EDMONTON — Boyle councillor and cannabis retailer Shelby Kiteley got face time in with the one and only Tommy Chong during the annual Grow Up cannabis conference in Edmonton Sept. 29.
Chong, who is best known for his weed-based comedy stylings with Cheech Marin featured on albums, was selected to be part of the conference based on his association with Alberta's capital city.
"This year, they decided to bring along Tommy Chong since he was born in Edmonton," wrote Kiteley in an Oct. 3 email. "We went on the riverboat with him, and he hung out in the VIP areas where we were able to speak with him one on one."
Chong noted in an interview with CTV's Kent Morrison he spent time in his early life in a small hamlet not too far from Boyle.
"We were not in Edmonton itself. My dad had a homestead in a little place called Dapp," Chong told CTV. "I was born in the general hospital but then we lived in this little converted chicken coop."
By his recollection, the Chong family spent one winter near the hamlet before his father enrolled in the armed forces and was enlisted in the fighting efforts of the Second World War.
When asked what returning to his area of origin, Chong said: "It's surreal."
"I've always felt a thing with Edmonton because of my uncle who I was named after. He was a diving coach at the University of Alberta, and he went by the name of Tommy Chong."
For Kiteley, Chong's small-town roots were evident.
"It just goes to show that small towns produce legends and always have," she wrote. "After meeting him, you can tell he is a small-town guy; humble, friendly, open-minded and respectful even though all the fame.
"If you have the heart and the passion, it can take you a long way regardless of where you come from," she added.
Cannabis culture shift
In addition to hosting Chong, one of cannabis' staunch advocates prior to legalization, Kiteley said the 2024 Grow Up conference featured new ideas within cannabis culture.
"There is a focus on 'selling beyond THC' this year, which highlights other cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and CBN to name a few, and a look at wellness products in the recreational market," wrote Kiteley. "I really like this because the cannabis experience is about so much more than 'getting high.' It's time we erase that stigma."
Kiteley noted Chong's long-time advocacy for cannabis advocacy through movies and comedy had significant impact on the public perception of the plant.
"As a long-time cannabis enthusiast, I grew up watching Up in Smoke with friends. I feel as though it was a timeless movie that brought cannabis use from the shadows into the forefront in an entertaining way — even if it was sensationalized a bit," wrote Kiteley.
"I'm all about removing the stigma of cannabis from society. Cannabis users are not out to hurt anyone, people of all ages use it for a variety of reasons. It's cool that he's 86 and he is still a huge part of the industry."
