New book reflects prison's effect on Chong

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Actor/comedian Tommy Chong says his nine months in a California prison for selling drug paraphernalia changed his life.

In his new book, "The I Chong: Meditations from the Joint," Chong, 67, details the impact his arrest for shipping glass pipes beyond state lines had on him, the Palm Springs (Calif.) Desert Sun reported Wednesday.

"Whenever I've learned a big lesson in my life, it's because I made a mistake," Chong added. "You never learn from triumphs."

Chong was arrested in 2003 along with 54 others as part of the Drug Enforcement Agency's Operation Pipe Dreams, but was the only person sent to prison.

The book details the "That 70's Show" actor's time in prison and his new philosophical outlook toward life now that his year of parole has ended.