Modern Day Marijuana Moguls Have Actor Tommy Chong To Thank

Katelyn Baker

Well-Known Member
There's an unmistakable scent in the air. It's the smell of marijuana and money.

ArcView Market Research projects demand for cannabis in legal markets will surpass $22 billion by 2020. ArcView CEO Troy Dayton says the growth presents an opportunity for a select group of celebrities.

"One of the few ways for a brand to get ahead is to attach themselves to someone who is already known," says Dayton. "This is only likely to work if the celebrity has a strong and longtime connection to cannabis before it was popular."

Blazing the business trail was Tommy Chong, one-half of the stoner comedy duo Cheech and Chong. More than a decade ago, he operated a family business that specialized in handmade glass bongs. In February 2003, Chong's business and freedom went up in smoke. He was sentenced to nine months in federal prison for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute drug paraphernalia.

"The feds wanted to make an example of me because of the war on drugs," says Chong.

What a difference 13 years makes. Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have laws legalizing marijuana in some form; with more considering pot-related measures this year. The comedian sells Chong's Choice - his legal brand of cannabis and cannabis products in dispensaries in Colorado, California, Oregon and other states.

"Our most popular product by far is Chong's Choice flower," says Chong, who hosts a podcast featured on CannabisRadio.com. "In all of the dispensaries they sell out almost immediately."

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Full Article: Modern Day Marijuana Moguls Have Actor Tommy Chong To Thank
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Photo Credit: Neil Visel
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