Modified On May 9, 2005
An msnbc.com article on Tommy Chong explores the bind Chong found himself in as people in the audience of “The Marijuana-Logues” persisted in lighting joints during the show.
On parole now, he tells NEWSWEEK that he can’t do “The Marijuana-Logues” legally until he gets off probation. Still, even after his probation expires, he says, “I don’t feel comfortable because I’m trying to get my record expunged. I’d still be thumbing my nose at the government [that] just finished putting me in jail.”
A.C. Lichtenstein, one of the producers of the play, says he was happy to let Chong meet the terms of his parole, but once those terms expire in July, Chong should honor his contract to do 36 shows on the road. “This is nothing more than an excuse by Mr. Chong to get out of his contractual obligations.”
(Chong got popped in a law enforcement effort that went after businesses that sell drug paraphernalia over the Internet. Chong was a principal investor in his son’s business, which sold blown-glass bongs. Plans are in the works for a new film with Chong’s old partner Cheech Marin (Thanks to reader Stuart McCallister for the hot tip!)