Bernie Sanders is harshing Tommy Chong’s mellow.
The comedian and cannabis activist says he was scheduled to introduce Sanders at a campaign rally Monday in East Los Angeles, but was unceremoniously disinvited hours before the event.
“It’s lip service to get the votes, but they don’t want to endorse what I stand for and what I’ve stood for all my professional career,” Chong told The Hollywood Reporter. “It was an insult.”
Chong told THR he thinks the Sanders campaign disinvited him to “put distance between himself and Sanders over the marijuana issue,” and called the decision a “weakness.”
Chong has been a vocal supporter of Sanders (who supports the decriminalization of recreational marijuana use) for some time. In January Chong filmed a video announcing his endorsement of the Vermont senator for “Commander in Kush.”
The Sanders campaign said it appreciates Chong’s support and blamed “a scheduling issue” for the snafu in an email to THR.
Chong took to Twitter to address the situation, explaining that he would continue his support:
Today @BernieSanders invited me to speak at his rally and introduce him in Los Angeles.
— Tommy Chong (@tommychong) May 23, 2016
I have done lots of campaigning for Bernie, his causes, and the messaging his campaign staff has either emailed or contacted me directly on.
— Tommy Chong (@tommychong) May 23, 2016
This rally is in East Los Angeles, an area that I have lots of local fans and roots in.
— Tommy Chong (@tommychong) May 23, 2016
Unfortunately after months of support and endorsement videos, I have to report that @BernieSanders pulled away his invite to me.
— Tommy Chong (@tommychong) May 23, 2016
Hope to continue my support, reschedule, and continue activism, political change and promoting peace anywhere possible.
— Tommy Chong (@tommychong) May 23, 2016
