"NJWEEDMAN" 

RELEASED FROM PRISON 

And now

“I NEED A JOB"

 

4/5/2002

I need a Job!

4/5/2003

I still need a real job!

See: Update

 


I'm 100% serious! Since I started protesting the marijuana laws I've been ruined, not by marijuana but by the asinine “GOVERNMENT” marijuana laws. I’ve used marijuana for a variety of reason for the past 20 years but as a condition of my release I will not smoke any. I’ve used marijuana socially and (medically) for asthma, and pain relieve instead of the dangerous man-made chemical (drugs) our "Christian" Government tries to force everyone to use.Most importantly I use marijuana spiritually. 

On 12/1/2000 after a totally "unconstitutional trial" (I was denied the 6th Amend. right(s) to have witness or assistance of counsel as well as flagrant 4th Amend. violations), I was convicted and sent to the New Jersey State Prison system. I am still appealing this "unconstitutional conviction". I call thisPOLITICAL IMPRISONMENT #1.

I am still a POLITICAL-PRISONER of the State of NEW JERSEY and its "asinine" inclusion of "MARIJUANA" in its "War on (some) Drugs". Yet , on April 3rd, 2002 I was released from the New Jersey State prison system into a state early release program called ( I.S.P. ) - Intensive Supervised Parole. (I.S.P.) is commonly referred to as “prison without walls” or “prison at home”. 

The requirements of this program are: 

1- I have a curfew that can be adjusted around work schedules. 

2- I have to submit to two at least drug tests a week. 

3- I have to keep a daily diary of my activities. 

4- MOST IMPORTANTLY, I have to maintain a job. 

5- I have to go to (2) N/A meetings a week! (even though this is illegal)

6- I have to go to (1) A/A meetings a week! (even though this is illegal)

- FOR KNOWING THE TRUTH ABOUT MARIJUANA

I really need a job that maintains a living wage; it’s absolutely no use in having a minimum wage job that prevents me from caring for my family.

I can do almost anything I'm shown how to do, I’m no dummy give me a chance! I'm desperate for a job I will take just about anything. Yes, I smoked marijuana but as a condition of this program I have to stop so don’t worry I can pass a test and will not smoke as long as I’m on this program. I will probably talk about it but I won’t do it! I've been using marijuana for 20 years and until 4 years ago it was my personal business. My marijuana use has never interfered with anything I’ve ever done. The government lies and propaganda about pot smokers is just that. - 

LIE'S & PROPAGANDA used to ruin citizens like me 

I would like to find a job in Camden or Burlington County but if the pay is right I'll travel to where-ever as long as I can get back in time for this curfew. I just need a real job. My family needs this job! 

ED FORCHION - MY BIO 
                               (609)893-9168

OUT OF THE JOINT: 'Weedman' gives up pot as part of ISP


 

 

April 08, 2002


 


 

Trentonian File Photo Ed "NJWeedman" Forchion, of Pemberton, is shown here smoking a joint in the New Jersey Assembly chambers in March 2000 to protest marijuana laws.

By JEFF EDELSTEIN


 

Staff Writer

Ed "NJWeedman" Forchion is no longer smoking pot.

Comparatively speaking, this is similar in scope to a magic genie no longer granting wishes.

Forchion, 37, was released last week from state prison, where he served 17 months for possessing 25 pounds of marijuana.

He was released into the state's Intensive Supervision Program (ISP), a heightened form of parole, in which Forchion, among other things, could have his body and home searched for any illegal herbs.

"Obviously, I can't smoke marijuana," Forchion said. "But that won't be a problem. I told the judge I went 17 months on the inside without smoking, and I was offered pot every day. Every day. I was a mini-celebrity in there."

The reason for Forchion's celebrity is due to his unflinching belief that marijuana should be legalized.

Known nationwide, Forchion, a Pemberton resident, has pulled many stunts to bring attention to the legalization movement.

He's run for office, getting 2,706 votes for Burlington County freeholder and 1,983 votes during a congressional run.

He also has lit up joints in courtrooms, a judge's office, and most famously, during a session of the state assembly.

But that's all behind him, thanks to the conviction and the conditions of the ISP release.

"Because of ISP, I can't be an open advocate for legalization," Forchion said. "But none of my opinions have changed. And people know me more now than before, so I don't need to run around with a sign or smoke in the assembly."

While Forchion might be keeping his legalization talk on the back burner, he is still intent on fighting the system that put him in prison in the first place.

Forchion is fighting the battle on many fronts, most notably in Federal Appeals court.

The court accepted his appeal, and Forchion is now waiting for his day in court.

Forchion alleges his trial was unconstitutional due to his not being allowed to call witnesses and his not being allowed to pursue jury nullification as a defense.

Jury nullification, in its pure sense, is when a jury decides that a law is unjust, and thus refuses to convict.

The trick to this strategy, however, is that it is illegal in Jersey to inform a jury of this right.

Forchion went with the strategy anyway, without help from the Public Defender's office.

And Forchion was not allowed to call witnesses, including doctors, who were set to testify marijuana should be legal.

"What happened was a total sham and mockery," Forchion said. "People just blew me off because I was a pothead. I was the little guy fighting the Goliath of government and they took away my slingshot -- jury nullification. It's the 'We the People' weapon."

While in Riverfront State Prison, Forchion also had trouble securing all the court transcripts needed for his appeal. 

After 17 months, he says he now finally has them all.

"I couldn't believe state officials got away with not giving me my transcripts," Forchion said. "It was a cover-up."

One question that hangs over Forchion's head, especially now that he out of jail, is what happens if the federal courts overturn his original conviction? Would he be willing to go back on trial, call his witnesses, practice jury nullification, and risk being sent back to jail? All in the hopes of legalizing marijuana?

"Absolutely," Forchion said. 

©The Trentonian 2003

 

 

UPDATE 

 

Unfortunately, although I did everything I was supposed to do as required by the terms of ISP. The officials running the program felt that they could stop me from talking about marijuana. They ordered me not to talk about marijuana, my faith or to the Press. They attempted to use the program as the Inmate Silence Program, when I refused to comply with their illegal orders I was arrested and held for 5 months, I became a "POLITICAL-PRISONER" in jail (again) for what I say!. 

SEE POLITICAL IMPRISONMENT #2:

WEEDMAN CENSORED AND JAILED

Immediately (9/6/2002)after was “unconstitutionally” arrested and put in jail by state officials I filed a statute 2254 complaint –“WRIT of HABEAS CORPUS” (02-cv-4331) before thus. District Court in Camden New Jersey. On (10/1/2002 ) I filed a $4 million dollar statute 1983 civil rights lawsuit (02-cv-4942)in U.S. District Court - from the Burlington County jail 

On 12/31/2003 at the “WRIT of HABEAS CORPUS” hearing Federal Judge IRENAS decided to consolidate the statute 1983 civil rights lawsuit with the statute 2254 Writ of Habeas Corpus” and make it a statute 1983 civil rights lawsuit. 

On 1/24/2003 Judge Irenas ruled that I was being held “unconstitutionally”, this ruling that I was being held unconstitutionally has virtually made my “LAWSUIT” a slam dunk win for me! 

“HOW WILL THE STATE FIGHT THIS” the case is a win, at this point!

 


A LETTER FROM THE BURLINGTON COUNTY JAIL


"FREED BY FEDERAL JUDGE!"

ON JAN. 24th, 2003 FEDERAL JUDGE IRENAS ORDERED THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO RELEASE EDWARD "NJWEEDMAN" FORCHION, THE JUDGE RULED "WEEDMAN'S" INCARCERATION WAS A CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATION OF HIS RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH!

 


 

I STILL NEED A REAL JOB,

UNTIL I SETTLE THIS LAWSUIT!


 

GIVE ME A CALL

(609) 893-9168

I currently have a minim wage job, that barely pays my court fines and almost nothing is contributed to the house. Again I wasn’t ruined because I “use” marijuana it’s because of the stupid government marijuana laws, and this has happened to millions of Americans!

“I still say change the laws!”