Josh Parsons

Music Editor

When you think of Tommy Chong, the first thing that strikes your mind is an image of the paradigmatic stoner, halo of smoke and all. While there are obvious reasons for that, few know Tommy Chong as himself, an intensely political and wildly intelligent person.

His career spans six decades, beginning in the music industry as a member of a chart-topping pop group and culminating in worldwide fame as one half of the infamous comedy duo, Cheech & Chong. However, Chong is perhaps most recognized in the 21st century for his high profile jail term and following public activism.

In 2003, Chong’s son was targeted by the federal program Operation Pipe Dreams and busted for selling drug paraphernalia. Tommy owned the company and took the responsibility for the charge. “It wasn’t at all a drug bust. It was a bong bust. I had the drug thing totally taken care of; I had my medical card, my license. When they told me it was for bongs I was fucked. Guilty,” he laughed.

Still, the feds insisted on searching his house from top to bottom. “They gave me that old routine though, you know: ‘tell us where it is and we’ll be outta here faster. I was like, ‘every room in the house.’” Chong was arrested and subsequently sentenced to 9 months in prison and a given a fine of $20,000.

“They had a chance to take a stoner like me down—I’m a right-wing wet dream. While I’m walking around touting the joys of pot-smoking, these guys are looking to put black and brown people in jail for life for just having possession of a joint.” Ironically, Chong seems to have enjoyed doing time.

“Jail was pretty good,” he laughed candidly. “I treated jail like a religious retreat, you know. There were the Catholics and the Protestants and a Jewish synagogue too. I eventually ended up with the First Nations folks at the sweat lodge ceremonies.” The experience was so positive that Chong was inspired to document it in a book, The I Chong: Meditations from the Joint.

“I used to pretend that the guards were my waiters when I was sunbathing,” he continued to recount. “I’d say ‘hey man, can you get me a sandwich and a glass of water,’ and they would. When you’re sixty five years old you’re age-exempt from everything in jail. I would just sit around and read a book all day.”

Following his release from jail, Chong found himself in the public spotlight once again. Soon enough, he was tossing around the idea of a reunion with his comedic other-half, Cheech Marin. It was quickly made official and the infamous duo took their seasoned act on tour.

“It was weird getting back on stage with Cheech again after all these years. I told him we both looked like fifth-place finishers in a Cheech and Chong lookalike contest,” Chong admitted.

Cheech & Chong will be hitting the road again this spring, passing through Hamilton on April 19– one day short of 420. “We have a little bit of new stuff and a lot of old stuff. Cheech and I, we have over 100 characters, so when we do the live show, anything can happen,” he promises.

He seemed particularly enthused to stop in our wonderful city, which apparently has accumulated quite the reputation over the years. “Hamilton is a crazy place. We love Hamilton. I’m not sure if they still do this, but they had this great thing where they would throw cans up on the stage while we performed.”

Be sure to catch the legendary Cheech & Chong before these aging comics go up in smoke themselves.