Comedian Tommy Chong has announced that he is battling prostate cancer. Chong, best known for his stints as Cheech and Chong, told CNN's Don Lemon that he was diagnosed with slow stage 1 prostate cancer one month ago. He has reportedly been treating his cancer with hemp oil.

Chong said. "I've got prostate cancer, and I'm treating it with hemp oil, with cannabis. So [legalizing marijuana] means a lot more to me than just being able to smoke a joint without being arrested."

The 74-year-old comedian said he started to have symptoms about eight years ago but had the prostate-related problems since he became drug-free, which was about three years ago. So he explained that the it had nothing to do with cannabis, but that it was a cure instead. "Cannabis is a cure," he said.

The comedian said he has stopped smoking marijuana about a year ago and that he is not smoking it to treat his cancer. But he said he ingests the hemp oil at night as medicine so he won't be "woozy all day."

The iconic comedy duo Cheech & Chong reached their success in stand-up comedy which led to 9 hit comedy albums and 8 hit films. They broke box office records and comedy album sales. They received the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, "Los Cochinos", which was released in 1973.

Despite Chong's health condition, he will embark on the Cheech & Chong tour on June 15. This will be their first tour in 25 years.