FORCHION CRUSADING TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

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?"