Don't Fear the Reefer: Cheech & Chong

"AMERICA NEEDS to become a pothead," says Tommy Chong, reflecting on his cause celebre that has sparked up controversies.

Before Harold and Kumar, there was Cheech and Chong, and they want to give the country a big hug, man. They've reunited for the "Light Up America" tour, which hits the Warner Theatre on Saturday. It's their first stand-up gig in 25 years, and arrives in the wake of a series of pot-plotted films and a legalization push.

"Illegality keeps the demand high," said Chong. He and Cheech Marin contend that Hollywood is taking bold steps by promoting and producing movies that depict the psychotropic as a uniter, not a divider.

"Everything is pharmaceuticals, and it's not necessarily the healthiest thing for you," says Chong. "Hemp has been around for 5,000 years. It's medicinal. But the legalized 'wonder drugs' that you see on television at night, those are harmful to you."

Cheech and Chong mix humor, music and politics into their act. They're practically rock stars. The difference is that their reunion comes after only one feud over the course of a long and fruitful career.

"Rock musicians fight and break up, then get back together again; then fight and break up and get back together again," said Chong. "You have to get along to do comedy. If we were a rock band, we probably would've gotten back together and broken up a million times."

» Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW; Sat., 7 & 9 p.m., $39.50-$59.50; 800-551-7328, livenation.com. (Metro Center)

Written by Express contributor Christopher Correa
Photo by Matt Sayles