Pubdate: Thu, 08 Mar 2007 Source: Oakland Tribune, The (CA) Copyright: 2007 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers Contact: http://www.oaklandtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/314 Author: Russell Barth Referenced; http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n243/a03.html?323494 BLAME POT'S NEGATIVE IMAGE ON CHONG If I ever meet Tommy Chong, I will thank him for personally setting the marijuana legalization movement back 30 years ("Tommy Chong to help 'Ganja Guru,'" Feb. 24). If it wasn't for his exaggerated stoner buffoonery in his movies and "That'70s Show," the general public wouldn't be so keen to buy the "stupid pothead" stereotype. Thanks to Tommy and other actors like him, people are still too afraid to legalize pot for fear of their child becoming like Tommy's on-screen alter egos. Russell Barth Ottawa, Canada - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom