cannabisnews.com: Assembly Candidate Brings Meaning To Green Party Assembly Candidate Brings Meaning To Green Party Posted by FoM on November 01, 1999 at 10:49:40 PT By Bridget Murphy, Staff Writer Source: Press Plus Question: How many southern New Jersey election ads feature a two-foot bong and fake marijuana leaves? Answer: Probably only one. And if you live in Hammonton, it's running on a cable TV station that transmits into your home. Edward Forchion is fighting to win a seat representing the 8th District in the state Assembly and for a spot on the Camden County Board of Freeholders. But he's also fighting for your rights. Your rights to smoke pot. Forchion, 35, is currently facing drug charges that could put him in jail for more than 20 years, but he claims that smoking marijuana is part of his Rastafarian religion, and that the charges amount to religious persecution. He registered to run for office under the "Legalize Marijuana Party," and his middle name is listed on the official ballot as "NJ Weedman." "I just want a good number of votes," he said this week. "There's a lot of people disenfranchised with the Democrats and Republicans. That's how Jesse Ventura got elected." Forchion, who grew up in the Sicklerville area and has four children, is currently working at a manufacturing plant in Hammonton. He's a military veteran, and attended a South Carolina Christian College for a year. The candidate also said he used to own a trucking business, and his cargo was what Rastafarians refer to as "ganja." Forchion says on his web site: http://www.jersey.net/~njdevil/that smoking marijuana is a holy sacrament for him "in much the same way Christians and Catholics regard the fruit grape which they process into wine." This week Forchion explained that he's often harassed by police, and arrested for protesting, but that he will continue to fight for what he considers a personal religious right, and a freedom citizens are entitled to under the Bill of Rights. "If I was elected, I could handle it," Forchion said. "I'd have to hire the right people. Obviously, I'd need a little legal help. Most of these politicians are talking heads anyway." Forchion said his wife Janice is not a smoker. "Why do people smoke?" the candidate said, admitting to puffing his first joint at age 15. "Who knows why? But by age 16 I knew the government had lied about marijuana. They fail to report the benefits and exaggerate the negatives, kind of like the cigarette industry did (with tobacco)." Even if he doesn't get voted into office, Forchion said his point is being made by his campaign, and the ones he ran last year for a congressional seat and a Camden County freeholder seat. "It's a protest about the marijuana laws," he said. "I'm utilizing the election laws to talk about the issue." Saturday, October 30, 1999 Copyright (©) 1999 South Jersey Publishing Co. Related Articles & Web Site:Legalize Marijuana Partyhttp://www.jersey.net/~njdevil/Candidate is After Jurors, Not Voters - 10/25/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3403.shtmlCandidate for State Assembly Seat Charged with MJ - 10/17/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3314.shtmlN.J. League Site Puts Candidates On The Internet - 10/14/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3272.shtmlAssembly Candidate is Arrested in Stratford - 10/13/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3263.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by steve1 on November 01, 1999 at 18:00:10 PT spiratual purposes I find a spiratual quality to cannabis as well. The laws have to change. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: