cannabisnews.com: Pot Protester Wins Release From Jail 





Pot Protester Wins Release From Jail 
Posted by CN Staff on January 25, 2003 at 17:26:38 PT
By The Associated Press
Source: Associated Press
Camden, N.J. -- A self-styled marijuana activist has been freed from the Burlington County jail, where he was being held after expulsion from a prison early-release program. Ed Forchion, who calls himself ''NJ Weedman,'' was released Friday night after five months. Forchion landed in jail after being kicked out of the Intensive Supervised Parole program in August.
State authorities said he violated terms of admission to the program by filming several public service announcements advocating changes to New Jersey's drug laws and by advocating legalizing marijuana. The Pemberton man entered the program last April, after serving 16 months of a 10-year prison term for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. U.S. District Judge Joseph Irenas said Forchion's dismissal and subsequent incarceration denied him free speech protections guaranteed under the Constitution's First Amendment. But in ordering Forchion's freedom and return to the parole program, Irenas barred the activist from promoting illegal use of marijuana after his release. Forchion said Saturday has no plans to change his views. He said the judge told him he could not ''advocate imminent criminality. I can't say, 'Hey you, smoke marijuana.''' ''It doesn't stop me from saying that marijuana isn't as bad as the government says. I still believe the marijuana laws are based on lies,'' he said. Forchion, who has sought to make ''NJ Weedman'' his legal name, has said he used marijuana because of his religious beliefs and for medical reasons. He made three bids for a seat in Congress, losing twice and quitting one race after being indicted on drug charges. Source: Associated Press Published: January 25, 2003Copyright: 2003 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Sites:NJWeedman.comhttp://www.njweedman.com CRRH Video's - Weedman Takes Cause To TVhttp://www.crrh.org/hemptv/misc_weedman.htmlJudge Grants NJWeedman Injunctionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15282.shtmlMarijuana Activist Fights New Jail Time http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14142.shtmlNo Freedom of Speech for NJWeedman http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13815.shtml 
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 25, 2003 at 17:34:33 PT
Welcome Back Ed!
It is good to finally know you are out.
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