His victimization by The United States Government is made even more surreal by the fact that his prosecution occurs amidst the chaos created by the September 11th, 2001 Terrorist Attack on The United States. The consequent fear of domestic terrorism which the United States faced as a nation is underscored as The United States Government tries to deflect this very real fear of internal terrorism and terrorists onto a manufactured fear of Tommy Chong and the uses of drug paraphernalia.

The documentary, therefore, which does not find a way to exonerate the United States’ Government, but does leave we, the viewers, with an absurd taste in our mouths, especially in light of the unreasonable and unnecessary use of manpower unleashed on Tommy B. Chong and his family, is an excellent example of the abuse of power which The United States’ Government can sometimes perpetrate against lone citizens of The United States. This story, while excellently told, may confuse people, like myself, who do not approve of Marijuana use and who are pro-United States’ Government.

I needed to watch this documentary several times before I could determine how I really felt about the fact that because an obscure attorney from Pennsylvania, named Mary Beth Bucchanan, who went to work for John Ashcroft when Ashcroft worked for George Bush Jr., was offended by the promotion of the drug culture as portrayed by Tommy Chong in Cheech n’Chong films, that Tommy Chong’s First Amendment Free Speech Rights were violated; while the terrorists who masterminded the September 11th attacks remained free.

The answer for myself was that I was appalled yet riveted to this compelling and provocative documentary. That is why on a scale of from one to twelve roses I give The United States Government vs. Tommy B. Chong, a/k/a Tommy Chong twelve and-a-half roses. 

About the Author: Cleo E. Brown graduated suma cum laude from California State College at Stanislaus and has a Masters Degree in Contemporary American History from UC Davis. In addition to having worked as a College Instructor and as the Dean of Student Affairs in a GED Preparation Program she has had experience working in live theater. Cleo also has minor baccalaureate degrees in political science and education. She has pursued a Ph.D. in Education from The University of San Francisco and is also a published poet.