12 June 2012 - Comedian Tommy Chong, who is fighting to legalise marijuana in the US, told CNN the was diagnosed with cancer last month.

"I've got prostate cancer, and I'm treating it with hemp oil, with cannabis, so (legalising marijuana) means a lot more to me than just being able to smoke a joint without being arrested", he said.

The 74 year old Cheech & Chong star said that he began noticing health problems durind the three years he was off drugs.  "So I know it had nothing to do with cannabis. Cannabis is a cure," he said.

He told CNN he no longer smokes marijuana so he's been treating himself with hemp oil. He added he only ingested "at night, so I won't be woozy all day."