, their movies and comedy acts were farcical and goofy at times, but what comedy act isn’t? I mean, they are trying to make us laugh at the end of the day. You don’t have to be super stoic and serious to get your point across. For them, it was all about being relatable.
They, much like we all know now in this world of marijuana embracement, just how common the partaking of this plant truly is. Almost every single person you know has a specific relationship with marijuana, but they just weren’t able to talk about it openly during those prohibition times. So, they found solace in the relatable humor of Cheech & Chong’s work.
In no time at all, Cheech & Chong etched their own busts into the Mount Kushmore of Cannabis Comedy, and they’ve maintained that level of THC stardom for 50 strong years.
Currently, Chong is over 80 years of age, but the dude doesn’t look a day over 55!
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He attributes most of his youthful looks to his continued cannabis use. But that’s not the only thing he has to say on the matter of marijuana. And, anyone who knows Tommy, knows he’s an honest, open-book-type of person. So, once he starts talking about bud, it’s hard to get him to stop. But, at the end of the day, who would want that? It’s like listening to Babe Ruth talk about baseball – it’s amazing!
During a recent interview, Tommy was asked a multitude of questions surrounding his thoughts on legalized marijuana, and if he ever thought, in his wildest dreams, that he’d live to see the day where bud is publicly embraced, like it is now.
To this, Chong replied, “Oh yeah, I saw it coming. In fact, I kind of planned the whole thing out. Well, maybe I was a little premature with that bong thing. But other than that, I was pretty much right on point.”
He, of course, is referencing his previous arrest for intending to sell custom bongs over the internet, years before legalization was on the table. But, even then, he maintained his positive, upbeat look on life, and came out of the whole thing with the very same optimism that he went in with.
Tommy currently works alongside his son, Paris, at their marijuana company, Chong’s Choice. When asked about how he feels about working with his father in the cannabis industry, Paris remarked, “Tommy likes to say he tests every single batch. Which, obviously, he does. And he really enjoys it.”
That’s when his cannabis-celeb father jumped in with an example of just such an analysis. Saying, “For this one, make sure that whatever you have to eat around the house is healthy because you’ll find yourself munching away like crazy.”
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Classic Chong charm, if you ask me.
Diving a little deeper into Tommy’s early days with marijuana, he spoke about his younger years as a cannabis enthusiast. Specifically, the legendary comedian/actor said, “When I was 17, a jazz musician gave me a Lenny Bruce record and a joint at the same time, and it changed mylife. I quit school I think a week later, and went on the road, and became a blues musician, and eventually, a comedian, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Wow. Isn’t it crazy to learn the origin story of legend like that?
Had it not been for fortunate timing, and a generous jazz musician, who knows if the world would’ve ever even seen the likes of Cheech & Chong. Yikes. I shudder at the very thought of a world without that stoner duo in it.
Speaking of, if you’re wondering how Cheech & Chong are doing as an act, I’m happy to report that they are currently the best of friends. However, the waters between these two used to be quite rocky, to say the least.
Following a public break-up due to creative differences, the two hardly spoke to each other for a number of years. Every now and then, one of them would attempt to repair their friendship, and get the act back together, but all of those efforts came up fruitless, as egos and name-calling would often end their brief back-and-forths.
But, one day, Tommy’s son, Paris, found an email from Cheech reaching out, like he had so many times before. It was basically asking if they could bury the hatchet. And, without even informing his father of this message, Paris quickly replied, “Yes” and that was that.
The two eventually met up, thanks to the intervening ways of Tommy’s son, and they’ve never been closer.
Speaking on his involvement in their reuniting, Paris said, “…I told my dad, and they were really happy. Sometimes, you’ve just got to get out of your own way.”
His father, Tommy, then chimed in, saying, “There’s a bond now that will always be there no matter what happens.” And then, before the interviewer could even conjure up the energy to ask what everyone is wondering, Tommy jumped in, and said, “Yeah. We still toke up.”
Yes!
I’m sorry, but the thought of an elder Cheech & Chong still ripping joints and cracking jokes makes my stoner heart skip a beat, and I don’t think I’m alone in saying that.
