Tommy Chong Pleads Guilty in Bong Sales

By Jack May 14, 2003 12:08 PM

PITTSBURGH (Reuters) - Actor Tommy Chong of the spaced-out dope-smoking comedy duo "Cheech & Chong" pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a federal conspiracy charge of selling drug paraphernalia over the Internet.

Chong, 64, of Pacific Palisades, California, and his family-run business, Nice Dreams Enterprises, admitted to conspiring to sell marijuana pipes via Web site promotions that featured the comedian's celebrity endorsement.

Under a federal plea agreement, Chong also admitted in a Pittsburgh courtroom that he promoted the drug paraphernalia during personal appearances around the country.

He could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. But federal prosecutors said the actual penalty will likely be more lenient.

U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab set a sentencing hearing for Sept. 11 and released him on $20,000 bond.

Chong's plea represented a public relations victory for a local federal program called "Operation Pipe Dreams," which targets drug paraphernalia sales. The operation, which began in 2000, has 17 cases pending, most from the Pittsburgh area.

"These cases can be brought wherever the Internet is used," said assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Brysh.

The Canadian-born Chong is best known as the bearded and bespectacled member of "Cheech & Chong," who along with partner Cheech Marin became synonymous with the drug humor of the 1970s through comedy skits such as "Dave's Not Here" and movies like "Up In Smoke."

First gaining national notoriety in 1970, the pair made a series of comedy albums that won them a Grammy award and helped launch their subsequent Hollywood movie careers.

Chong was accused of using his Web sites www.chongglass.com and www.tommychong.com. to sell thousands of pipes and glass bongs -- or water pipes. Many of the products were emblazoned with images of Chong's face and some bore his autograph.

U.S. agents raided his Gardena, California-based business on Feb. 24, and confiscated about $120,000 in proceeds from the sales.

| comments: 27

Reader Discussions:

Post YOUR opinion too!

Oh my god   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 15, 2003 3:41 AM

Oh my God! He actually smoked pot!? I am shocked and appalled.

RE: Oh my god   reply

Posted by Skullfire (hulacete@ubbi.com) on May 15, 2003 9:20 AM

So this is what was up...

RE: Oh my god   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 19, 2003 4:39 AM

Watching the game, smoking a bunt.

RE: Oh my god   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on May 20, 2003 5:32 AM

I wonder if when the police were hammering on his door to come and arrest him whether he shouted "Tommy's not here, man!"

RE: Oh my god   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 21, 2003 4:58 AM

your shocked tommy chong smoked pot, well then your just ignorant fool who needs to get out more!

RE: Oh my god   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 22, 2003 9:35 AM

Man, Cops suck!

Sick laws lead to a sick society   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on July 15, 2003 12:27 PM

We as Americans have the right to eat, smoke and drink anything we dam well please. The fact that Tommy Chong has been singled out as a deviant and faces jail time for the sale of glass ware show's how sick and petty our society has become. Freedom is not given it is something you must fight for on a daily basis. To give up that freedom, at any level, allows those who would destroy you, the means too. What is happening to Tommy will happen to us all if we continue to look the other way.

Busting Tommy Chong Was A Waste   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on July 19, 2003 4:07 PM

i don't honestly think in this day and age that pot is a drug. It has become a lifestyle for most, and a recreation to others. My opinion is that you can all choose to do what you do in life. My choice is to smoke pot and be proud of it. PRO HEMP.......it lasts alot longer...Your Pal Cartoon

RE: Oh my god   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on July 31, 2003 8:32 PM

leave tommy alone motherf*ckers go get a real criminal

a bust that shouldnt happened   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on August 7, 2003 7:26 PM

Come on man why bust chong. That is f**ckn retarded

marijuana initiative   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on August 26, 2003 12:53 PM

I think that all you guys out there who are against the legalization of marijuana, Well I think your all Fked

Prinson bars do not hold my mind   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on August 26, 2003 1:02 PM

Mannnnnnnn! If Tommy Chong goes to prison I vow to take care of Shelby for him till he gets out. I promiss to keep her well oiled and in good physical condition, What man. No man they dont know its me laeve me alone let me type. How they gonna find out I have the hots for Shelby Mannn go roll a joint and get us some muchies.Ahem! Anyway I will love honor and care for Shelby until Tommy is free and I promiss never to leave her side Free Tommy Chong Free Tommy Chong. But wait until tommorow ok.

chong bong   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on September 12, 2003 2:10 PM

I work for a magazine. Does anyone have a photo of one of Tommy's bongs that I can buy? Thanks.
Ira
212.522-4734
call collect

BONG   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on September 12, 2003 6:22 PM

i like to suck on tommy chong's BONG

FREE TOMMY CHONG   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on September 13, 2003 1:14 AM

Just FYI guys, there is a site at http://FreeTommyChong.org dedicated to demanding his immediate release.  Please take the time to sign the petition.  Tommy Chong harmed NO-ONE, yet he's facing 9 months in the federal pen, at the age of 65 WITH NO PREVIOUS CRIMINAL RECORD!
Join the movement to free Tommy Chong

RE: Oh my god   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on September 14, 2003 10:42 AM

good question!  ha ha

free tommy!   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on September 19, 2003 6:35 AM

Write your congressman! I thought the pipes that he sold were for tobacco use only! I personally  never once thought they were used for the purpose of smoking pot. If you can smoke pot out of a pipe, then sholdn't we go after ALL the tobacco pipe makers? And if I use a lighter to light the said pot, shouldn't we go after the cigarette lighter manufacturers too? If I was Tommy, I'd counter-sue!
ps-Tommy, Shelby- you missed the Harley reunion in Milwaukee...you should have come!

i smoke weed   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on September 20, 2003 10:17 PM

i smoke weed all the time get high all the time!!!!!!!!!!420----Police lights flash
Oh shit... they are pulling me over
Runs to the car, smells the reefer
Pull me out throws me to the ground
In his panic, feeds me to his dog
Road is hot burning flesh
While back-ups destroy the car
All for a little bid of weed
Dog bite my arm,
treat me as a murderer
Please let me up
the handcuffs are too tight
I'm begging you please this is not right
These hicks fucking laugh at me
You bled to much, you're under arrest
for what your done with no contest...
Cannibal cop
You bastards will pay when I sue you
For the tremendous brutality
for smoking weed---Marijuana is a national monster
Boys smoke it with girls to seduce them
Still heroin use is rising higher
Public oppositions had very little say
I'm living here in 2OOO
and I have never smoked weed
That made me want to kill
or become hostile
All these crimes
must have been committed
under the influence of alcohol
Smoking pot gets you stoned
You get mellow,
so fuck the bullshit from the past
It is time to grow up
Out of religious pesting
or goody-two-shoe politicians
or lobbyist, addicted to tobacco,
whores, and social drinks
Now's the time for us stoners to revolt
take back a country
we lost a long time ago
Change the laws more suitable for
man... Invertus Indica--Police sucks
Fucking Fags
Cops in my house
Cops in the bus

Kill some cops
Fuck them up
All the cops
Fucking die

I hate Cops
Shit for brains
Stick your gun
Up your fuckin Ass !!!

free chong ---smoke grind sleep

hippocrites   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 2, 2003 5:27 PM

First of all,he's not even he's selling mj; it's just her accessories. Second of all, you could use some of those same "accessories" to smoke tabacco with.  

These hippocrites are tripping off of paraphanalia because because they'll never shut weed down.  Not just because it's next to impossible, but the f*ckers tax it like they tax, coke, crack, and cigarettes.  It's the man's way of still making a buck while having the public brainwashed into believing they are making a concerted effort to control the situation.  It pisses me off that they are using Tommy Chong as an example.  

These pigs need to spark up, chill out, and chase a real crime.  Like, what's up with that Enron sh*t?  They just swept all the president's and Dick Chaney's envolvement under the carpet like it never happened; and Bush starts a war to redirect everyone's attention and create the illusion that he's a competend president.  

Anyways, I'm off the subject.  My point being, this government is cracked.  Sorry, you got a raw deal, Tommy.

RE: marijuana initiative   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on November 4, 2003 2:25 PM

u are fucking right pot
should be legal man

RE: i smoke weed   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on November 12, 2003 8:13 AM

dude your a moron and make the rest of the people that are trying to get pot legalized look like morons.
kill cops ? thats not a trennent of any stoner i know.
you sound like a pthertic attention seeking lamer that has no clue and no respect.
no wonder the cops treated you badly , more than likely you acted like an asshole

hold on   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on November 17, 2003 3:40 PM

tommy your right where you should be now,,,fuck them from the inside out...xo 8 more to go. your the best jasonn ,,vanncouver,,,come home

Tommy Chong - American hero!   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on January 28, 2004 9:30 AM

I wonder if the cops who busted him also kick puppies, strangle babies and stomp flowers on the taxpayer dime too. Cops are welfare recipients of the worst degree. Hope they enjoy Hell :)

RE: i smoke weed   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on January 28, 2004 9:33 AM

don't speak for me, "kill the cops" is now becoming my mantra too. Hey, THEY brought it.

Pussy pigs   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on January 28, 2004 9:35 AM

Have they ever busted ANYone for cocaine or heroin? Ooh, that would be too scary for prissy little them!

BLAZEN HOURLY ***kAsE SaYs  FuCk-AlL pIgS!!!   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on October 3, 2004 9:18 AM

ALL  I HAVE 2 SAY IS THAT MR CHONG ROCKS ... HE IS LOVED BY  MANY SMOKERS  BEKAUSE  HE IS THE KING OF  BLAZERS  SO IM BLAZEN HOURLY  4 HIM  WHILE  HE IS GOING THREW THIS BULL SHIT ...I SAY    WE  ROAST  ALL PIGS  LIKE THEY  ALL DO PIGS  BURN  EM....
SOON THE WHOLE WORLD  WILL B BLAZEN...IM OUT AND  STILL ON DOPE....
IF U R OUT THERE BIOS ...L...Y...L....
kAsE OnEz!!!
Bh bAbY

RE: Sick laws lead to a sick society   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on December 7, 2004 12:36 PM

*(Damn)! And You can't say that chong looks the other way because when he was called out and arrested for calling glass, BONGS, he straight up up said hell yeah i sold bongs and i smoked weed too and if you don't like it well then fuck you man!!! See you in like 5 or so years assholes.