Comedian Tommy Chong is excited about marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington state, which goes into effect on New Year’s Day.

“It’s incredible because everybody is waking up to the truth,” he told CNN on Monday. “The truth is that marijuana is healthier than anything recreationally used — you know, alcohol or tobacco or anything that gets you high.”

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“Marijuana is really a medicine. It’s been used as a medicine for thousands of years and we are finally coming around to realizing that it is much better for you than anything else out there.”

Chong also asked CNN host John Berman and his guests if any of them wanted to buy marijuana from him. But all men three declined.

Chong, famous for being one-half of the dope-fuelled “Cheech and Chong” movies and comedy act, was arrested in 2003 for selling bongs online through his company, Nice Dreams Enterprises. When federal agents arrived at his home and asked if he had any marijuana he reportedly replied, “Of course. I’m Tommy Chong!” They found about one pound of marijuana.

He was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison.

Watch video, broadcast by CNN, below.

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[Image via Morten Skogly, Creative Commons licensed]