Comedian Tommy Chong Gets Nine Months on Paraphernalia Charges

Assoiciated Press ^ | Sept. 11, 2003 | Dan Nephin

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I feel so much safer now.

[corkoman]

The goose steppers are on the move.

[CollegeRepublican]

This sucks, I liked his Leo character on That 70s show.

I don't understand how the government can outlaw an object and the selling of that object if it has a legal use? He was not supplying the actual drugs. Just stupid, a waste of money.

[Mr. Jazzy]

Don't call them to ask for Dave.

He's not there.

[Frank_Discussion]

Leagal use being... what? Smoking tobacco with a bong? Yeah, that's what people use them for...

[GSWarrior]

Thank God that animal is off the streets.

[Frank_Discussion]

Don't get me wrong, I don't think he's an evil dude, but he did break the law. And I'm sure he knew that he was doing so. At least he's man enough to face up to the consequences.

[Trampled by Lambs]

I don't understand how this can happen when here in San Diego, at least, we still have quite a few headshops selling bongs, pipes and all manner of obvious drug paraphernalia. All with little signs that say, "Its not a Bong, its a Water Pipe" and that those who use the dreaded "B" word will be asked to leave.

Is selling this stuff illegal or not?

[Rain-maker]

Should of established business in Arizona.

All kinds of smoke shops with bongs and pipes here, it's legal biz.

[Blue Screen of Death]

I don't understand how the government can outlaw an object and the selling of that object if it has a legal use? He was not supplying the actual drugs. Just stupid, a waste of money.

There are those who wish to apply the same logic to guns.

[aruanan]

More Ashcroft idiocy.

[Cuttnhorse]

"Hey man, who cut your hair"?

[aruanan]

The goose steppers are on the move.

See post 8 above for an example of equating law with morality.

[moehoward]

Problem was selling it over the internet.

The laws prohibiting sale of paraphernalia differ greatly from state to state. And even city to city. Maybe he shipped to "dry" jurisdictions.

Thing is, the shops that sell this stuff get it from wholesalers. It moves over state lines in transit. How this differs to what Tommy did is unknown.

[CheezyD]

Another tremendous victory for the WoD!! Let's throw a few more billion dollars at this and we might be able to bust a couple of teenagers smoking a doob behind the 7-11!

[Frank_Discussion]

Thanks for pointing that out. I assume you are saying that the law is wrong? I'm not sure that I agree, because I am not a "if-it-feels-good-do-it" kind of person. The drug war has lots of contradictions to which I have no answers. But a lack of resolution doesn't mean that those laws in regards to drugs and drug paraphenalia can be ignored without consequence.

While it is something I wouldn't have done, I can see TChong's point of view and his actions. And, at the same time, I can respect him for basically saying, "Yeah, dude, I'm guilty. I'm takin' rap for it."

That was my point, okay?

[50sDad]

"Class! Class! CLASS!

[50sDad]

I have to notice that the other member of this semi-memorable team has grown up, gone on with his life, and is playing adult characters his own age. It's no longer 1972, folks.

[biblewonk]

Yup