Why is possessing paraphernalia illegal ?

Actually it's the term bong that Tommy Chong got arrested for. Apparently it means marijuana water pipe, but if you just call them water pipes then they are legal. That's why most head shops won't sell you a water pipe if you call it a bong. And as far as getting arrested for papers only if you have weed on you that's not true, you can get arrested for having rolling papers if you don't have tobacco on you to prove you're rolling tobacco. Now I'm not saying it will stand up in court, but they can arrest and and search you for having rolling papers if you don't have tobacco. Stay safe kiddies.

Thank you cannabisjoe it's nice to get a reasonable answer without being flamed.

All the best for clearing it up.