NJWEEDMAN

TRENTONIAN PAGE TWO (May 16th, 2010)

http://www.trentonian.com/articles/2...2526776232.txt
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HOW DOES THE DEFENDANT NJweedman.com PLEAD

The Weedman was right.

It’s really that simple, and it doesn’t matter on what side of the bong your opinions lie. The bottom line is Ed Forchion — a.k.a. the “Weedman,” or, and perhaps more importantly (for reasons I’ll soon explain) NJweedman.com — was right.


( THIS STORY also has a VIDEO on the Trentonians site)


In the 12 or so years since Forchion has become one of the most vocal — and recognized — members of the the pro-pot movement, here’s a short list of what’s transpired: In addition to California, 13 other states passed medical marijuana laws. Two other states passed laws that while not legalizing pot, don’t treat users as criminals. And in what promises to be the biggest news on the marijuana front since Cheech met Chong, California voters will go to the polls this November to vote on legalizing pot, period.

The Weedman was right.

And the Weedman’s story almost had the most perfect happy ending any law-breaking pothead could ever want: He high-tailed out to Los Angeles and opened up the Liberty Bell Temple, right there on Hollywood Boulevard, a place where “your sacrament meets your medicinal needs.” Apparently, there is a bevy of Rastafarians in L.A. with chronic pain.

Yep, ol’ Weedman was on his way to his happy ending. Instead of the cops chasing him in New Jersey, he had TMZ chasing him in California. Or as he puts it, instead of being an activist in New Jersey, he was a capitalist in California.

And then ... and then he came back to New Jersey last month and got busted with a whole lotta weed in his trunk. (Usually us journalists slap an “allegedly” there, but really. I think he’d be insulted if I put in the “allegedly.”)

Now, for most of us, being caught with enough pot to catch a jail sentence would be cause for concern.

For Forchion, though, it’s just an opportunity.

Starting with changing his name — legally — to NJweedman.com.

He tried to do this once before here in New Jersey, and was shot down by a Camden County judge. So he’s trying again, this time Los Angeles Superior Court, with a hearing set for June 9.

In addition to the marketing benefits associated with changing his name, he also plans to use it much like Muhammad Ali did in his 1967 fight with Ernie Terrell, shouting, “What’s my name?” every time he appears in court and the judge, prosecutor, or anyone else regards him as “Mr. Forchion.”

In addition to the name change, getting arrested has also moved the Weedman to once again run for Congress in New Jersey’s third district. (He still maintains his residency here in the state.) And once again, nothing would please him more than to see the name “NJweedman.com” on the ballot.

It’s easy to dismiss Forchion as a fool. But take it from me — he’s not. He’s tied the legal system in knots over the years with his remarkably well-played form of jailhouse lawyering, he’s a master of media mayhem (remember his lighting-a-joint-in-the-State-House routine?) and he’s certainly got the courage of his convictions.

And let’s not forget — as more states pass medical marijuana laws, as more ballot initiatives get put on the ballot, as more politicians keep joking about their pot-smoking days — the Weedman gets even more right. And high, of course, but also right. That should count for something.

Read Jeff Edelstein every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. He can be reached at jedelstein@trentonia n.com, facebook.com/TrentonianJeff, or twitter.com/jeffedelstein.