Marijuana

The song Marijuana by Cheech & Chong, featured on the Cheech and Chong's Animated Movie! Musical Soundtrack Album released in 2013, is a playful ode to cannabis culture, embodying the duo’s signature stoner humor. According to Musixmatch, the lyrics humorously depict a deep affection for marijuana, using metaphors like “iguana” and “prima donna” to express devotion to the plant, celebrating strains and the counterculture lifestyle. The song’s lighthearted tone aligns with the duo’s long-standing advocacy for cannabis, as seen in their 2013 remix featuring Mod Sun, produced by Lou and Cisco Adler, which was shared on YouTube. In a 2020 interview with The Green Fund, Tommy Chong discussed how their music and films, including tracks like Marijuana, aimed to normalize cannabis use and challenge stereotypes, a mission that continues through their branded dispensaries.

One notable story about the song’s context comes from the duo’s broader cultural impact. In a 2018 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong expressed mixed feelings about marijuana’s legalization, noting it was no longer the rebellious act it once was, a sentiment that flavors the nostalgic humor of Marijuana. They remarked on buying weed “from a store in a strip mall,” a far cry from their 1970s tales of sneaking around, as depicted in their films and music. Social media posts on their Instagram, with over two million followers, often share clips and memes related to songs like Marijuana, reinforcing their connection with fans who resonate with the Zoo Freaks’ vibe. For instance, their Facebook page has shared fan-made videos of the song, amplifying its reach among the cannabis community.

Cheech & Chong began their journey in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1969, when Tommy Chong, a Canadian musician, met Richard “Cheech” Marin, an American who had moved to Canada to avoid the Vietnam War draft. Chong, born May 24, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta, to a Chinese immigrant father and a Canadian mother of Scottish-Irish descent, started as a guitarist in the soul group The Shades, later renamed The Vancouvers. After being fired from the band, he formed an improv group called City Works, performing at his family’s strip club, Shanghai Junk. Marin joined as a replacement straight man, and their chemistry led to the creation of the Cheech & Chong comedy duo in 1971. Their stand-up routines, rooted in the hippie and drug culture movements, evolved into the Grammy-winning album Cheech & Chong and the cult classic film Up in Smoke in 1978, cementing their status as stoner icons.

The duo’s official website, cheechandchong.com, serves as a hub for their cannabis brand, tour dates, and merchandise, reflecting their ongoing advocacy for cannabis justice. Their Facebook page, with millions of followers, posts updates about their projects and interacts with fans, while their Instagram account showcases behind-the-scenes content and cannabis-related humor. On X, they engage with followers through witty posts and tour announcements. Fan communities thrive online, notably the Cheech and Chong Fans Facebook Group, where Zoo Freaks and others share memorabilia, discuss songs like Marijuana, and celebrate the duo’s legacy. Another fan site, cheechandchongscannabis.com, focuses on their cannabis products, offering fans a way to connect with their brand beyond music and comedy.