Tommy Chong, one half of the lengendary duo “Cheech and Chong,” has opened up about his battle with Prostate cancer. Chong was diagnosed with the cancer last month and announced that he is in a slow, stage one. He believes that his stint in prison made his health worse and that the cancer first showed up when he was in prison eight years ago. Chong also said that he’s using marijuana to help him battle the cancer. Read more below.
Actor Tommy Chong is battling prostate cancer, he revealed to CNN’s Don Lemon on Saturday night.
The 74-year-old is best known for his stoner-comedy routine alongside Cheech Marin, as the comedy duo “Cheech and Chong.”
Chong told CNN he was diagnosed about a month ago and that the cancer is currently in a “slow stage one.” He revealed he first noticed symptoms nearly eight years ago during his nine-month sentence at Taft Correctional Institution in California, adding that he believes the prison caused his health to take a turn for the worse.
“The prison is built on toxic waste. I also got gout from the food there,” he told CNN.
The actor and comedian revealed his condition during an interview about his support for decriminalizing marijuana use and sales, so it’s not surprising how he plans on treating his illness.
“I’ve got prostate cancer, and I’m treating it with hemp oil, with cannabis. So [legalizing marijuana] means a lot more to me than just being able to smoke a joint without being arrested,” he explained, adding that he was drug free for nearly three years, during which time he began having health problems. “So I know [the cancer] had nothing to do with cannabis. Cannabis is a cure.”
Chong also explained he quit smoking marijuana about a year ago, so to treat his prostate cancer he ingests hemp oil, but only “at night, so I won’t be woozy all day,” he explained.
Chong and his on-screen partner Cheech Marin are the original stoner duo, best known for their big screen adventure “Up In Smoke,” which was followed by several films detailing their zany antics. A longtime and vocal supporter of legalizing marijuana, Chong has written several books including, “The I Chong: Meditations from the Joint,” and most recently lent his voice to the animated feature “Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil.”
