Tag Archives: NJ Weedman

Ed ‘NJWeedman’ Forchion Wages His Own War on Drugs – Sues the State of New Jersey Over ‘Bait and Switch’ Cannabis Regulation Laws

TRENTON, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- The 'war on drugs' has just taken a wicked left turn. On Friday, November 20, 2020, one of marijuana's staunchest supporters, Ed "NJWeedman" Forchion held an online press conference at his NJWeedman's Joint location, contesting New Jersey's recent legalization of cannabis. Forchion announced his federal lawsuit against New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, accusing the state of baiting New Jersey citizens into voting for the legalization of a corporate, Caucasian run cannabis industry, under the guise of legalizing marijuana.

Forchion notes that under the current developing legislation, marijuana will still be illegal and in fact, criminalized, in underserved communities.

View Case 3:20-cv-16582-PGS-TJB FORCHION v. MURPHY at: http://njweedman.com/Federal_Cannabis_lawsuit.pdf.

In a 40 plus page document, filed at the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Forchion seeks to have the "Court declare unconstitutional and invalid the application and implementation of the 'Constitutional Amendment to Legalize Marijuana.'" Forchion asserts that the Regulated Cannabis Act, as the amendment is referred to in the lawsuit, "deprives him of equal protection and due process under the United States Constitution and subjects him to selective prosecution."

Forchion notes that the state unfairly allows Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act (CUMMA) dispensaries to possess large amounts of marijuana in violation of federal law while prosecuting individuals such as himself. Forchion, a long-time marijuana activist, has had numerous marijuana related prosecutions brought against him by the State of New Jersey, including a pending matter.

In addition, Forchion proposes that voters were duped into believing that they were voting to legalize marijuana, while unwittingly sanctioning a cannabis industry which only grants legalization to a majority of Caucasian owned corporate entities while criminalizing individuals of color, who in effect will not be granted similar market access.

"This new Caucasian corporate cannabis industry is a sham," apprizes Forchion. "Politicians are in cahoots with corporations to take over and control what is now a multi-billion-dollar industry while excluding the existing marijuana market. We are witnessing systematic discrimination. Only 'regulated cannabis' which is defined as the pot sold by dealers licensed by a new bureaucracy called the Cannabis Regulatory Commission will be allowed in the marketplace. But individuals possessing and selling marijuana - such as myself, will still be in violation of the law. The community that paved the road for legalization and paid the price with incarceration and felonies, are being locked out of the 'new' industry and will continue to be locked up."

"It's the cocaine vs. crack dilemma all over again," explains Forchion, "similar to the war on drugs when prison sentences were handed down to people of color for using crack cocaine, while individuals, who were most notably white, were hardly prosecuted for using powder cocaine. Our State Attorney General Gurbir Grewal is on record stating that the new amendment does not authorize 'unregulated marijuana.' New Jersey is subtly creating a distinction between 'marijuana' for the masses versus state 'regulated cannabis' for the establishment," cites Forchion.

New Jersey has come under mounting criticism since the recent passing of legalization. Politicians, community activists and the media have taken the state to task for attempting to push through a corporatized cannabis culture that doesn't seem to best serve its constituents. Headlines have drawn attention to the state's blatant interest in profits over compassion. In fact, lawmakers' first attempt at enabling legislation has been halted amid growing criticism. The number of licenses set aside for Black and Latino communities in the bill has been widely criticized and advocates have demanded more opportunities be extended for people with criminal records for low-level drug convictions.

Forchion, whose lawsuit positions him squarely amid the ongoing conflict, is no newcomer to battle. At cited in his lawsuit, he has been vehemently retaliated against in the past by the State of New Jersey. In 2002, he was jailed for advocating the legalization of marijuana. Forchion was held at the Burlington County Jail from August 19, 2002 until late January 2003 when United States District Court Federal Judge Joseph E. Irenas, U.S.D.J., hearing his civil rights suit, agreed that the state had violated Forchion's First Amendment right to advocate marijuana's legalization and ordered him released.

In 2016, Forchion and his partner, Debi Madaio, had their restaurant raided by Mercer County law enforcement authorities on marijuana dealing charges. Forchion was held without bail for over 400 days due to the retaliatory charge of witness tampering. He was acquitted by a jury and all charges were dismissed with no convictions.

Sign the NJWeedman's Joint Change.org petition at https://www.change.org/p/phil-murphy-demand-gov-phil-murphy-grant-njweedman-s-joint-a-recreational-cannabis-license.

Follow Ed "NJWeedman" Forchion across all social media at @NJWeedman and at https://www.njweedman.com/.

Photo Link: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/FZVfvV.jpg

MEDIA CONTACT:
Makeda Smith
Jazzmyne Public Relations
makeda@jazzmynepr.com
Phone Number: 323-380-8819

The 'war on drugs' has just taken a wicked left turn. On Friday, November 20, 2020, one of marijuana's staunchest supporters, Ed "NJWeedman" Forchion held an online press conference at his NJWeedman's Joint location, contesting New Jersey's recent legalization of cannabis. (Case 3:20-cv-16582-PGS-TJB FORCHION v. MURPHY.)

Related link: https://www.facebook.com/NJWEEDMAN

Political Pot Prisoner Ed Forchion Ends Hunger Strike, Secures Bail Detention Hearing

TRENTON, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- For over 125 days, New Jersey's most prominent cannabis and bail reform activist Ed Forchion aka NJ Weedman, has languished in a Mercer County cell, held with no bail. On Wednesday, July 12, and Thursday, July 13, at 1 p.m. Forchion finally gets his day in court per a Bail Detention Hearing. Mercer County Court is located at 400 South Warren St in Trenton. Media and supporters are encouraged to attend.

It is sure to be a pivotal moment as new bail law reformists and cannabis activists around the world will be taking notice. Forchion, who is a jury nullification advocate, will represent himself in court.

As one of the more vocal casualties of New Jersey's controversial New Bail Reform law, Forchion's case has garnered international attention as the ethics of the law are being publicly debated. Under the state's new law, which went into effect January 1, officials cite that certain conditions can warrant pre-trial detention, like danger to the community, flight risk or threat to a witness. Opponents, including a wide contingency of bail bond agents, argue that the law denies defendants their constitutional right to bail.

NJ Weedman, the noted "Super Hero of the Potheads" recently ended a two week plus "Hunger Strike for Bail" at the prompting of celebrity bondsman / bounty hunter, Duane "Dog" Chapman, star of the reality TV show, "Dog the Bounty Hunter." Forchion initiated the strike to call national media attention to the New Jersey New Bail Reform Law. With the divisive law inciting a massive uproar, Chapman is positioned as one of its outspoken challengers. Chapman and his wife recently traveled from Hawaii to speak at a town hall meeting on bail reform in Edgewater, NJ and made trips to the Statehouse in Trenton as well, speaking in front of a panel regarding the New Bail Reform. Governor Chris Christie refused to meet with them.

Cites Forchion, "This isn't about cannabis it is about the constitution. For over 200 years The US Constitution guaranteed bail and now Governor Chris Christie has eviscerated it with the NJ Bail Reform Act. I am a political prisoner that has been unconstitutionally detained since March 3, 2017."

Forchion's long standing battle for marijuana law reform has been documented for over two decades. Considered by many as the "grandfather of marijuana reform in New Jersey," Forchion is a bone cancer patient who states he needs marijuana for his symptoms.

This most recent detainment stems from an early March arrest related to witness tampering. Forchion, after learning the name of a confidential informant, posted the information, with his lawyer's clearance, on Facebook. The original charges against Forchion were related to a raid last year on the popular New Jersey eatery, NJWeedman's Joint. Forchion co-owns the restaurant with his partner, Debi Madaio.

To keep abreast of Ed Forchion's battle, follow his page on Facebook at "Ed Forchion." Concerned citizens can support the cause with contributions to his PayPal account at NJWeedmans_Joint@yahoo.com.

A barbeque fundraiser and birthday celebration is scheduled for Ed Forchion on his birthday, at 4:20 p.m. ET on July 23 at NJWeedman's Joint at 322 E. State St. in Trenton, NJ. Follow NJWeedman's Joint on Facebook at "NJWeedman's Joint" for updates and details.

Check out the footage of medical marijuana mom activist Debi Madaio as she campaigns for Forchion's support at the Bounty Hunter's Bail Reform Town Hall Meeting with Duane "Dog" Chapman at https://youtu.be/4N7R4h-iiyM.

Edward Forchion (NJweedman) on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NJWEEDMAN

Media Contact:
Makeda Smith
Jazzmyne Public Relations
makeda@jazzmynepr.com
Phone: 323-380-8819

For over 125 days, New Jersey's most prominent cannabis and bail reform activist Ed Forchion aka NJ Weedman, has languished in a Mercer County cell, held with no bail. On Wednesday, July 12, and Thursday, July 13, at 1 p.m. Forchion finally gets his day in court per a Bail Detention Hearing. Mercer County Court is located at 400 South Warren St in Trenton. Media and supporters are encouraged to attend.

Related link: https://www.facebook.com/NJWEEDMAN

New Jersey Political Prisoner NJ Weedman Does ‘Hunger Strike for Bail’ from Mercer County Jail

TRENTON, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- Is orange the new green? Cannabis activist, cancer patient and self-proclaimed "Superhero of the Potheads" Ed Forchion aka "NJ Weedman" might well be pondering this dilemma as he sits out his "Hunger Strike for Bail" protest in New Jersey's Mercer County Jail.

The free speech activist was originally incarcerated on March 3, 2017 and is being held without bail on charges of witness tampering. Forchion has since filed a Federal Writ of Habeas Corpus in U.S. Federal District Court of Trenton New Jersey (Case No. 317CV02669PGS) claiming a tragic violation of his civil rights under New Jersey's new bail reform laws. Forchion has gone without food for over 11 days.

The charges were filed after Forchion, per the approval of his former attorney, posted the name and photo of a police informant on his Facebook page, requesting the public to help him find information on the man. Forchion believed the individual was a paid informant, hired by the Trenton Police, to build a drug case against him. Under New Jersey's new bail reform laws, which went into effect January 1, officials cite that certain conditions can warrant pre-trial detention, like danger to the community, flight risk or threat to a witness.

"I am a peaceful, proud and patriotic pothead," cites Forchion. "Yet I have sat here for over 100 days in a cell while watching real criminals, like murderers and rapists, get released daily on bail. Nothing I did was illegal," Forchion has stated from jail. "Nothing I did was wrong. In fact, I actually thought I was in accordance with the law per the advice of my attorney." (Forchion's attorney has since been removed from the case per his own request.)

Forchion's long standing battle for marijuana law reform has been documented for over two decades. Considered by many as the "grandfather of marijuana reform in New Jersey," Forchion is a bone cancer patient who states he needs marijuana for his symptoms. Forchion's most recent travails with the Trenton Police Department have shined an international media spotlight on the state's current cannabis policy. Forchion contends he is political prisoner due to the "politics of pot Jersey style."

Amongst his many trials and tribulations over the years, Forchion pleaded guilty in 2000 to charges of conspiracy to distribute and marijuana possession and was released on parole after serving 18 months on a reduced sentence. He was arrested again in Burlington County, N.J., in 2010 on marijuana possession and distribution charges. He has fought those charges. Forchion argued his medical condition gave him a "medical necessity" defense to possess and appealed the decision to the NJ Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Forchion achieved Hollywood notoriety when he opened a marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles in 2008, saying it was a temple that used marijuana as part of its religious ceremonies. The California temple was shut down after a federal drug raid in 2011.

Currently Forchion, a Rastafarian, is the co-owner of New Jersey's only cannabis-themed restaurant, NJWeedman's Joint and a spiritual sanctuary, Liberty Bell Temple III, located directly across from New Jersey's Trenton City Hall. He opened the businesses, alongside his partner, medical marijuana mom activist and registered nurse, Debi Madaio. The restaurant and sanctuary receive not only a steady stream of customers but also worldwide media attention.

Follow Ed Forchion's court case on Facebook at "Ed Forchion". Concerned citizens can support the cause with contributions to his PayPal account at NJWeedmans_Joint@yahoo.com.

Witness the most recent court proceedings at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJexiSU0SFE and check for Debi Madaio's interview about the matter on New York's PIX11 at http://pix11.com/2017/06/19/nj-nurse-with-adopted-son-who-suffers-from-seizures-calls-for-less-strict-marijuana-laws/ .

A barbeque fundraiser and birthday celebration is scheduled for Ed Forchion on his birthday, July 23 at NJWeedman's Joint at 322 E. State St. in Trenton, N.J. Follow NJWeedman's Joint on Facebook at "NJWeedman's Joint" for updates and details.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Makeda Smith
Jazzmyne Public Relations
makeda@jazzmynepr.com
323-380-8819

Is orange the new green? Cannabis activist, cancer patient and self-proclaimed "Superhero of the Potheads" Ed Forchion aka "NJ Weedman" might well be pondering this dilemma as he sits out his "Hunger Strike for Bail" protest in New Jersey's Mercer County Jail.

Related link: https://www.facebook.com/NJWEEDMAN