# Tommy Chong is going to prison?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 12, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106 "2003-09-12T01:42:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/21 "2003-09-12T13:56:37Z")
I think everybody needs to have a big 'ol bonghit, exhale slowly, then write their congressperson and tell them to legalize it, baby! Seriously, I’m rather concerned that there will one less prison bed available for violent criminals because of this. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/22 "2003-09-12T14:35:58Z")
I loved Cheech & Chong movies. My favorite part is when he said “this is some good shit” and then he told Cheech that his dog ate the baggie of pot so he had to chase him around for a few days to collect it. I think pot should be illegal. ---
**Author:** ![smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/23 "2003-09-12T14:42:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*I think pot should be illegal. \*\* Don’t worry- it is. 😉 Of course, I hadn’t realized that an unused pipe or bong was illegal, until now. ---
**Author:** ![japatlgt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@japatlgt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/japatlgt)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/24 "2003-09-12T14:42:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Murcielago \* > \*\* > I know I’ll sleep easier with Tommy Chong off the streets.:rolleyes: \*\* My sentiments exactly. Just another symptom of a screwed up society. ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/25 "2003-09-12T15:34:09Z")
**FREE TOMMY!!!** ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/26 "2003-09-12T15:39:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by nitroglycerine \* > \*\*Thats bullshit. Fucking Ashcroft. Fuck you Ashcroft, you asshole. I hope you get penis cancer. This thread should be in the pit. > > Jon \*\* Is there such a thing as penis cancer? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/27 "2003-09-12T15:49:34Z")
From what I read, the Feds ordered the bongs from a catalog and had them delivered to an address in a town with anti-paraphenalia laws. The next thing you know, you’re seeing a 65 year old actor pleading for his freedom in court. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/28 "2003-09-12T16:12:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vanilla \* > \*\*Is there such a thing as penis cancer? \*\* [public service announcement]There is, but it is rare in the U.S. The chance of getting it is greater in uncirumcised men and those who have been exposed the human papilloma virus [/public service announcement] ---
**Author:** ![PigArcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@PigArcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigArcher)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/29 "2003-09-12T16:15:00Z")
It’s bullshit. Robert Downey, Jr. gets busted for possesion of all sorts of hard drugs and gets off with probation & rehab. Tommy Chong sells bongs over the internet and gets 9 months in prison. How is that fair? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/30 "2003-09-12T17:28:06Z")
The story I read on this reported that Chong’s lawyer requested no jail time and that Chong could _use his celebrity status to become a \*\* role model_\* for kids to prevent drug abuse!\* Isn’t that kind of like Hitler cashing in on his celebrity status to help in the prevention of anti-semitism? Then the part about the salsa dancing put me over the edge! I coulda swore this was a joke! * * * I scream, you scream, we all Salsa Dance for Ice Cream! ---
**Author:** ![slu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@slu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slu)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/31 "2003-09-12T17:42:41Z")
This is total bullshit. It seems silly to me that they even have an operation to stop selling of pipes and bongs. I mean, I can go to home depot and buy everything I need to make a nice bong. I can walk around my apartment and find enough stuff to make a passable smoking device. So to me this is a waste because people will still smoke even if bongs and head shops never existed. And if selling bongs is illegal since they are used for pot, why isn’t it illegal to give out free needles to smack users??? I mean they are even saying they are “insulin use only”. They are staight up about it and heroin is much more of problem than pot. Great point about Robert Downey, Jr. by the way. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/32 "2003-09-12T17:51:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by audiobottle \* > **So is it actually illegal to sell bongs or other marijuana related paraphenalia?** [Previous thread on this question.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=204885) P.S. I always forget the second _r_ in _paraphernalia_, too. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/33 "2003-09-12T21:02:26Z")
Too bad Tommy didn’t live in a cooler neighborhood. [http://www.bongs-glasbongs-wasserpfeifen-acrylbongs-eisbongs.erotic-master.de/index2.htm](http://www.bongs-glasbongs-wasserpfeifen-acrylbongs-eisbongs.erotic-master.de/index2.htm) ---
**Author:** ![JaxBeachBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@JaxBeachBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaxBeachBoy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/34 "2003-09-13T14:38:09Z")
Similar to this nonsense are the various anti-RAVE acts floating around in different cities… many of them are seeking to make some of the “toys” that people at raves or clubs play with listed as drug paraphenalia, and clubs selling them can be shut down(pacifiers, glow sticks, etc.) I have even seen some that list bottled water as one of the items, since MDMA users tend to drink water. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/35 "2003-09-13T17:09:38Z")
Maybe the Bush administration is embarassed over its failure to apprehend Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, or the anthrax terrorist and decided to downsize its target level. “Kim Jong Il? Fidel Castro?” “No way, setting up another war would take months.” “Maybe something domestic. How about some organized crime figures?” “No, those guys are all lawyered up. Too likely to win.” “Maybe a serial killer.” “Are you kidding? Some of them guys take years to find.” “A rioter?” “We were hoping to grab some during the blackout, but no dice. Besides the ACLU’ll jump all over a case like that.” “A computer hacker?” “Did it last month. Turns out the average hacker is only sixteen years old and can’t be tried as an adult.” “An illegal song downloader?” “Twelve years old.” “Okay, name a criminal we’re sure we can put in jail.” “…” ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/36 "2003-09-14T01:43:28Z")
I agree with Nemo. Plainly, someone was thinking “re-election.” And why wish penis cancer on someone who, if he has one, probably hasn’t used it since 1971? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/37 "2003-09-14T02:20:52Z")
> [@](#): > > And why wish penis cancer on someone who, if he has one, probably hasn’t used it since 1971? Because nothing is too good for John Ashcroft. > [@](#): > > Much as I loathe Ashcroft, he didn’t create these moronic paraphernalia laws. True, but as the top law enforcement official in the US, it’s his decision to do things like this; it’s part of a federal operation, so it does have to do with him. Likewise, it’s his decision to have the DEA attempt to crack down on medical marijuana providers in California. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/38 "2003-09-14T04:41:46Z")
John Ashcroft is not directly in charge of this matter, his assistant ([pictured here](http://www.jonkroll.com/films/images/keach.jpg) ) is in charge here. But when Ashcroft finds out Cheech is ‘Iranian’, he will be in the clink before long too. Seriously, I was under the impression that paraphenalia was illegal only when it was clearly used (has residue, found with drugs, used to help deal actual drugs). A new bong could potentially (cough) be used for tobacco. As a matter of fact, couldn’t a civilized cannibis smoker use a regular tobacco pipe as well? ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/39 "2003-09-14T07:07:05Z")
From the California statutes, sec. 11364.5(d): > [@](#): > > “Drug paraphernalia” includes, but is not limited to, all > of the following: > (1) Kits intended for use or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing or harvesting of any species of plant which is a controlled substance or from which a controlled > substance can be derived. > (2) Kits intended for use or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, or preparing controlled substances. > (3) Isomerization devices intended for use or designed for use in increasing the potency of any species of plant which is a controlled substance. > (4) Testing equipment intended for use or designed for use in identifying, or in analyzing the strength, effectiveness or purity of controlled substances. > (5) Scales and balances intended for use or designed for use in weighing or measuring controlled substances. > (6) Diluents and adulterants, such as quinine hydrochloride, mannitol, mannite, dextrose, and lactose, intended for use or designed for use in cutting controlled substances. > (7) Separation gins and sifters intended for use or designed for use in removing twigs and seeds from, or in otherwise cleaning or refining, marijuana. > (8) Blenders, bowls, containers, spoons, and mixing devices intended for use or designed for use in compounding controlled substances. > (9) Capsules, balloons, envelopes, and other containers intended for use or designed for use in packaging small quantities of controlled substances. > (10) Containers and other objects intended for use or designed for use in storing or concealing controlled substances. > (11) Hypodermic syringes, needles, and other objects intended for use or designed for use in parenterally injecting controlled substances into the human body. > (12) Objects intended for use or designed for use in ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing marijuana, cocaine, hashish, or hashish oil into the human body, such as the following: > (A) Metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic pipes with or without screens, permanent screens, hashish heads, or punctured metal bowls. > (B) Water pipes. > © Carburetion tubes and devices. > (D) Smoking and carburetion masks. > (E) Roach clips, meaning objects used to hold burning material, such as a marijuana cigarette that has become too small or too short to be held in the hand. > (F) Miniature cocaine spoons, and cocaine vials. > (G) Chamber pipes. > (H) Carburetor pipes. > (I) Electric pipes. > (J) Air-driven pipes. > (K) Chillums. > (L) Bongs. > (M) Ice pipes or chillers. > **(e) In determining whether an object is drug paraphernalia, a court or other authority may consider, in addition to all other logically relevant factors, the following:** > (1) Statements by an owner or by anyone in control of the object concerning its use. > (2) Prior convictions, if any, of an owner, or of anyone in control of the object, under any state or federal law relating to any controlled substance. > (3) Direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of an owner, or of anyone in control of the object, to deliver it to persons whom he or she knows, or should reasonably know, intend to use the object to facilitate a violation of this section. The innocence of an owner, or of anyone in control of the object, as to a direct violation of this section shall not prevent a finding that the object is intended for use, or designed for use, as drug paraphernalia. > (4) Instructions, oral or written, provided with the object concerning its use. > (5) Descriptive materials, accompanying the object which explain or depict its use. > (6) National and local advertising concerning its use. > (7) The manner in which the object is displayed for sale. > (8) Whether the owner, or anyone in control of the object, is a legitimate supplier of like or related items to the community, such as a licensed distributor or dealer of tobacco products. > (9) The existence and scope of legitimate uses for the object in the community. > (10) Expert testimony concerning its use. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106/40 "2003-09-14T07:31:52Z")
Gee, in this era of fanatics flying planes into buildings (and killing thousands in the process) and Osama Bin Laden AND Saddam Hussein still not captured, isn’t it nice to know our law enforcement agencies are spending their time on worthwhile pursuits ??? I think even “Mr and Mrs Front Porch” in the heartland of America would rather hear that a terrorsit plot has been thwarted rather than some pothead is getting sent to jail. I don’t even smoke marijuana but I think the dangers of it are far less dangerous than - oh I don’t know - people flying big jets into big buildings !! Wow, hasn’t America got more important concerns right now? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tommy-chong-is-going-to-prison/201106.md?page=1)