cannabisnews.com: MJ Advocate Jailed for Espousing Legalization MJ Advocate Jailed for Espousing Legalization Posted by CN Staff on August 20, 2002 at 21:48:41 PT By Mike Mathis, BCT Staff Writer Source: Burlington County Times Marijuana legalization advocate Ed "njweedman" Forchion is in trouble with the law again. Forchion was jailed Monday night after he violated the terms of the supervisory program in which he is enrolled, officials said yesterday.As a result, the Pemberton Township resident could be forced to return to prison to serve the remainder of his 10-year sentence on marijuana-related charges. Tom Bartlett, regional director for the Intensive Supervision Program, said Forchion violated provisions of the program by advocating marijuana use. Participants in the Intensive Supervision Program are released early from prison but must remain drug-free and abide by other regulations."He agreed he was not going to promote marijuana use," Bartlett said. "We tried to get him in compliance and he has not cooperated." In a telephone interview from the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly yesterday, Forchion said he was told he violated the terms of the program by taping three television commercials in which he advocated the legalization of marijuana.Forchion said he simply expressed his opinions on free speech and the nation's war on drugs in the commercials."This is America," Forchion said. "I have every right to say what I want to say. (Parole officials) just don't want me to talk." Forchion has long maintained that his First Amendment rights are being violated because he cannot freely practice his faith as a Rastafarian or state his beliefs.Forchion was charged with helping his brother and another man pick up a shipment of 40 pounds of marijuana at Bellmawr Industrial Park in Bellmawr, Camden County, in November 1997. The marijuana was shipped from a supplier in Arizona via Federal Express.Forchion was tried on charges of distributing marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in October 2000 but pleaded guilty to those charges and two unrelated charges during his trial. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in December 2000 and served 16 months in prison before he was admitted into the Intensive Supervision Program.Under the terms of the program, Forchion must refrain from smoking marijuana and must obtain a job. He also must provide regular urine samples to demonstrate that he is staying clean.Forchion also cannot advocate the legalization of marijuana.In each of the three, 30-second commercials that he taped, Forchion wears a shirt bearing a marijuana leaf and stands in front of an American flag.In one of the commercials, he advocates free speech. In another, he says that marijuana has medicinal benefits. In the third, he criticizes the government's war on drugs.Forchion tried to buy time from Comcast to televise the commercials, but the cable company declined to air them.Comcast spokeswoman Nissa O'Mara said the commercials violated the company's advertising policy against promoting drug use.BCT staff writer John Reitmeyer also contributed to this story.Complete Title: Marijuana Advocate Jailed for Espousing Legalization of Drug Source: Burlington County Times (NJ)Author: Mike Mathis, BCT Staff Writer Published: August 21, 2002Copyright: 2002 Calkins Newspapers. Inc.Website: http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/Contact: http://www.phillyburbs.com/feedback/content.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Site:NJWeedman.comhttp://www.njweedman.com No Freedom of Speech for NJWeedman http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13815.shtmlOn The Air: Weedman Takes Cause To Televisionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13759.shtmlSmokey and The Bandit http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12992.shtml'Weedman' Protests Outside Courthouse http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12987.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #16 posted by The GCW on August 21, 2002 at 16:41:23 PT Ed is on course I don't know if I have the gonads, My self... as I've said to The Kubby's...But there are many people, dead set on The TRUTH.Would Washington or Jefferson fire the 1st warning shot?I commend the My fellow warriors. We are not a violent group. Yet We are going to kick some butt.Biblically, the sword of the Spirit IS THE WORD. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by VitaminT on August 21, 2002 at 10:54:10 PT I've got a feeling that Ed will have the last laugh. Are you more optimistic about the future of the Failed War on Marijuana than you were say two years ago? I know I am!Looks to me like the Republicrats are feeling the weight of their failures evermore accutely! Their power is eroded more each day! The clanging of our hammers - Day by day!! Canada CLANG! Bob Barr CLANG! Nevada CLANG! Arizona CLANG! Great Britton CLANG!Keep hammering people! before long supporting the War on Drugs will be about as popular among politicians as stepping out in public wearing a new suit of TAR & FEATHERS!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by JHarshaw on August 21, 2002 at 10:34:18 PT CH-CH-CH-CH-Changes Goodbye to the United States of America, land of the free.Hello to the Police States of Amerikkka, a good place for sheeple. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on August 21, 2002 at 09:58:33 PT JR About The Ads Before Ed was arrested this time I told him about Pot-TV and that maybe he should contact them. He seemed happy about the information and then boom he's in jail. Hopefully he got in touch with them before he was arrested. Ed always has scared me a little but the more I read about him or talk to him I realize his heart is in the right place. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by krutch on August 21, 2002 at 09:50:10 PT: Ed Forchion is a Prisoner of Conscience There is no law against stating a policical opinion. We live in a police state. America has commited suicide. We still exist as a place on the map, but the ideas that once made us mighty have been trashed. When I think of all the murderers and rapists on the street it makes me angry that the courts are wasting their time and tax payer money this way. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on August 21, 2002 at 08:48:29 PT But what of the ADS? I know we'll never see them on Comcast Public Access, but I know there's some internet broadcasting sites who would LOVE to carry Ed's ads. Sure, they'd only play to an audience of reformers, but it's better than nothing, and it may generate exposure leading to an actual airing on broadcast TV somehow. Get a copy of those ads to Marc Emery NOW, before the police seize them as "evidence" of Ed's "parole violation", if they haven't already. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by 2Spooky on August 21, 2002 at 07:24:30 PT legal basis Now that he has been charged with a violation, he can argue that the restriction on his speech is unconstitutional and is not "reasonably related to the reformation of the offender".Of course, that is why they jail dissidents in the first place...to label them criminals and strip them of their rights. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by TroutMask on August 21, 2002 at 07:15:37 PT 1st Amendment I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on tv, but I can't imagine taking away someone's first amendment rights like this is constitutionally legal. Can you think of any other situation in which a person is legally required to not speak their political beliefs?-TM [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by dimebag on August 21, 2002 at 07:14:20 PT Case and Point The Gov is telling this man that he cant say something. Just that simple fact is reason enough to take this to the supreme court. But something tells me that the Supreme court isnt going to turn this one over, mainly because they are made up of out dated fossils spanning 4 generations. I mean cummon theese people lived when Marijuana was "Legal" any one that old should not have any power or say in what goes on in this generation of people. We should have an age limmit for the Supreme Court. No one over the age of 60 can be admitted and no one under the age of 30. That is a good category to fit every one in. And another problem is Theese justices arent elected, they are appointed by the president. What does that tell you?I highly suggest moving to Canada.Dimebag. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Ethan Russo MD on August 21, 2002 at 06:13:02 PT: 1st Amendment I can understand that the pedophile on parole should be restricted from contact with children. I agree that it is criminal to shout, "Fire!" in the theater when there is none, or to incite to riot. However, I doubt that the kinds of restrictions placed here are constitutional. I hope that this case is pursued. This is supposed to be America. To me, that means a country built on high ideals, not the modern paragon of fascism and global outlaw. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by The GCW on August 21, 2002 at 06:00:57 PT It is just too much. Every where I look, it is spirit filled.Here, I suggest when You partake of cannabis, please realize to be thankful for it. For it is the only Biblical restriction placed on cannabis.Here, We even see a star pattern of great significance at the time of Christ birth, called: "Tree of Life" or "Paths to God" March 1 st 5 B.C. - The astrological aspects (parallels) depict the solar version of the Kabbala - "Tree of Life" or "Paths to God" Any student of the mysteries will recognize the pattern displayed by the planets as one which mirrors the Tree of Life and the various "paths" to higher consciousness. http://www.aloha.net/~johnboy/star.htg/paralle.gif (just one of the occurances listed below in #5)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------If We keep missing the boat, We will all be in the same boat.I've been reading aobut Ed for 2 years or more...The gov. is stooping too low.We shall build a toilet, and flush it twice and more. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by The GCW on August 21, 2002 at 05:50:55 PT Is this becoming a confirmed spiritual war? again this piece I saw yesterday, is significant... but now under it is posted a means to see time with calender adjustments, that help put some pieces together.Pot and prophecy / Is the marijuana movement the second coming of the Christ spirit? http://www.hempbc.com/articles/2405.html (This aint just for Christians).This goes beyond correcting the calender!The MAGI http://www.aloha.net/~johnboy/magi.htg/magi.htm The STAR of BETHLEHEM. CHRONOLOGY of the STARS, AT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST ArchioligicalAstrological proof of Christ? (WAY TOO GOD AWESOME & I may only understand a tad) http://www.aloha.net/~johnboy/star.htg/star.htm INCLUDING! (in a 4 day span!) February 28 th 5 B.C. - Mystic Rectangle Astrological Configuration February 29 th 5 B.C. - Pi Symbol displayed in the "tropical" zodiac over Bethlehem, Jordan (symbol is hi-lighted in yellow) February 29 th 5 B.C. - A 5 pointed star emerges from the Mystic Rectangle March 1 st 5 B.C. - Appearance of the "Grand Cross" ancient astrological configuration March 1 st 5 B.C. - The first appearance of The Star of David March 1 st 5 B.C. - The appearance of the second five pointed star simultaneously with the Star of David March 1 st 5 B.C. - Two five pointed stars are displayed simultaneously March 1 st 5 B.C. - The astrological aspects (parallels) depict the solar version of the Kabbala - "Tree of Life" or "Paths to God" March 2 nd 5 B.C. - The Seal of Solomon emerges from the Mystic Rectangle as the Star of David is encircled by a Grand Sextile [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by mayan on August 21, 2002 at 05:44:01 PT More on Forchion... No Freedom of Speech for Ed "NJWeedman" Forchion: http://www.drugwar.com/pweedmanarrested.shtm [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by i420 on August 21, 2002 at 05:31:55 PT Comcast bad as government restricting free speech need we say more.... comcastsucks.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by The GCW on August 21, 2002 at 05:31:43 PT LET'S LOOK AT THIS! The Gov. has lied and said they don't cage for simple joint use... There are lte's explaining that it's a lie and further that one way people are caged is through rovacation of parole and probation, in failing a cannabis use test...BUT NOW THEY WILL CAGE YOU FOR TALKING ABOUT IT!& THIS STORY OUT THIS MORNING : US: OPED: A Clear And Present Danger URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1541/a12.html Newshawk: G. Alan Robison Pubdate: Sun, 18 Aug 2002 Source: Houston Chronicle Author: JONATHAN TURLEY Note: Turley is a professor of constitutional law at George Washington University, in Washington, D.CA CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER Ashcroft Scheme Simply Chilling http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1541/a12.html?397And then on the other end of the spectrum, a lte from,,, You decide.'WEED' IS TOUGH TO ERADICATE http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1541/a01.html?397 Utah. Forchion also cannot advocate the legalization of marijuana.For Me now,To the prohibitionists, I ask.How many lies can You pack into a single word?(Again I'm thinking, Parable of the Sower [Luke 8:4-15])PLANT IT (the word of Christ God - STARTING - on the very 1st page, Biblically)?They want to eradicate it (the word of Christ God on the very 1st page, Biblically).Heck, that's Me.As the green collar worker, I could be put in a camp, for I speak for Cannabis in positive light.We are all green collar workers [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by BGreen on August 21, 2002 at 01:01:21 PT Man, this makes me angry We, as citizens of the US, have the right to speak out and attempt to get laws changed. If Ed shouts from the rooftop that the laws need to be changed, they can't stop him. If he was telling everybody to break the law, then the hitler-esque "parole" system has the right to stop him. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment