http://www.phillyburbs.com/burlingtoncountytimes/news/news/4410077.htm 
           Weedman' nabed at Statehouse puffing on suspected 'joint' 

            By John Reitmeyer  
            BCT staff writer  

            Ed Forchion, the self-titled N.J. Weedman, has struck again. 

            The Browns Mills resident and unsuccessful 8th-district state Assembly candidate was
           ar-rested Thursday afternoon in the Statehouse in Trenton and charged with lighting up what
           authorities believe was a marijuana cigarette. 

            The incident occurred at 2:05 p.m. in the spectators' area of the Assembly chambers, said
           state police spokeswoman Wen-dy Galloway. 

            "He arose from his seat and lit what was possibly a marijuana cigarette,'' Galloway said. 

           Immediately after lighting the cigarette, which drew the attention of state police as-signed to
           the Statehouse, Forchion ingested it, said Gall-oway. 

            He's been charged with being under the influence, hindering apprehension and im-proper
           behavior, according to Galloway. Following his arrest, Forchion was released pending an
           appearance in Trenton Mu-nicipal Court. 

            Forchion said his actions were done in an effort to raise more attention to what he considers
           to be religious persecution in New Jersey. 

            Forchion said marijuana has deep meaning to his Rastafarian religion, made famous by
           Jam-aican reggae singer Bob Mar-ley, and its nature-based rituals. He contends
           Rastafarians should be allowed to use the illegal drug for the same reasons Catholics were
           permitted to consume wine for the communion ritual during Prohibition. And even now
           Catholic's serve wine to minors, without threat to arrest as anyone else who served alcohol
           to minors would be.  "People like me should have exemptions too,'' said Forchion, who
           performed similar protests in Camden County in 1998. 

            "I have an illegal religion,'' he said. 

            During his run for the state Assembly last year, Forchion campaigned on a platform
           fo-cused primarily on his efforts to legalize marijuana. Forchion lost that race to Republican
           in-cumbents Larry Chatzidakis and Francis Bodine. 

            Forchion said he now plans to run for Burlington County freeholder, and will submit a
           petition shortly to get on this year's ballot under a "Fathers' Rights'' platform. That  stance
           comes out of Forchion's claims that his religious practices have caused the state's family
           court to strip him of his right to visit a 4-year-old daughter. 

            Forchion said he will also run for U.S. Congress this year against Rob Andrews in the1st
           district.  Under his "Legalize Marijuana Party" - www.tlmp.org 
             

                                View details of New Jersey’s religious persecution: 
                                         The Legalize Marijuana Party website:  
                                              http://www.tlmp.org