Pubdate: Sun, 10 Jan 2010
Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA)
Column: Whispers
Copyright: 2010 Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Contact: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/letters/send/
Website: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460
Note: Relevant part of a longer column.
Cited: MPP's 15th anniversary gala 
http://www.mpp.org/events/15th-anniversary-gala.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Tommy+Chong

EVENT'S BUZZ NOT BUCHANAN'S KIND

Mary Beth Buchanan and her friends probably are all abuzz over the
news.

Perhaps the former local U.S. attorney's most well-known prosecution
was that of stoner comedian Tommy Chong. Buchanan put Chong in prison
for nine months in 2003 for selling glass water pipes in which --
gasp! -- marijuana could be smoked.

Buchanan now is on the occupational sidelines, mulling a possible
congressional bid. Chong, meanwhile, is getting the last laugh as a
celebrity guest at the Marijuana Policy Project's 15th anniversary
gala on Wednesday.

Chong and former comedic partner Cheech Marin will speak at the
Washington, D.C., event, which will focus on the organization's past
efforts and future plans involving the legalization of cannabis.

Thirteen states have legalized medical marijuana since the
29,000-member organization was founded in 1995; previously, marijuana
for medicinal use was outlawed in all 50 states.

As more states relax marijuana laws, Buchanan's prosecution of Chong
seems even more foolish than it initially did seven years ago.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake