FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
CONTACT: Ed Forchion (609) 893-xxxx

LONG-AWAITED APPEAL OF THE CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS OF EDWARD R. FORCHION(A/K/A NJWEEDMAN.COM) FINALLY TO BE HEARD

WHAT: ARGUMENT IN THE APPEAL OF STATE V. EDWARD R. FORCHION

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2004, AT 10:00 A.M.

WHERE: ATLANTIC COUNTY CIVIL COURTHOUSE, 3^RD FLOOR,

1201 BACHARACH BOULEVARD, ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.

While many of Mr. Forchion’s claims of a “criminal conspiracy” by New Jersey state officials to prevent a fair trial, because he’s advocate for changing the current marijuana laws might at first blush appear to be something out of the mind of Oliver Stone, it is established fact that in January of 2003, the Honorable Joseph E. Irena’s, U.S.D.J., ordered the State of New Jersey to return Mr. Forchion to the Intensive Supervision Program since the State had violated Mr. Forchion’s First Amendment rights by incarcerating him due to his advocating a change in the marijuana laws.  This is a reported federal decision (of significant precedential value) the cite of which is: Forchion v. Intensive Supervised Parole, 240 F.Supp. 302 (D.N.J. 2003); see also the front page article of the January 27, 2003, New Jersey Law Journal: “U.S. Judge Finds No Abstention Bar to Review of State’s ‘Weedman’ Jailing;” along with Mr. Forchion’s excellent website: NJWeedman.Com.

Mr. Forchion claims thought his ordeal in the New Jersey criminal justice system (1997-present) as well as family court system he has routinely been denied substantial fundamental Rights afforded to all citizens simply because he advocates legalization of marijuana. Mr. Forchion compares his treatment to that of the defendants in the historical RACE CASE(s) of Dred Scott v. Sandford, 19 How. 393 (U.S. 1857), and Powell v. State of Alabama, 287 U.S. 45 (1932). Mr. Forchion case has justifiably gained national and international attention.

Concerning the appeal of the (Dec. 2000) criminal convictions to be argued on the 28^th of April, after the filing of the appellate brief, the Honorable Stephen W. Thompson, J.S.C., (who presided over Mr. Forchion’s trial and sentenced him to ten years of prison), was charged by both state and federal authorities with child pornography.  That a compulsive criminal pedophile (who, apparently, routinely flaunted the laws of this state and the federal government), was permitted by the State of New Jersey to deprive Mr. Forchion of ten years of his life is further proof of the farce and mockery of justice that have plagued Mr. Forchion.

Some of the substantial First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment constitutional issues on Forchion’s appeal include:

1) the “unconstitutionality” of the New Jersey marijuana laws            under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom                   Restoration Act 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb(a);

2) the issue of “medical necessity” of marijuana;

3) religious and medical defenses;

4) the issue of jury nullification;

5) the selective prosecution of Mr. Forchion;

6) the entrapment of Mr. Forchion by law enforcement;

7) prosecutorial misconduct due to, among other things the                blatent violations of BRADY/GIGLIO decisions i.e.                     the concealing the Arizona reports; and

8) the warrantless and unconstitutional seizure of the                    marijuana.

The actual appeal briefs and supporting information about this case can be reviewed on Mr. Forchion’s website at:

http://www.njweedman.com/appealbrief.htm

Mr. Forchion has petitioned the Appellate Court to  allow him to present his own oral arguements insupport of his supplemental appellate brief. John Saykanic will argue the appeal. Hopefully, Mr. Forchion who is again running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives (3^rd District) under the U.S. Marijuana Party will finally receive the justice that has eluded him since the day of his “illegal-arrest” on November 24, 1997.