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Fact check: Did cheech and chong meet in alberta, canada?
1. Summary of the results
Based on the analyses provided, Cheech and Chong did meet in Canada, but not specifically in Alberta. Multiple sources confirm that Cheech Marin fled to Canada to avoid the Vietnam War draft and met Tommy Chong there [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. The sources consistently state that they met through an improv troupe and felt an immediate connection [2] [3] [5].
However, there is conflicting information about the exact location within Canada. One source specifically states that they met at Chong's family strip club in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1969 [6], which directly contradicts the Alberta claim. While one source mentions Cheech Marin's past as a potter in Alberta [7], this appears to be separate from where the duo actually met.
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original question lacks important geographical specificity that the sources reveal. Tommy Chong grew up in Calgary, Alberta [1], which may explain some confusion about the Alberta connection. However, the most specific location mentioned is Vancouver, British Columbia, where they reportedly met at Chong's family strip club [6].
The sources also provide crucial historical context missing from the original question: Cheech Marin's flight to Canada was specifically to avoid the Vietnam War draft [1] [2] [3] [4] [5], which explains why an American comedian ended up in Canada in the first place. This anti-war context significantly shaped their meeting and early relationship.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question contains a geographical inaccuracy. While the sources confirm they met in Canada, the specific claim about Alberta appears to be incorrect based on the available evidence. The most credible specific location mentioned is Vancouver, British Columbia [6], not Alberta.
The question may reflect common misconceptions that arise from conflating different aspects of their Canadian experience - Tommy Chong's Calgary upbringing [1] and Cheech Marin's time as a potter in Alberta [7] with their actual meeting location. This type of geographical confusion is common when discussing celebrities with connections to multiple locations within the same country.