Cheech and Chong: Pot Will Save the Economy

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 10th 2009 01:58PM

It's been 31 years since America got its first whiff of 'Up in Smoke' and the herbally-enhanced comedic stylings of Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. Now, in 2009, after decades of very high highs and some behind-bars lows, the toking duo is being heralded for their impact on culture in VH1's 'Lords of the Revolution' (airing Aug. 10-14 on VH1) along with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Andy Warhol and other legends. PopEater was able to chat with Cheech and Chong about the honors, Cheech's marriage just this past weekend and also how legalized marijuana could kill the recession.

'Lords of the Revolution' Trailer'

Did you ever think you'd be honored or credited for doing what you guys have done during your career?

Cheech: Well, you know you never know what's going to happen. It's so honorific to be singled out.

Chong: I learned early in my life, expect nothing and you'll never be disappointed.

What's it like to essentially have made a career based around an illegal activity?

Cheech: The ironic thing is only about 15 percent of our whole act was about pot. But yea, it's fine. I really appreciate being in the forefront of that change, and in a comic way. We took the pith out of everything, so we weren't taken seriously but our effect was serious.

Chong: We were harmlessly dangerous.

Cheech: I'm reading a review of 'Lords of the Revolution' that's perfectly typical. It says "surprisingly" we were included with the other people. That's always going to precede everything. We're going to be "surprisingly" dead one day.

The New York Times review of the show says you two "get much more credit for mainstreaming pot smoking than anyone ought to allow." Is that something you take with pride?

Both: Oh yeah!

Chong: Especially when it comes out that it helps people with MS and Parkinson's. Like I said in the show... What if we're right? It looks like it's coming true, we were right.

Do people tend to forget the medicinal argument of pot?

Chong: Before the '30s and they had the Jim Crow bigoted approach to life, pot was considered a medicine. It wasn't until it became an ethnic thing -- Mexicans smoking it -- it was called hemp right until they criminalized it. Then they called it marijuana. And they call it marijuana, but the only plant that gets you high is the female plant... so it's not only a racist law, it's a sexist law.

So you think legalization is possible?

Cheech: I think it'll be legalized sooner rather than later. It's a key towards our economic recovery.

Chong: There are some things, Republicans will always tell you they don't want government involved, well this is a good place where it should not be involved. Because how can you tax something that grows like a weed? It's like taxing dandelions. So what happens, pot puts the population into a nice, mellow mood. And no one shops harder than someone on pot. I've bought stuff that I've still never took out of the package. So potheads are not only mellow, they spend money. That's what the economy needs. You don't need bankers hiding money in Switzerland and offshore. You need consumers, and that's what pot does. Pot makes everyone a consumer. The food industry alone owes a lot to pot.

Cheech: And the large majority of prisoners in the U.S. are in there for drugs. Just imagine the economic implications if they weren't.

Aside from you guys, obviously, who played the best stoner in a movie?

Cheech: I like Jeff Bridges as 'The Dude' in 'The Big Lebowski.'

Chong: I like David Chappelle ('Half Baked') and definitely Seth Rogen ('Knocked Up' / 'Pineapple Express'). That bouncer scene in 'Knocked up where he takes that woman aside and talks to her, that is the most classic scene.

Bridges and Chappelle Stoner Scenes (Warning: Explicit)

Cheech, you just got married this weekend. Firstly, congrats, and secondly, how come you're on the phone with me and not on a honeymoon?

Cheech: "I needed a break! You are my savior. No, I'm going in a few hours on my honeymoon. We're going to be whisked away to a secret location."

Tags: cheech and chong, cheech marin, CheechAndChong, CheechMarin, marijuana

Comments

(66)

Tuesday 11 August

By starblank2048

Vote down Vote up Report this

They are saying the same things I've said for years.

Legalize it, tax it. Debt disappears.

Have you ever heard of a pothead doing violent crime to anyone????

Most potheads I know don't have the motivation to do much of anything when buzzed,let alone violence.

By RFWoodstock

WOODSTOCK LIVES ONLINE!!!! Win a Woodstock special limited edition white Stratocaster guitar (only 40 made by Fender) and Collector's Edition Woodstock DVD and listen to RADIO WOODSTOCK 69 which features only music from the original Woodstock era (1967-1971) and RADIO WOODSTOCK with music from the original Woodstock era to today’s artists who reflect the spirit of Woodstock. Go to http://www.woodstockuniverse.com for details.

Peace, love, music,
RFWoodstock
rfwoodstock@gmail.com

Wednesday 12 August

Legalize marijuana, tax it and use the money to pay for health care all citizens.

Wednesday 21 October

By MAdcap

Yeah dude, it IS 2009. Time to stop living in the Dark Ages and step into the light and legalize it.

Wednesday 18 August

By Cleave

I love cheech and chong. they know whats up. the economy can benefit on so many levels it is insane. We just need more organization and easier to follow laws. Every city in California has different guidelines to follow.

Page 4 of 4