Canada's gone up in smoke, Cheech & Chong complain

By Gloria Galloway , Globe and Mail

 

Pot shots: Summer creates a news vacuum in Ottawa but political junkies still have some things to mull over this week.

 

There are whispers of an August cabinet shuffle – rumours that have so-far been denied by the Prime Minister’s Office.

 

There is speculation about a fall election that all parties say they want to avoid.

 

There is ongoing bickering over a decision to spend $9-billion (plus billions more on maintenance) for a fleet of fighter jets as the country enters a period of austerity.

 

There are arguments for and against the Conservative government’s plan to scrap the mandatory long-form census.

 

And then there is blunt advice from Cheech and Chong.

 

The comedy duo – who made themselves famous in the ‘70s with their stoner act – had a few words for Prime Minister Stephen Harper when in they hosted a show last week at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal.

 

According to The Canadian Press, the comedy team is upset that large numbers of Canadians are still being arrested for marijuana possession after this country came close to decriminalizing the drug a few years ago.

 

“Wise up, you douchebag,” Mr. Marin said when asked what he’d tell the Prime Minister.

 

Tommy Chong, who hails from Edmonton, agreed.

 

“I would tell Stephen Harper to let go of George Bush’s butt,” Mr. Chong said. “Your head’s too far up there. Get your head out of his butt. He’s gone. George is gone. He’s history, Stephen.”

 

It's unlikley that Mr. Harper, who is in Moncton, N.B. on Monday to open the World Junior Championships in Athletics, will be taking a hard look at his government’s drug policies.