[Update] Word has it that perhaps Mr. Chong just wants to wiggle out of his contract and that perhaps it isn't a matter of him being gun shy with the DOJ. And in that case, let the chips fall where they may. It's one thing to just be psychically unable to carry on with a contract; it is quite another if one just wants to reneg on a commitment after plenty of legal advice and time to consider the ramifications of signing on the dotted line. I will just sit back and worry about my stressed countrymen in our fight against fascism
As many know, Tommy Chong (of famed Cheech and Chong) fell prey to John "cover the naked statue!" Ashcroft's gauntlet. Chong was snuffed out in Ashcroft's Operation Pipe Dream for selling bongs through the mail and he spent 9 months in prison. He is out on parole -- through July, 2005.
He's in legal trouble again. The producers of The Marijuana Logues (http://www.marijuanalogues.com) are suing him because he wants to get out of the 36 tour productions.
More after the fold<
Why? Because people tend to smoke Pot at these events. I imagine an evening with Tommy Chong might induce even the most discreet smoker to want to take a toke. I can't imagine people who don't smoke pot would be so very interested in such a production.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7672769/site/newsweek/
Chong's Bongs Gone Wrong
The hippy half of Cheech and Chong, who just served a nine-month stint for selling drug paraphernalia, is being sued for quitting a traveling comedy show about--wait for it--marijuana.
Forced, he says, by the terms of his parole to quit a stage production called "The Marijuana-Logues," and uncomfortable with rejoining the cast even after his parole is over in July, Chong is now being sued by the show's producers for breach of contract.
SNIP
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."
The producers understand Chong can't do the show until his parole is up -- July, 2005. But because Chong has Freedom of Speech, they think he shouldn't have any problems with the authorities after July, 2005.
Can any reasonable person tell Tommy Chong that his constitutional rights will surely be protected? I mean.. he sold glass implements that might have been used for an illegal substance and did hard time. I bet Chong is feeling really good about the constitution and law enforcement and has all the time in the world to just HOPE he won't get caught up in another DOJ gauntlet.
And for him to be financially hit by producers of a lackadaisical show about marijuana is too much.
I am writing letters to the people producing the show to express my outrage.
Free Tommy! I think he's had enough. I think he has given all of us enough laughter and joy. And he paid a heavy price for that. Leave him alone, AC Lichenstein!
Please go to the contacts page on the Marijuana Logues site and send them an e-mail!