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Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 04:20:25 PM EST
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Tommy Chong is out of jail and interviewed by NPR. Chong is currently on tour appearing in the Marijuna-Logues. He also will be back on tv.

He currently has a recurring role on FOX TV's That '70s Show. The role comes after Chong spent nine months in prison; he pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell drug paraphernalia. ... Chong's arrest was part of the U.S. Justice Department's Operation Pipe Dreams investigation of Internet distribution of drug paraphernalia like bongs and marijuana pipes.

Chong reveals he pleaded guilty to protect his son whose company was targeted. We reported that here.

Here's some background on Operation Pipe Dreams. All of our coverage of Chong's case is accessible here.

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    Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed | 27 comments (27 topical)
    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 05:46:21 PM EST
    Another nonviolent, non-addictive plant user escapes from Cotton Mather. Happy Year of the Rooster, Tommy -- cockadoodledoo.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 07:58:04 PM EST
    Chong is just another victim of the Fourth Reich's so-called "War on Drugs". Marijuana use of itself has never killed anyone, as opposed to hard liquor which kills thousands of people each year. The government should decriminalize marijuana and free up tens of thousands of otherwise innocent people from our overcrowded jails. Hasn't the US government learned anything from prohibition?

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 08:46:56 PM EST
    Do any of you know what our government is doing with the boys, in the "WHINSES" Onces called SOA! with drugs being sold? This case is like many a government "set-up" oh yes the boys in the CIA And the guys in the mossad also are into "Paraphenalia"(LITTLE JOKE) or maybe bush will start calling the war on drugs as the war on drug extremists? thank god that chong is still alive.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#4)
    by Kitt on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 09:04:37 PM EST
    Dave's not here, man...

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 09:58:08 PM EST
    I loved it when he mentioned he did drugs with the Governator!

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 04:48:09 AM EST
    Fred, Could I get that with subtitles please?

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 05:15:18 AM EST
    Welcome back, Tommy!

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#8)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 06:11:42 AM EST
    A political prisoner is freed. The moral of the story, don't sell cylinder glass sculptures with two holes. Uncle Sam sees this as a great threat to our way of life. Uncle Sam is the one who must be on drugs.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 06:57:08 AM EST
    It wasn't as much what he sold; it was more of what the government thought he represented. The prosecuting attorney, Mary Houghton, accused Chong of growing rich by "glamorizing the illegal use and distribution of marijuana and trivializing law-enforcement efforts to combat drug use." (Italics mine.) That last part was the real reason for it all. Not 'public safety', not 'concern for the chil-drun', but payback for illusory insults. Chong's uber-stoner cum perennial loser character represented everything the neocon-driven 'Justice' Department thought was wrong with America. You have to ask how many man-hours and millions of dollars were used in apprehending Chong, while murderers, rapists, child molestors, etc. roam freely.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 07:37:19 AM EST
    Next thing you know, you won't be able to buy Schedule 40 PVC, copper tubing and brass fittings. Think about it...

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#11)
    by Jim Strain on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 08:44:09 AM EST
    This item really helps to provide some context for the story posted later (above) about disenchanted US citizens moving to Canada, which concluded that this country's, "loss of residents, many of whom cite a deep sense of political despair, is a significant event in the life of a nation that thinks of itself as a place to escape to."

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#12)
    by Che's Lounge on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 09:35:51 AM EST
    Nemo, that was hot! You nailed it.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 10:04:54 AM EST
    Chong, released early after acquiring special brownie points, said more needs to be done to stem the WOD policies of the DOJ and swears the evidence was planted ... at least at one time. After his release he intends to help disadvantaged youth attain the seeds of opportunity. He also vowed to keep a lid on his activities and lead a more norml lifestyle. Rumors are that Chong plans a special Valentines Day product called a Whitman Sampler, including excerpts from Leaves of Grass. You guys have been great, enjoy the Osmonds. Thank you, GOODNIGHT!

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 10:32:51 AM EST
    Ilove it Nemo, and the real ideas of our non government is to imprison as many for anything you can think of. its the thought that will put millions in prison, and that is one more bush plan. oh yes how long before our bush attacks canada for the ideals of freedom? "H" total corrupt, colonization as a tool of removing rights for all by using the poor, and selling jobs by the millions to help you understand you have no rights only the rights your government wants you to have, and real conspiracy of cutting all social ideals to help in this coming new ideals of one world under the third world ideals of people like bush and business. I would say to Chong, be good, big government(1984) is watching you. we are all criminals under "our great Bush" wait and see what happens in 2008 when OUR GREAT "Homeland sec,Is in full attack on the people, can i ask where is bin laden.?

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 11:51:00 AM EST
    Nemo.... perennial loser character represented everything the neocon-driven 'Justice' Department thought was wrong with America. Fred D.... we are all criminals under "our great Bush" Guys... we all know the criminal justice system sucks and needs improvement in many areas, however, this is not something GW has done. These 'drug' policies have been in place for decades,... yes even under Dem presidents... get a clue.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 12:13:12 PM EST
    BB, the 'clue' is that, as you noted, the laws had been on the books for years...but they were not used until now. Why? What about the nature of the 'Justice' department has changed (from it's position in the past that such an operation would be pointless) in order to consider this a worthy expenditure of taxpayer dollars? And on a personal note, do you think you got your money's worth? I submit that it is not about what has changed, but who. The philosophical basis of the NeoCons can be summed up in the words "I hate the 1960's". To them, it was a time of moral turpitude caused by those who derided 'law 'n order' and the established authorities. Anything that smacks of that, no matter how silly, is to be destroyed. Chong, in a very small way, to the minds of those who pursued him, represented just that. Never mind the fact that the NeoCons won the culture war in the US in 1980 and are at the pinnacle of power. Dissent of any sort cannot be tolerated. Hence this terrible waste of taxpayer dollars locking up a middle-aged man who never raised a hand against anybody, while plenty of people who should be in prison are loose.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#17)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:14:11 PM EST
    the 'clue' is that, as you noted, the laws had been on the books for years...but they were not used until now
    Maybe Asscroft feared bongs as much as he feared boobs.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#18)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 02:12:16 PM EST
    Memo... BB, the 'clue' is that, as you noted, the laws had been on the books for years...but they were not used until now. Not sure what cave you've been living in...but the so called 'war on drugs' has put many people in jail for many decades!!!! This is not a GW thing like the left makes every freakin thing in the universe out to be! You think Tommy Chong is the only poor SOB to get nailed on this? C'mon...you have to be smarter than that. I had friends go to jail in the 70's for possessing a couple of joints. Yes..the 70's!

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#19)
    by Che's Lounge on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 03:14:03 PM EST
    B.B., Come down for a sec and show ANY comment anywhere in which the left blames GWB for the drug war. He obviously perpetuates it, but your hatred makes you blind to what we all know.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#20)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 03:15:12 PM EST
    BB, if I wasn't clear, I apologize: I meant the paraphenalia laws that prompted the Feds used to run Chong down with. It was those laws which caused someone in the 'Justice' department to initiate the action against him. Laws that hadn't been used in years. Sorry to assume that you understood what laws I was referring to. However, as it was quite plain in all the articles that have ever been written about this incident, I figured I was safe in making that assumption. Did you click on any of the links that TL has graciously provided? It would have given all the necessary background available... But the main point remains: is the arrest and incarceration of Tommy Chong worth all the money (an estimated 12 million) and man-hours that were expended in doing so? Evidently people in the the 'Justice' department thought such an expenditure of our hard earned - and governmentally extorted - tax money was worth it, so we return to the main question of why did they believe so? I've already given my opinion on the matter; I'd like to hear yours.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#21)
    by pigwiggle on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 03:54:23 PM EST
    Focusing on paraphernalia laws, and further using it as a springboard for more partisan vitriol is shortsighted and lazy. Republicans and Democrats are equally tolerant of drugs, that is to say not at all. If you are interested in the scale and acceleration of the drug war look here. ۞

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#22)
    by jimcee on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 04:31:49 PM EST
    Welcome back to the real world Tommy C, don't ever think that a plea bargain is worth it. I hope you have fired your lawyer because this rap totally sucked, man. Drug laws in general and Marijuana laws in particular are just bad law and need to be re-thought. Okay gotta go, time to burn one. ;)

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#23)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 08:03:16 AM EST
    Very true gang, drug war hysteria is a bi-partisan affair. Clinton was one of the worst presidents when it came to drug war insanity, probably second worst ever after Reagan. The only way I can explain their (Dem & Repub) moronic stance on marijuana is they all hate freedom. There is no other logical explanation.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#24)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 08:07:42 AM EST
    Furthermore, one of the few bright spots in the current budget proposed by GDub is a cut in drug war spending. Now whether there is an actual cut or just fuzzy math is another question.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#25)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 08:43:54 AM EST
    KDog, the ugly fact is the budgets for many DrugWar programs have in fact been beefed up; the only exception has been that the Byrne grants funding Drug Task Forces have been literally cut to a tenth of the present level, so 'gypsy' lying, perjury committing cops like Coleman of Tulia infamy will have slim pickings. But all the rest have been folded in, as I had predicted on another forum, into the DHS budget. They're just too handy as multiple use programs to hide all kinds of nasty goings on under the rubric of (trumpet fanfare and drumroll) "Fight-iiiing Druuuuuuugs!"

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 11:24:10 AM EST
    Che... show ANY comment anywhere in which the left blames GWB for the drug war. Jesus Che...read the posts here for Christ's sake. Every single lefty on here is blaming GW for everything. Kdog re-posted...but they were not used until now Implying it's all on GW and nothing was done before he arrived. But I love this comment the most.... but your hatred makes you blind to what we all know. My hatred??? And who do I hate Che? Your hatred for GW knows no bounds and you accuse me of hate? LOL... You guys do provide me with a never ending stream of entertainment... I will say that. What you all know? hahaha That's a laugher too. All you know is GW is the root of all evil & is responsible for all the worlds ills.... Which proves you actually know nothing.

    Re: Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 01:52:11 PM EST
    I'd still like an answer to my question, anyone: Was the arrest and incarceration of Tommy Chong an effective means of 'fighting drugs'? And who in the 'Justice' Department thought so and why?

    Tommy Chong: Out of Jail and Interviewed | 27 comments (27 topical)