Tommy Chong in Jail

international | miscellaneous | press release

Saturday September 13, 2003 07:40

by Sean Dunne

Tommy Chong, of Cheech and Chong fame, was recently imprisoned in the United States for selling glass pipes on the internet. Here's a letter from NORML, an organisation which seeks to decriminalize cannabis.

Dear NORML Supporter:

As you have probably heard by now, on September 11, 2003 cultural icon
Tommy Chong was sentenced to nine months in federal prison for his role in
selling marijuana pipes on the Internet through his legally licensed
company Tommy Chong Glass. Tommy Chong is the first person to be
prosecuted under John Ashcroft's "Operation Pipe Dreams" and "Operation
Headhunter," which shut down national glass distributors nationwide,
resulting in the indictment of over 55 people.

Tommy Chong, one half o f the Cheech & Chong comedy troupe that practically
invented marijuana comedy, has been a celebrity among marijuana smokers
and non-smokers alike since the 1970's. Recently, he has had a recurring
role on 'That 70's Show' and was planning on a long awaited Cheech and
Chong reunion movie with Cheech Marin. Tommy Chong was obviously targeted
by the federal government because of his status as a cult figure among
marijuana smokers.

Ironically, Tommy Chong was sentenced on September 11, 2003, exactly two
years after the worst terrorist attacks in American history. With Osama
Bin Laden still on the loose and President Bush admitting that the war on
terrorism is far from over, it is preposterous that we would waste
valuable law enforcement resources locking up a comedian for selling glass
pipes. Can anyone in America honestly say they feel safer today because
Tommy Chong, a comedian and actor, has been sentenced to 9 months in
federal prison for selling pipes on the internet? Of course not. These
laws do nothing except make criminals out of otherwise law abiding
businessmen.

The federal raids on paraphernalia distributors has been an utter waste of
time and money, while it has ruined the lives and careers of otherwise law
abiding citizens. These businesses pay taxes and do not in any way
contribute to the crime problem in America. To target them at this time
shows a total lack of understanding as to which risks truly threaten the
health, welfare and safety of America's citizens.

Please take two minutes to write your members of Congress and tell them to
stop funding Operation Pipe Dreams and Op eration Headhunter, and to
immediately release Tommy Chong, by visiting:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=3406006

Thanks for your support.

Regards,

Kris Krane
Associate Director
NORML