Ed Forchion

Forchion was born in Camden, New Jersey, in 1964 and grew up in the Sicklerville section of Winslow Township, New Jersey.Murphy, Bridget. [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAEAEFC11A3ED9F&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "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." 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).Nark, Jason. [https://jasonnark.com/2020/02/the-weedman-at-50/ "The Weedman at 50."], JasonNark.com. Accessed December 24, 2024. "In 1982, he graduated from Edgewood Regional High School in Winslow, and briefly attended Claflin University in South Carolina before joining the U.S. Army." 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. He is a registered medical cannabis user in California.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_life/2012/05/njweedman-convicted-of-pot-possession.html |title='NJWeedman' Convicted of Pot Possession |work=FindLaw |date=May 11, 2012 |access-date=May 21, 2017 |author=Rabiner, Stephanie }} Forchion is a father of five children and is twice divorced.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/new-jersey-spotlight/98591-in-crowded-12th-challengers-praise-democratic-incumbent|title=The candidates for New Jersey's 12th Congressional District — NewsWorks|first=COLLEEN|last=O'DEA|website=Newsworks.org|access-date=May 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114001126/http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/new-jersey-spotlight/98591-in-crowded-12th-challengers-praise-democratic-incumbent|archive-date=January 14, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

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.{{cite journal|title=Police Investigating an Apparent Hate Crime |date=August 26, 2005 |journal=Burlington County Times |author=Sheibley, Lauri | quote=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.}}

Forchion uses the moniker NJWeedman. 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.{{Citation | last = LeRoy Miller | first = Roger | title = Can a sole proprietor change his name to match his domain name? | work = Business Law Today, Comprehensive: Text and Cases: Diverse, Ethical, Online, and Global Environment | publisher = Cengage Learning | year = 2014 | edition = 10 | page = 718 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=T0LAAgAAQBAJ&q=NJWeedman+name+change | isbn = 9781285974422 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/In+CACO+20110901041/IN+RE+FORCHION|title=IN RE FORCHION - 198 Cal.App.4th 1284 (2011) - Leagle.com|access-date=16 May 2017}}

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.{{Citation | last = Nark | first = Jason | title = After 20 years, longtime N.J. marijuana activist officially changes his name | date = October 20, 2022 | url = https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/marijuana-weed-activism-cannabis-newjersey-dispensary-20221020.html }}

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

Forchion was arrested for "intent to distribute" on November 24, 1997, in Bellmawr, New Jersey.{{cite news | last=Forchion | first=Ed | title=NJ Weedman | work=Dope Magazine | date=November 3, 2015 | url=http://www.dopemagazine.com/nj-weedman/ | access-date=27 May 2017 | archive-date=February 23, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223060830/http://www.dopemagazine.com/nj-weedman/ | url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last= Riley |first=Clint |title=Three men arrested on Marijuana Charges | publisher=Courier Post |date=November 25, 1997 |url=http://www.njweedman.com/arrest.htm | access-date = 27 May 2017}} 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.

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. 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.{{cite web |title=Jury upends marijuana law, NJWEEDMAN walks free |date=October 20, 2012 |author=Jeff Edelstein |publisher=The Trentonian |url=http://www.trentonian.com/article/TT/20121020/OPINION03/121029999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330234535/http://www.trentonian.com/article/TT/20121020/OPINION03/121029999 |archive-date=March 30, 2017 |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://november.org/thewall/cases/forchion-a/forchion-a.html|title=Ed Forchion the New Jersey Weedman, prisoner of the war on drugs|website=november.org|date=April 18, 2011|access-date=16 May 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2015/08/nj-weedman-loses-appeal-of-marijuana-conviction-091624|title=NJ Weedman loses appeal of marijuana conviction|work=Politico|date=August 7, 2015|access-date=21 May 2017|author=Friedman, Matt}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/nj_weedman_taking_marijuana_conviction_to_high_cou.html|title=NJ Weedman taking marijuana conviction to high court|work=NJ.com|date=August 8, 2015|access-date=21 May 2017|author=Spoto, MaryAnn}} 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."{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2013/11/nj_weedman_asks_gov_christie_to_waive_staggered_prison_term_so_he_can_receive_cancer_treatment.html|title=NJ Weedman asks Gov. Christie to waive staggered prison term so he can receive cancer treatment|work=NJ.com |date=November 8, 2013 |access-date=25 May 2017 |author=Davis, Mike}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2014/01/nj_weedman_released_from_jail_after_judge_reconsiders_his_sentence.html|title=NJ Weedman released from jail after judge reconsiders his sentence|date=January 31, 2014 |access-date=November 10, 2017}}

In 2012, federal agents in California raided his cannabis farm, confiscating the plants.{{cite web|url=http://www.app.com/story/news/crime/jersey-mayhem/2016/04/28/nj-weedman-arrested-pot/83681978/|title=NJ Weedman arrested again, for pot|work=Asbury Park Press|date=April 28, 2016|access-date=21 May 2017|author=Associated Press}}{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/news/nj-weedmans-marijuana-dispensary-liberty-bell-temple-ii-raided-by-dea-he-says-2394433|title=NJ Weedman's Marijuana Dispensary Liberty Bell Temple II Raided by DEA, He Says|first=Dennis|last=Romero|date=29 December 2011|access-date=30 May 2017}} The case was eventually dismissed.{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141007005231/en/LibertyBell-Lawyers-Federal-Case-Dismissed-Marijuana-Grow|title=LibertyBell Lawyers Get Federal Case Dismissed for Marijuana Grow|website=www.businesswire.com|date=October 7, 2014 |access-date=30 May 2017}}

Forchion was arrested April 15, 2013, in Evesham Township, New Jersey, for possession.{{cite web|url=http://nj1015.com/nj-weedman-ed-forchion-arrested-for-pot-possession/|title=NJ Weedman Ed Forchion Arrested for Pot Possession|website=New Jersey 101.5 – New Jersey News Radio|date=April 17, 2013 |access-date=21 May 2017}} 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.{{cite news | last = Edelstein | first = Jeff | title = Marijuana defense of the NJWeedman is working | work = The Trentonian | date = June 30, 2013 | url = http://www.trentonian.com/article/TT/20130630/OPINION03/130639999 | access-date = 27 May 2017 | archive-date = May 12, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140512094114/http://www.trentonian.com/article/TT/20130630/OPINION03/130639999 | url-status = dead }}

Forchion was arrested on various charges in Trenton in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2016/08/nj_weedman_indicted_on_11_drug_charges_authorities.html|title=NJ Weedman indicted on 11 drug charges from raid of his Trenton restaurant|work=NJ.com |date=August 9, 2016 |access-date=21 May 2017 |author=Rojas, Cristina}} On March 3, 2017, Forchion was arrested and charged with second-degree witness tampering and third-degree witness tampering.{{citation | last = Merrman | first =Anna web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2017/03/nj_weedman_says_hes_being_arrested_for_witness_tam.html|title=NJ Weedman goes live on Facebook as cops arrest him| date =March 3, 2017|publisher= nj.com |access-date=1 June 2017}} He was ordered to be held without bail;{{cite news | title = Ed Forchion Denied Pretrial Release | publisher = Fully Informed Jury Association | date = March 30, 2017 | url = http://fija.org/2017/03/30/ed-forchion-denied-pretrial-release/ | access-date = 7 June 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170624171213/http://fija.org/2017/03/30/ed-forchion-denied-pretrial-release/ | archive-date = June 24, 2017 | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | last = Merriman | first = Anna | title = NJ Weedman will stay locked up on witness tampering charges, judge rules | publisher = nj.com | date = March 7, 2017 | url = http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2017/03/judge_rules_to_keep_nj_weedman_locked_up.html | access-date = 1 June 2017}} his appeal for release was denied.{{cite web | last = Merrman | first =Anna |url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2017/03/nj_weedman_appeals_decision_to_leave_him_in_the_joint.html|title=NJ Weedman appeals decision to leave him in the joint| date =March 18, 2017 |publisher= nj.com|access-date=1 June 2017}}{{citation | last = Merrman | first =Anna web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2017/04/nj_weedmans_appeal_for_release_denied.html|title=NJ Weedman spends 4/20 locked up after losing bail appeal| date =April 20, 2017|publisher= nj.com|access-date=1 June 2017}} Forchion was placed in pre-trial detention at the Mercer County Correction Center in Hopewell, New Jersey.{{cite web|url=http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/opinion/columnist/jd-mullane/mullane-peaceful-patriotic-pothead-ed-forchion-calls-from-jail/article_31da44ee-2f53-11e7-ae54-63eabc4036b6.html|title=Peaceful, patriotic pothead Ed Forchion calls from jail|date=May 3, 2017|work=Burlington County Times|author=Mullane, JD|access-date=May 23, 2017|archive-date=July 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705114140/http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/opinion/columnist/jd-mullane/mullane-peaceful-patriotic-pothead-ed-forchion-calls-from-jail/article_31da44ee-2f53-11e7-ae54-63eabc4036b6.html|url-status=dead}} Forchion began a hunger strike on June 12{{cite news|last=Kent|first=Spencer|title=NJ Weedman in 2nd week of jail hunger strike after being denied bail|publisher=NJ.com|date= June 23, 2017|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2017/06/nj_weedman_continues_hunger_strike_over_his_bail_r.html|access-date=23 June 2017}} and ending it June 27.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2017/06/nj_weedman_ends_jail_hunger_strike_at_urging_of_do.html|title=NJ Weedman ends jail hunger strike at urging of 'Dog the Bounty Hunter'|date=June 27, 2017 |access-date=13 July 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2017/07/nj_weedman_may_be_release_from_pre-trial_detention.html|title=NJ Weedman back in court trying to get out of jail|date=July 13, 2017 |access-date=13 July 2017}}

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.{{cite book|title=Certification From a Final Judgment of the Defendant-Appellant : Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate : Division (Docket no. 076425)|url =http://norml.org/pdf_files/brief_bank/NJ_v_Edward_R_Forchion_certifBrief.pdf|access-date=20 May 2017}}

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.{{cite press release|url=https://californianewswire.com/cannabis-activist-ed-forchion-challenges-n-j-on-race-and-religion-before-the-u-s-supreme-court/|title=Cannabis Activist Ed Forchion Challenges N.J. on Race and Religion Before the U.S. Supreme Court – California Newswire|first=Valerie|last=Gotten|date=5 April 2016|access-date=21 May 2017|archive-date=April 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416015335/http://californianewswire.com/cannabis-activist-ed-forchion-challenges-n-j-on-race-and-religion-before-the-u-s-supreme-court/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://nj1015.com/u-s-supreme-court-may-hear-nj-weedmans-appeal-of-marijuana-conviction/|title=U.S. Supreme Court may hear NJ Weedman's appeal of marijuana conviction|website=New Jersey 101.5 – New Jersey News Radio|date=May 10, 2016 |access-date=21 May 2017}} The court declined.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2016/05/us_supreme_court_declines_to_hear_nj_weedmans_case.html|title=U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear NJ Weedman's case|date=May 17, 2016 |access-date=13 July 2017}}

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:

• United States House of Representatives for NJ Congressional District 1 in 1998, and 2000{{cite news| title=Official List Candidate Returns for House of Representatives For November 1998 General Election | publisher=New Jersey Department of State | date=December 1, 1998| url=http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/1998-gen-elect-results-us--house.pdf }}{{cite news| title = Official List Candidate Returns for House of Representatives For November 2000 General Election | publisher = New Jersey Department of State | date = April 17, 2008 | url = http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2000-general-elect-house-candidate-tallies.pdf | access-date = 27 May 2017}}
• New Jersey State Assembly, Legislative District 8 in 1999 and 2011{{cite news | title = 8th Legislative District Part of Atlantic, Burlington and Camden Counties | publisher = New Jersey Department of State | date = April 17, 2008 | url = http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/2011-results/2011-gen-elect-results-8th-leg-district-municipality-112911.pdf | access-date = 27 May 2017}}
• Camden County Freeholder in 1999
• Burlington County Freeholder in 2000, and 2004{{cite news| title=2004 General Election Burlington County Final Results | publisher=New Jersey Department of State | date=November 30, 2004| url=http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2004-burlington_co_final_results.pdf }}
• United States House of Representatives for NJ Congressional District 3 in 2004, and 2012{{cite web|url=http://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/Election-Statistics/|title=Election Statistics, 1920 to Present – US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives|website=history.house.gov|access-date=29 May 2017}} An attempt to get on the ballot in 2014 was unsuccessful{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2014/06/nj_weedman_files_suit_in_attempt_to_make_ballot_for_open_congressional_seat.html|title=N.J. Weedman files suit in attempt to make ballot for open congressional seat|publisher= NJ.com |date=June 16, 2014 |access-date=18 May 2017 |author=McGrath, Brendan}}
• Governor of New Jersey in 2005,{{cite web|url=http://www.njweedman.com/pressrelease_governor.htm|title=Legalize Marijuana Party|website=www.njweedman.com|access-date=21 May 2017}} and 2021
• United States Senate for New Jersey in 2006{{cite web|url=https://transition.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2006/2006senate.pdf|title=Official Election Results for United States Senate – 2006 U.S. Senate Campaigns|access-date=29 May 2017}}
• United States House of Representatives for NJ Congressional District 12 in 2016,{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/new-jersey-house-district-12-watson-coleman-uccio|title=New Jersey U.S. House 12th District Results: Bonnie Watson Coleman Wins|work=The New York Times |date=December 13, 2016 |access-date=16 May 2017}} and 2020
• New Jersey State Assembly, Legislative District 15 in 2018
• President of the United States in 2024{{cite web|url=https://www.dl-online.com/news/local/heres-how-the-primary-election-vote-went-in-becker-and-otter-tail-counties |title=Here's how the Primary Election vote went in Becker and Otter Tail counties: Voter turnout in Becker and Otter Tail counties neared 17% for presidential primary |date=7 March 2024 |author=Porter, Barbie |work=Detroit Lakes Tribune}}

File:Liberty Bell Temple 1.jpg

Forchion has opened two temples, named Liberty Bell Temple II and Liberty Bell Temple III, which have been connected to adjacent restaurant lounges.{{cite web|url=http://virtualonlineeditions.com/display_article.php?id=486178|title=Njweedman's Liberty Bell Temple ii Raided By Lapd|work=The Los Angeles Journal For Education On Medical Marijuana |date=September 2010 |access-date=25 May 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.libertybelltemple3.com/|title=Home|website=Liberty Bell Temple III|access-date=21 May 2017|archive-date=May 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531143736/http://www.libertybelltemple3.com/|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/high-times-in-trenton-a-temple-lights-up-1439861213|title=High Times in Trenton: A Temple Lights Up|first1=Heather|last1=Haddon|first2=Jennifer|last2=Weiss|date=18 August 2015|publisher= Wall Street Journal |access-date=16 May 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2015/06/nj_weedmans_joint_opens_in_trenton_with_420_specia.html|title='NJ Weedman's Joint' opens in Trenton with $4.20 specials|work=NJ.com |date=June 15, 2015 |access-date=25 May 2017 |author=Rojas, Cristina}}{{cite web|url=http://www.trentonian.com/article/TT/20150525/NEWS/150529830|title=NJ Weedman opens restaurant, sanctuary across the street from Trenton City Hall|work=The Trentonian |date=May 25, 2015 |access-date=16 May 2017 |author=Ray, Penny}} and in 2016 was raided by local police and Forchion was arrested. The matter is subject of further litigation.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2016/08/nj_weedman_indicted_on_11_drug_charges_authorities.html|title=NJ Weedman indicted on 11 drug charges from raid of his Trenton restaurant|work=NJ.com |date=August 9, 2016 |access-date=16 May 2017 |author=Rojas, Cristina}}{{cite web|url=http://www.trentonian.com/article/TT/20160809/NEWS/160809759|title=Indicted NJ Weedman hopes prosecutor takes 'ass whooping'|work=The Trentonian |date=August 9, 2016 |access-date=16 May 2017 |author=Foster, David}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-05-25/man-arrested-for-calling-cop-pedophile-says-the-law-allows-it |title=Man Arrested for Calling Cop 'Pedophile' Says the Law Allows It |work=U.S. News & World Report |date=May 25, 2016 |author=Nelson, Steven}} In February 2018, a judge dismissed 13 of 22 tickets for various violations, saying they were dispensed incorrectly.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2018/02/judge_dismisses_13_tickets_brought_against_nj_weed.html|title=Judge dismisses 13 tickets against NJ Weedman|website=NJ.com|date=February 8, 2018 |access-date=February 9, 2018}}

The restaurant reopened in May 2017 and was renamed "Weedbukx".{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailymeal.com/news/eat/marijuana-themed-restaurant-new-jersey-relaunching-weedbukx-next-month/032417|title=A Marijuana-Themed Restaurant in New Jersey Is Relaunching as 'Weedbukx' Next Month|work=The Daily Meal |date=March 24, 2017 |access-date=25 May 2017 |author=Lacsamana, Pauline}} Starbucks informed Forchion and his partner that the logo for the new cafe was similar to theirs.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2017/03/nj_weedmans_joint_getting_a_starbucks-marijuana_th.html|title=New logo for NJ Weedman's restaurant may look a bit familiar|work=NJ.com |date=March 23, 2017 |access-date=25 May 2017 |author=Merriman, Anna}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2017/05/nj_weedman_hears_from_starbucks_about_his_joints_n.html|title=NJ Weedman hears from Starbucks about his joint's new logo|work=NJ.com |date=May 15, 2017 |access-date=16 May 2017 |author=Shea, Kevin}}

The restaurant re-opened after Forchion's release in 2018, and is known as the Joint.{{cite web|url=http://943thepoint.com/jackson-man-found-lying-on-front-lawn-revived-with-narcan-after-o-d/|title=Jackson man found lying on front lawn revived with narcan after O-D|first=Vin|last=Ebenau|website=94.3 The Point|date=December 4, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2019}}

File:NJWEEDMANS 420 COMPLEX.jpg

Since the legalization of cannabis in 2021, the restaurant has openly operated as a black market cannabis dispensary. On 9/11/2020 he opened NJWeedman's Dispensary next to NJWeedman's Joint Restaurant 318-322 East State street. In Oct 2023 [https://headynj.com/dispensary/notorious-underground-legacy-operator-njweedman-wins-trenton-approval-to-open-legally/ Trenton City passed a resolution] officially accepting NJWeedman's Dispensary as legal.

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 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2Xzp4OFpNvByB74jyU0h2H?si=11bb7c8efdbe4b6a 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 [http://LNHStudios.com LNH Studios] and William "Gmunk" Saunders of [http://hamiltonradio.net Hamilton Radio] and is guest hosted by the various budtenders at NJ Weedman's Joint.Get On The Cannabus{{cite web|url=https://lnhstudios.com/getonthecannabus|title=Get on the Cannabus | Podcast Hosted by ed "NJ Weedman" Forchion - LNH Studios (@latenighthump) }}

File:Joint of miami.jpg

In the spring of 2021 NJWeedman opened a [https://www.miaminewtimes.com/restaurants/njweedman-is-opening-a-lounge-in-wynwood-and-starring-in-a-reality-show-12144582 420 friendly nightclub] in Miami (the wynnwood art district) called THE JOINT of MIAMI. A few months later he [https://marijuanatimes.org/cannabis-trailblazer-ed-njweedman-forchion-passes-the-joint-to-his-son-king-forchion-with-his-miami-expansion gave it to his son "KING"].

Forchion wrote Public Enemy #420, published in 2010,{{Citation|last1 = Forchion Jr|first1 = Ras R. Edward|last2 = Booker | first2 = Daniel | title = Public Enemy #420 | publisher = CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform | year = 2010 | isbn = 9781450530316 }} and Politics of Pot, Jersey Style: The persecution prosecution of NJweedman in 2014.{{cite web | last = Forchion Jr | first = Robert Edward | title = Politics of Pot, Jersey Style: The persecution prosecution of NJweedman | publisher = Amazon | year = 2014 | asin = B00MO6KUUS | url = https://www.amazon.ca/Politics-Pot-Jersey-Style-persecution-ebook/dp/B00MO6KUUS | access-date = 27 May 2017}} He has written for The Trentonian.{{cite news | title = Forchion, passing the joint | publisher = The Trentonian | url = http://www.trentonian.com/search?nocache=1&text=forchion%2C+passing+the+joint&days=7500&sort=modifiedtime+desc | access-date = 27 May 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.spreaker.com/tag/njweedman|title= #njweedman|publisher=Spreaker|access-date=29 May 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://nj1015.com/tags/nj-weedman/|title=Nj Weedman |website=New Jersey 101.5 – New Jersey News Radio|access-date=29 May 2017}}

• Cannabis and religion
• Cannabis dispensaries in the United States
• Cannabis in California
• Cannabis in New Jersey
• Cannabis political parties of the United States
• Freedom of speech in the United States
• Fully Informed Jury Association

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite news | last = Yant Kinney | first = Monica | title = NJ Weedman Picks Another Fight | publisher =The Philadelphia Inquirer via november.org | date = February 5, 2004 | url = http://november.org/thewall/thewall/cases/forchion-a/forchion-a.html}}
• {{cite news | last = Pike | first = Quinn | title = My Marijuana Hero – NJWeedman | publisher = The Weed Blog | date = May 10, 2022 | url = https://www.theweedblog.com/my-marijuana-hero-njweedman/ | access-date = January 21, 2024}}
• {{cite book | last = Krakora | first = Joseph E. | title = Pro Se Supplemental Brief And Appendix On Behalf Of Defendant-Appellant Edward R. Forchion, Docket Nos. A-004052-12T4 (Direct Appeal) and A-004477-12 (Appeal of Violation of Probation) | publisher = New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division | date = November 17, 2014 | url = http://www.njweedman.com/Forchion_supplemental_brief.pdf }}
• {{cite web | last = Lassiter | first = Jay | title='NJWeedman' is No Joke. He's New Jersey's Cannabis Pioneer |date= May 2, 2016 |publisher= Leafly | url=https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/njweedman-is-no-joke-hes-new-jerseys-cannabis-pioneer}}

• [https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Edward_Forchion_Jr. Ballotpedia: Robert Edward Forchion Jr]
• {{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3600899/|title=Ed Forchion|website=IMDb|access-date=21 May 2017}}
• [http://www.libertybelltemple3.com Liberty Bell] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531143736/http://www.libertybelltemple3.com/ |date=May 31, 2017 }}
• [http://njweedmansjoint.com NJWeedman's Joint]
• [http://www.njweedman.com/index2.html NJ Weedman]
• [http://www.njweedman.com/criminalcase.htm NJ Weedman Criminal Case]
• [http://www.njweedman.com/my-legal-lynching.pdf My Legal Lynching]
• [http://www.njweedman.com/Federal_Amended_Lawsuit2018.pdf Consolidated CAFN: 3:16cv01339-PGS-LGH — EDWARD FORCHION and NJWEEDMAN’S JOINT LLC v. CITY OF TRENTON]
• {{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2019/02/he-pushed-for-marijuana-legalization-for-nearly-20-years-now-the-weedman-feels-sidelined.html |title=He pushed for marijuana legalization for nearly 20 years. Now the Weedman feels sidelined.|author=Kevin Shea |date=Feb 17, 2019 |website=nj.com}}

{{Cannabis in New Jersey}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Cannabis|California|New Jersey}}

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