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Tommy Chong Diagnosed With Rectal Cancer
Three years after announcing that he was fighting prostate cancer, Cheech & Chong’s Tommy Chong says he’s undergoing treatment for rectal cancer. His diagnosis has forced the duo to cancel their Australian tour.
Chong broke the news to fans on Twitter with humor and a shout out to his good friend marijuana.
“I have good news and bad news. First the bad news, the cancer came back and it’s a real pain in the butt,” he tweeted June 17.
“The good news is I now have to use more marijuana to treat the cancer. I will be documenting my cancer fight on the Chong and Chong podcast to let my fans know how the fight is going. Please wish we luck while I kick cancer’s behind.”
He added, “Thank you for your love and support now excuse me while I medicate and meditate.”
US Weekly was the first publication to report that Chong was diagnosed with rectal cancer. He told the magazine he’s been “using cannabis like crazy now, more so than ever before.”
In June 2012 the comedian spoke to CNN about treating prostate cancer “with hemp oil, with cannabis.” Rather than smoking marijuana, he said he ingested hemp oil “as a medicine.” He noted that legalizing marijuana meant “a lot more to me than just being able to smoke a joint without being arrested.”
E Online points out that Chong said he was cancer-free in a 2013 post on CelebStoner.com.
Cheech & Chong’s Australian outing – “The Up In Smoke Greatest Hits Tour” – was supposed to begin in Brisbane June 18 and run through next week. Refunds are available at point of purchase.