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Njweedman runs for Congress 
 NJWEEDMAN FOR CONGRESS
By, - DANIELLE CAMILLI MOUNT HOLLY - Ed
"NJWeedman" Forchion, the longtime marijuana activist who until
recently was living in self-styled political exile in California, is running
for Congress again. Forchion filed his petition Friday
to run as an independent for New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District seat,
which covers parts of Burlington, Camden and Ocean counties and is held by
Democrat John Adler of Cherry Hill. Although Forchion has lived in California
since 2008, he said he has always maintained a legal residence in Pemberton
Township. He runs the Liberty Bell Temple on Hollywood Boulevard in Los
Angeles, a state-registered medical marijuana clinic where he legally sells
pot and claims to run the only Rastafarian ministry in the city. Marijuana is
used as a sacrament in his religious practice. NJWeedman's return to the Garden
State last month to visit his children ended with him behind bars. He was
charged with possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana, drug possession
with the intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia after
police stopped him on Route 38 in Mount Holly for rolling through a red light
and found about a pound of pot in the trunk of his rental car. Forchion said he was racially
profiled, a claim the New Jersey State Police deny. After a few days in Burlington
County Jail, Forchion made bail and had a renewed spirit to fight the system.
He fought for years in New Jersey
to legalize the use of marijuana for medical and spiritual purposes. The founder of the Legalize
Marijuana Party of New Jersey has run previous unsuccessful campaigns for
governor, U.S. Senate, Congress, the state Legislature, and the Burlington
County Board of Freeholders. He also lost his bid in New Jersey
Superior Court to have his name officially changed to NJWeedman six years
ago. He currently has a petition filed
in Los Angeles Superior Court to have his name legally changed to NJWeedman.com,
the name of his website. "New
Jersey wouldn't do it, but California shouldn't have a problem with it,"
he said Friday. The congressional race and name
change are all part of Forchion's effort to "pollute the jury and
support my jury nullification" case as part of his pending criminal
matter, he said. "When my case goes before the
jury, I want them to know who I am and be totally aware of me and my views
and maybe one will agree with me," Forchion said. He is also fighting for visitation
with his 14-year-old daughter, who he says he has not been allowed contact
with because of his views on marijuana. "It is a national debate and
you're supposed to be able to talk about whatever you want," he said.
"Politicians can talk about it, but I am punished for it." Forchion also plans to file a
constitutional challenge to New Jersey's new medical marijuana law as part of
his criminal case, he said. In January, Gov. Jon S. Corzine
signed legislation that would allow patients diagnosed with severe medical
conditions, including AIDS, cancer, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis
and Lou Gehrig's disease, to access marijuana grown and distributed through
state-monitored dispensaries. Forchion said he would file a
constitutional challenge of the law on the grounds that the state's criminal
code - the one he was arrested and charged under - reads that marijuana has
no medicinal value. The 3rd District race promises to
be closely watched. Former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Runyan
of Mount Laurel is facing a primary challenge from "traditional
Republican" candidate Justin Murphy of Tabernacle next month. The Republicans are hoping to take
back the seat Adler won in 2008.
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