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Ed Forchion

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Edward Forchion (born Robert Edward Forchion, Jr July 23, 1964), also known as NJWeedman, is an American Rastafari cannabis rights and free speech activist, perennial candidate, actor, writer, and restaurateur.[1] He is the founder of the Legalize Marijuana Party. In 2020 he legally changed his name to NJ Weedman.[2]

Robert Edward Forchion Jr
Ed Forchion, also known as NJ Weedman, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, 2019
Born
Robert Edward Forchion Jr

(1964-07-23) July 23, 1964 (age 60)
Sicklerville, New Jersey, U.S.
Other namesNJ Weedman
Occupation(s)Activist, actor, writer, restaurateur
Known forCannabis rights activism
Political partyLegalize Marijuana Party

A resident of New Jersey and California, he is a registered medical cannabis user. He has been arrested and convicted for some of his activities and has mounted various legal defenses and challenges to laws regarding cannabis.

After his last arrest the state of New Jersey filed a motion on March 7, 2017, for pretrial detention to incarcerate Forchion until trial. Forchion held a hunger strike for nearly two weeks while being held without bail, calling himself a political prisoner.[3][4][5] The trial began October 26, 2017.[6] On November 8, the jury found him not guilty of one charge of second-degree witness tampering, and was hung on another charge in the third degree.[7] In January 2018, he was again denied bail, pending a re-trial.[8] His appeal to being denied bail and being released was denied in February 2018.[9] In May 2018, in the second trial, he was acquitted by a jury on charges of witness tampering.[10] He had spent 447 days in jail.[11]

Following the legalization of cannabis in New Jersey in 2021, Forchion began openly selling marijuana from an unlicensed store across from the city hall in Trenton. He has said he will not close his store.[12]

Later in 2021 Forchion began weed-friendly ventures in Florida.[13][14]

Personal life

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Forchion was born in Camden, New Jersey, in 1964[1] and grew up in Sicklerville.[15] He is a resident of Browns Mills in Pemberton Township, New Jersey. Forchion graduated from Edgewood Regional High School in 1982 and attended Claflin College (1983–1984). He was a member of the New Jersey National Guard (1982–1984) and United States Marine Corps (1986). He was a member of the U.S Army 1987-1990 as Edward Forchion. Forchion also owned and operated a trucking business - Forchion Trucking.

Forchion is a Rastafarian and has been using cannabis since he was a teen, in 2001 he was diagnosed with tumors in his knees and shoulders, which later become cancerous.[1] He is a registered medical cannabis user in California.[16] Forchion is a father of five children and is twice divorced.[17]

On August 25, 2005, while he was campaigning for Governor of New Jersey, Forchion’s home in Pemberton Township was vandalized during the night by someone who spray-painted a 6-foot cross together with the words “Get Jesus.” Burlington County police investigated the incident, calling it a hate crime because Forchion is a person of color. But Forchion told reporters that he thought he had been targeted because of his Rastafari religious beliefs, not because he is African American.[18]

NJ Weedman

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Forchion uses the moniker NJWeedman.[1] He has attempted to have his name legally changed to NJWeedman.com (his domain name), but was denied, first by the courts in New Jersey in 2004 and in another case in California in 2011, which cited, among other things, comity with New Jersey's ruling.[19][20]

On October 17 of 2022, a Mercer County, NJ judge approved his petition to change his name. NJWeedman.com expects his close friends and family will still call him "Ed," but he intends to otherwise make full use of his new name.[21]

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Forchion has been arrested several times and has mounted many legal challenges to his arrest and trials.[1]

Forchion was arrested for "intent to distribute" on November 24, 1997, in Bellmawr, New Jersey.[22][23] Forchion accepted a plea bargain for a 10-year state prison sentence in September 2000. In April 2002 he was released and admitted to New Jersey's intensive parole supervision program. State authorities claimed he violated terms of probation by filming several public service announcements advocating changes to New Jersey's drug laws and Forchion was held in jail. A federal judge later held that expulsion from the program and additional incarceration violated his free speech protections.[1]

In 2007 Forchion and his second wife Janice divorced and he moved to Los Angeles and successfully opened several marijuana dispensaries (Liberty Bell Temple I, Liberty Bell Temple II and the United States Collective - USC.

In 2010 Forchion was arrested in Mount Holly, New Jersey, after a traffic stop. He was charged with possession with intent to distribute and convicted of possession and sentenced to two years probation and a $2,500 fine. However, the jury couldn't reach a verdict on intent to distribute. A separate trial was convened.[24] and Forchion urged the jury to employ jury nullification to overturn an unjust law. The defense which proved effective and resulted in Forchion receiving a 12-0 verdict of acquittal.[25] Despite this victory, his conviction for possession led Forchion to later be convicted for violating the terms of probation, a sentence for which the judge jailed him for nine months, and for which he lost his appeal.[26][27][24] He was allowed out of custody intermittently to go to California for treatment of bone tumours (20 20-day periods of incarceration separated by 10-day periods of release). Forchion had a medical marijuana card from California and had argued that he was "convicted and sentenced to 270 days in jail only for bringing his legally prescribed medicine into the State of New Jersey."[28][29]

In 2012, federal agents in California raided his cannabis farm, confiscating the plants.[30][31] The case was eventually dismissed.[32]

Forchion was arrested April 15, 2013, in Evesham Township, New Jersey, for possession.[33] Forchion soon after published online his legal brief to the court (which contends that New Jersey laws on marijuana are contradictory) for use by others to fill-in and use in their own defense.[34]

Forchion was arrested on various charges in Trenton in 2016.[35] On March 3, 2017, Forchion was arrested and charged with second-degree witness tampering and third-degree witness tampering.[36] He was ordered to be held without bail;[37][38] his appeal for release was denied.[39][40] Forchion was placed in pre-trial detention at the Mercer County Correction Center in Hopewell, New Jersey.[41] Forchion began a hunger strike on June 12[42] and ending it June 27.[43] In July 2017, Forchion made a motion to review his detention saying that his attorney had misrepresented him and that material evidence would clarify that his intentions would not qualify as witness tampering.[44]

Petitions for review and petitions for certiorari

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Forchion, in a petition for review has asked the New Jersey Supreme Court for a discretionary review stemming from his conviction. He asked; "Should the holding in State v. Tate, 102 N.J. 64 (1986), barring the necessity defense for possession of marijuana for medical purposes, be modified or overruled?", claiming that the ruling was outdated.[45]

On March 8, 2016, Forchion and his lawyers filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court (US Supreme Court Docket – 15–8533) with ten questions for review regarding race and religion as it relates to cannabis.[46][47] The court declined.[48]

Political candidacy

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Forchion established the New Jersey Legalize Marijuana Party in 1998. In 2004, Forchion ran as a U.S. Marijuana Party candidate; In 2018 he ran as an independent candidate under the banner “Repeal Bail Reform;” In 2020 he ran as an independent candidate with no slogan; In 2021 Forchion ran under the slogan “HomeGrow 4All,” and in 2024 Weedman was a Legal Marijuana Now Party primary nominee, in addition to running as a Legalize Marijuana candidate in the following elections:

Liberty Bell Temple and restaurants

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Liberty Bell Temple II in Hollywood, next to Liberty Bell Lounge

Forchion has opened two temples, named Liberty Bell Temple II and Liberty Bell Temple III, which have been connected to adjacent restaurant lounges.[59][60] The names were inspired by the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. In 1993, when the U.S. Congress passed the (42 U.S.C. § 2000bb(a)) Religious Freedom and Restoration Act which allows for the religious use of marijuana on federal grounds during the course of a religious ceremony, Forchion initiated "smoke outs" or "smoke downs" at the national monument.

The restaurant NJWeedman's Joint in Trenton, New Jersey, opened in 2015.[61][62][63] and in 2016 was raided by local police and Forchion was arrested. The matter is subject of further litigation.[64][65][66] In February 2018, a judge dismissed 13 of 22 tickets for various violations, saying they were dispensed incorrectly.[67]

The restaurant reopened in May 2017 and was renamed "Weedbukx".[68] Starbucks informed Forchion and his partner that the logo for the new cafe was similar to theirs.[69][70]

The restaurant re-opened after Forchion's release in 2018, and is known as the Joint.[71]

 
NJWeedmans Dispensary & Restaurant

Since the legalization of cannabis in 2021, the restaurant has openly operated as a black market cannabis dispensary.[12] On 9/11/2020 he opened NJWeedman's Dispensary next to NJWeedman's Joint Restaurant 318-322 East State street. In Oct 2023 Trenton City passed a resolution officially accepting NJWeedman's Dispensary as legal.

Get On The Cannabus

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In September 2020, during one of his political campaigns for New Jersey public office and the legalization of marijuana on the ballot, Forchion started his potcast, Get On The Cannabus, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. The podcast interviews marijuana entrepreneurs and raffles off free cannabis products in what is known as the Reefer Raffle. When the podcast began, Forchion sold weed illegally on camera in protest of the unjust cannabis laws in New Jersey and America, in what he called "Selling Weed Like He's White." After multiple episodes, marijuana was legalized in New Jersey and NJ Weedman's Joint became the location of the first unofficial New Jersey Recreational Dispensary on January 1, 2021. The podcast is produced by Jordan Fried of LNH Studios and William "Gmunk" Saunders of Hamilton Radio and is guest hosted by the various budtenders at NJ Weedman's Joint.[72]

Miami

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The Joint of Miami

In the spring of 2021 NJWeedman surprisingly opened a 420 friendly nightclub in Miami (the wynnwood art district) called THE JOINT of MIAMI. A few months later he gave it to his son "KING".

Writing, film, television, and radio

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Forchion wrote Public Enemy #420, published in 2010,[73] and Politics of Pot, Jersey Style: The persecution prosecution of NJweedman in 2014.[74] He has written for The Trentonian.[75] Forchion has appeared in various television programs and documentaries including a filming version of The Emperor Wears No Clothes (2009), How Weed Won the West by Kevin Booth (2010), 1000 Ways to Die: Fatal Distractions (2010), Supreme Court of Comedy: Tony Rock vs. Harland Williams (2010) and Million Mask Movement by Vinu Joseph (2016). He has spoken for various podcasts and radio programs.[76][77]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Shea, Kevin (April 30, 2016). "NJ Weedman's long, strange trip as marijuana advocate". NJ.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  2. ^ "After 20 years, longtime N.J. Marijuana activist officially changes his name". October 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Duffy, Christie (June 19, 2017). "NJ nurse with adopted son who suffers from seizures calls for less strict marijuana laws". PIX11-TV News.
  4. ^ Hochron, Adam (June 22, 2017). "2nd week of hunger strike for NJ Weedman protesting his bail reform lock-up". New Jersey 101.5.
  5. ^ Levinsky, David (June 25, 2017). "Celebrity bounty hunters come to Burlington County to fight bail reform". Burlington County Times. Archived from the original on June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017. The pair cited the case of Pemberton Township native Ed Forchion, better known as NJWeedman, who has been held in Mercer County jail since March while awaiting trial for charges of witness tampering. He is currently engaged in a hunger strike to protest his inability to post bail. During Sunday's town hall, Chapman said he recently spoke to Forchion via phone in jail and considered him to be a political prisoner. "The guy is in jail for nothing and he's being held like Al Capone," he said. "This is a politically held prisoner under the new New Jersey bail law."
  6. ^ "Trial of NJ Weedman, who is representing himself, is underway". NJ.com. October 26, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  7. ^ "NJ Weedman not guilty on 1 witness tampering count, jury hung on 2nd". November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
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  15. ^ a b c Murphy, Bridget. "ONE ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE BRINGS NEW MEANING TO GREEN PARTY", The Press of Atlantic City, October 30, 1999. Accessed June 16, 2013. "Forchion, who grew up in the Sicklerville area and has four children, is currently working at a manufacturing plant in Hammonton."
  16. ^ Rabiner, Stephanie (May 11, 2012). "'NJWeedman' Convicted of Pot Possession". FindLaw. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  17. ^ a b O'DEA, COLLEEN. "The candidates for New Jersey's 12th Congressional District — NewsWorks". Newsworks.org. Archived from the original on January 14, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  18. ^ Sheibley, Lauri (August 26, 2005). "Police Investigating an Apparent Hate Crime". Burlington County Times. Marijuana activist Ed Forchion says his family woke up yesterday morning to find someone had spray-painted a 6-foot cross on the side of his house with the words "Get Jesus." Police are investigating the incident as an apparent hate crime. Forchion, who once tried to have his name changed to NJ Weedman, said his wife and children discovered the cross and message at 7 a.m. on the garage door of their Hanover Boulevard home. First Assistant Burlington County Prosecutor Ray Milavsky said police are investigating the incident as a bias crime, which is defined as one in which a victim is targeted because of race, religion, sexual orientation or national origin. Forchion, who is black, said he does not view the cross as a racial threat. Instead, he said he sees it as a protest against his religion. Forchion is a follower of Rastafarianism, a religious movement that arose in Jamaica in the 1950s. Followers use marijuana as a sacrament.
  19. ^ LeRoy Miller, Roger (2014), "Can a sole proprietor change his name to match his domain name?", Business Law Today, Comprehensive: Text and Cases: Diverse, Ethical, Online, and Global Environment (10 ed.), Cengage Learning, p. 718, ISBN 9781285974422
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  21. ^ Nark, Jason (October 20, 2022), After 20 years, longtime N.J. marijuana activist officially changes his name
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  27. ^ Friedman, Matt (August 7, 2015). "NJ Weedman loses appeal of marijuana conviction". Politico. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  28. ^ Davis, Mike (November 8, 2013). "NJ Weedman asks Gov. Christie to waive staggered prison term so he can receive cancer treatment". NJ.com. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
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  30. ^ Associated Press (April 28, 2016). "NJ Weedman arrested again, for pot". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  31. ^ Romero, Dennis (December 29, 2011). "NJ Weedman's Marijuana Dispensary Liberty Bell Temple II Raided by DEA, He Says". Retrieved May 30, 2017.
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  41. ^ Mullane, JD (May 3, 2017). "Peaceful, patriotic pothead Ed Forchion calls from jail". Burlington County Times. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
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  45. ^ Certification From a Final Judgment of the Defendant-Appellant : Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate : Division (Docket no. 076425) (PDF). Retrieved May 20, 2017.
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  60. ^ "Home". Liberty Bell Temple III. Archived from the original on May 31, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  61. ^ Haddon, Heather; Weiss, Jennifer (August 18, 2015). "High Times in Trenton: A Temple Lights Up". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  62. ^ Rojas, Cristina (June 15, 2015). "'NJ Weedman's Joint' opens in Trenton with $4.20 specials". NJ.com. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  63. ^ Ray, Penny (May 25, 2015). "NJ Weedman opens restaurant, sanctuary across the street from Trenton City Hall". The Trentonian. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  64. ^ Rojas, Cristina (August 9, 2016). "NJ Weedman indicted on 11 drug charges from raid of his Trenton restaurant". NJ.com. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
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  66. ^ Nelson, Steven (May 25, 2016). "Man Arrested for Calling Cop 'Pedophile' Says the Law Allows It". U.S. News & World Report.
  67. ^ "Judge dismisses 13 tickets against NJ Weedman". NJ.com. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  68. ^ Lacsamana, Pauline (March 24, 2017). "A Marijuana-Themed Restaurant in New Jersey Is Relaunching as 'Weedbukx' Next Month". The Daily Meal. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  69. ^ Merriman, Anna (March 23, 2017). "New logo for NJ Weedman's restaurant may look a bit familiar". NJ.com. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  70. ^ Shea, Kevin (May 15, 2017). "NJ Weedman hears from Starbucks about his joint's new logo". NJ.com. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  71. ^ Ebenau, Vin (December 4, 2018). "Jackson man found lying on front lawn revived with narcan after O-D". 94.3 The Point. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  72. ^ Get On The Cannabus"Get on the Cannabus | Podcast Hosted by ed "NJ Weedman" Forchion - LNH Studios (@latenighthump)".
  73. ^ Forchion Jr, Ras R. Edward; Booker, Daniel (2010), Public Enemy #420, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, ISBN 9781450530316
  74. ^ Forchion Jr, Robert Edward (2014). "Politics of Pot, Jersey Style: The persecution prosecution of NJweedman". Amazon. ASIN B00MO6KUUS. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
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  76. ^ "#njweedman". Spreaker. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
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Further reading

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