Exclusive: Tommy Chong Interview at Treasure Island

Bill Shehan, Publisher of Vegas Cannabis Magazine, sat down with Tommy Chong for an exclusive interview before a Cheech and Chong comedy show at Treasure Island here in Vegas.

Late last month, right before laughing my ass off at the Cheech and Chong Comedy Show, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Tommy Chong in his room at Treasure Island.  We had the chance to chat about everything from cannabis to politics and here is what he had to say:  

Bill Shehan:  How are you and how is your health?

Tommy Chong:  Good, so far.  I am off all the cancer meds.  I got a clean bill of health from my doctor and I go in on the 27th for a CAT scan to see if there is anything still lurking around.  Energy is a bit low but other than that, I feel really good.  Our tour is winding down and I was just thinking about what I want to do.  I like growing so I think I might start growing again. As a medical marijuana patient, under California law I am licensed to grow 12 plants.  

BS:  We feature new dispensary products in the magazine each month.  Will the readers get to see Chong’s Choice in the feature at some point?

TC:  We have a team in Nevada that is looking for licensed cultivators to grow Chong’s Choice.  Hopefully recreational passes this year and we can go full force.

BS:  It’s great to see you emerging into the medical marijuana market with your chosen strains.  In your opinion, how does medical marijuana differ from recreational marijuana?

TC:  I believe that all marijuana is medical.  I think the most important thing that marijuana does is it affects the brain.  We have receptors in our brain as you well know and when you ingest marijuana, I believe that it essentially gives you a reboot. When you smoke marijuana, you are in the moment and you are happy.  You forget about any worries of the past or the future. 

BS:  How much marijuana do you smoke on a daily basis?

TC:  Not much.  I only smoke maybe a nug a day.

BS:  How does the amount you smoke today differ from the amount you smoked back in the days of Cheech and Chong?  

TC:  We have never been big smokers, neither Cheech nor I.  We were too creative, and we had a lot to do.  We are actors and to be honest, I am the type of person that can reference a thought or a smell and get high.  Marijuana at the time we were making movies was not that readily available and I do prefer to be coherent when I am working.

BS: YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST.  Tommy Chong doesn’t smoke that much marijuana!

BS:  Out of all the presidents, who was your favorite to smoke with?

TC:  Well, I never actually smoked with any of them.  I do believe that Clinton never inhaled …because when I met him, he had no idea who I was.  Now, Cheech on the other hand, met Obama and he knew right away who Cheech was.  So that should tell you something.

BS:  Tonight you are performing your comedy show here at Treasure Island.  Is Cheech performing with you?  

TC:  Oh yes, the comedy show features me and Cheech and my wife Shelby who opens for us.  It is a full on comedy show.  We are on our 8th farewell tour.  I wish I could say farewell and retire but there is nothing for me to retire from.

BS:  Anytime I meet someone that is over the age of 60. I ask them if they intend to retire “Tommy Chong style.” How does it feel to be a pot icon?

TC:  It feels really good.

BS:  What are your favorite Chong’s Choice strains?

TC:  White Widow, BC Buds and of course anything Hawaiian.  Just the thought of anything Hawaiian gets me high!  I appreciate the good cannabis that people have spent years perfecting but I also enjoy the cheap stuff.  I guess you could say I like it all.

BS:  Let’s talk politics for a second.  I know that you support Bernie Sanders.  How do you feel the presidential race is going so far?

TC:  It’s going great. I support Bernie and I love his approach.  He is all about being humane and loving to each other.  But, I really love what Trump is doing.  He is doing a great job of exposing the republicans for what they really are.  He is a true republican: he is hypocritical and two-faced, he’s a liar, a cheat, and a thief and the more he speaks, the more his real character shows.  

BS:  Lastly, besides the Cheech and Chong Comedy Show, what other projects are you currently working on?

TC:  I am currently working on an art project that will be unveiled in the near future.  I will keep the Vegas Cannabis readers posted and we will likely do an art show here in Las Vegas at some point.

Tommy Chong gives an interview with Bill Shehan of Vegas Cannabis Magazine