Tommy Chong endorses Sanders for 'commander in kush'

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., may have received his most potent endorsement yet -- from comedian Tommy Chong, who implored voters to choose Sanders a "commander in kush."

In a two-minute video posted to YouTube Friday evening, "a special announcement from Tommy Chong" started out by comparing the candidates in this year's Democratic presidential race to plants.

"There is one candidate who stands head and shoulders above them all," the sleepy-eyed comedian said. "Who has weathered many storms and is totally ready to be the commander in chief, or the commander in kush, as I like to say."

Chong embraced Sanders' views on immigration and a living wage -- and yes, marijuana legalization.

Chong -- of Cheech & Chong movie fame -- is a longtime activist for marijuana legalization. He is a contributor to Cannabis Culture Magazine, and sits on the advisory board for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Late last year, Chong told US Weekly he had been diagnosed with rectal cancer and was using marijuana to cope with treatment.

Chong is set to release his own strain of marijuana called "Chong's Choice."