cannabisnews.com: Forchion Crusading To Legalize Marijuana Forchion Crusading To Legalize Marijuana Posted by FoM on October 14, 2000 at 11:22:09 PT By Eileen Holliday, Staff Writer Source: Gloucester County Times He calls himself an "American dissident." But that doesn't stop Edward "njweedman" Forchion from running for a First District seat in Congress and a seat on the Camden County Board of Freeholders. Forchion, 36, of Browns Mills, said his campaign is basically a protest advocating the legalization of marijuana, a stance that has gotten him into serious trouble with the law."I don't think I will get enough votes to oust (incumbent Democrat) Rob Andrews. But this is my opportunity to present my case," Forchion said. "This is my opportunity to voice my opinion in public." Wearing a T-shirt that reads "I love my country, but I fear my government," Forchion explained his Legalize Marijuana Platform."Marijuana should be legal. I am telling the truth about marijuana," he said. "For the last 50 to 60 years, the government has lied about marijuana, using these lies to incarcerate people. Marijuana is not dangerous. If it doesn't suit you, then don't use it." Forchion compared the high number of deaths per year from alcohol and tobacco use to those related to marijuana use."Nearly 400,000 people a year die from tobacco. If anyone should be in jail it should the chief executive officers of the tobacco industry," he said. "And the government has the nerve to call marijuana a dangerous substance. It is supposed to be free country. How is it a free country if you don't have the right to regulate your own body?"Arrested on Nov. 24, 1997 during a drug raid in Bellmawr, Forchion faced more than 20 years in prison and $300,000 in fines. He and his brother, Russell, 30, were arrested a short distance from the Bellmawr Industrial Park with 45 pounds of marijuana in their van.At that time, Forchion pleaded not guilty and began mounting a defense based on jury nullification -- under which jurors refuse to convict because they believe the law that a person is accused of violating is unconstitutional -- and freedom of religion.Then in February, he faced another conspiracy charge for a drug transaction in which he introduced two parties. This is added to the list of arrests he has had for minor drug possession offenses."I can be arrested for marijuana any day of the week," he said.After months and months of being in and out of court for the 1997 and February arrests, Forchion pleaded guilty to a combined lesser charge about two weeks ago.Forchion could have to report to jail in December for anywhere from two to four months. But on Tuesday, he filed a withdrawal of his plea claiming he had an "unfair trial.""A lot of people don't understand jury nullification. Inherently, the jury had the right and power to judge a law as well as evidence," he said.He admits that being found guilty would bar him from serving in political office, but he still insists on getting his name on the ballot. And he insists, that nothing is official until he is actually sent to jail.Forchion, who grew up in Sicklerville, graduated from Edgewood High School in 1982. He joined the Army National Guard and attended Claflin College in Orangeburg, S.C.He then joined the Marines in 1986, but was discharged after an asthma attack. Forchion confessed that he then switched his name and re-enlisted. He was then honorably discharged in 1990.Forchion bought own truck in 1993 and was a coast to coast driver until he was arrested in 1997 after the Bellmawr drug transaction. Since then Forchion has spent most of his time maintaining his Web site and preparing his defense."I felt that I had something to gain. I wanted to spread the word before I was thrown in jail," he said. "All this actually saved my life."Another issue Forchion said he feels very strongly about is abortion."Abortion is murder. I know I have offended people by saying it like that. Life begins at conception," he said.He then asked, "This person has a right to regulate her body, then why don't I have the right to regulate my body?"The First Congressional District consists of parts of Burlington and Camden counties and the following towns in Gloucester County: Deptford, East Greenwich, Logan, Mantua, Monroe, National Park, Paulsboro, Washington, Wenonah, West Deptfortd, Westville, Woodbury, Woodbury Heights and the 12th District of Mantua. NewsHawk: Ed ForchionSource: Gloucester County TimesAuthor: Eileen HollidayPublished: Saturday, October 14, 2000© 2000 Gloucester County Times and MediaNews Group, Inc.Web Site: http://www.gctimes.com/Related Articles:Marijuana Candidate Finds Plea a Bargain http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7122.shtmlCannabisNews Articles - Ed Forchion:http://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=ForchionEd "NJ Weedman" Forchion From The Legalize Marijuana Partyhttp://www.420times.com/420people/edforchion/index.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by EdC on October 15, 2000 at 05:45:47 PT: Forchion crusading to legalize marijuana Give him credit. With cannabis being the third most popular recreational drug in the world, he should be elected hands down. If I lived in New Jersey I would vote for him. What has the incumbent clown done lately? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Roger Christie on October 14, 2000 at 20:06:15 PT: Go Ed, Go! Aloha from the rainforest in Puna on the big, smoking volcano. I gotta love the mana and courage that Ed lives through his advocacy. What a cannabis patriot!I hope you and your brother are eating hempseed, too, Ed.Maybe you need sponsors like a pro skier, or a racecar driver would have? Use their products and get healthy, fight the system, advertise on your t-shirts, etc. Hmmm...Go Ed, Go! Roger THE HAWAI'I CANNABIS MINISTRY "Come Grow With Us" (808) 961-0488Anandamide, the 'bliss-stuff' scientists have found inside cannabis molecules are ESSENTIAL for those who use the herb religiously. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: