A company created by Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong—the iconic comedy duo known as Cheech and Chong—filed to hire a lobbyist in order to get involved with the lawmaking process in Sacramento, California.
Marin, 79, and Chong, 86, are moving their interests into California politics as it impacts businesses they own. CBS News reports that Cheech and Chong’s Global Holdings Company recently registered with the California Secretary of State.
The company filed with the state of California on June 1 to register with Secretary of State Shirley M. Weber to hire a lobbyist. Cheech and Chong’s Global Holdings Company CEO Jonathan Black said the move is both about laws that impact hemp-derived product laws as well as laws that impact the cannabis industry in the state.
“The reason why we hired a lobbyist is because there’s a bill—Assembly Bill 2223—that’s on the floor right now that regards intoxicating hemp products” Black tells High Times in a phone call. “We’ve had conversations with the CCIA [California Cannabis Industry Association]” Black said, describing the burdens of tax revenue that impacts hemp and cannabis, in comparison to other states like Illinois. AB 2223 would bring hemp-derived products into California’s state compliance system alongside cannabis products.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and hemp-derived products, however, interest in active compounds like delta-8 led states to implement laws to either crack down on them or regulate them like cannabis in an age-gated system like you’d see for wine.
“Ultimately we’ll continue to move the cannabis market in California forward,” he said, saying that they’re seeking an amendment that would provide wins for both the hemp and cannabis industries.
“We hired a lobbyist, Kirk Hale from Aaron Reed & Associates, who’s a fantastic lobbyist doing great things for …
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Author: Benjamin M. Adams / High Times
