Tommy Chong reveals prostate cancer battle

74-year-old cult actor Tommy Chong, best known for his stoner-comedy double-act 'Cheech & Chong' alongside Cheech Marin, has revealed that he is battling cancer.

Chong told CNN he was diagnosed last month with "slow stage one" prostate cancer. The star noted that he first felt symptoms nearly eight years ago during his nine-month sentence at Taft Correctional Institution in California, adding that he believes the prison conditions sped up the illness.

He told CNN: "The prison is built on toxic waste. I also got gout from the food there"

Chong has long been an advocate of making herb marijuna legal to the public and will use the drug to help his condition.

He said: "I've got prostate cancer, and I'm treating it with hemp oil, with cannabis. So [legalizing marijuana] means a lot more to me than just being able to smoke a joint without being arrested"

The star went on to say that it was in his three-year drug-free stint that his health declined: "So I know [the cancer] had nothing to do with cannabis. Cannabis is a cure."

Cheech & Chong became big screen favourites with their stoner comedy classic 'Up in Smoke' in 1978. 'Cheech & Chong's Next Movie' (which was also directed by Chong) followed in 1980 and then numerous other, less famous, sequels and cult film appearances.

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