Pubdate: Thu, 25 Mar 2004
Source: City Paper (PA)
Column: Fineprint
Copyright: 2004 CP Communications, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.citypaper.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/88
Author: Morris Bracy IV
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Ed+Forchion (Ed "NJWeedman.com" 
Forchion)

WHAT'S HIS KRYPTONITE?

A caped crusader plans to swoop down on the Superior Court of New Jersey in 
Camden on Friday. But while Ed "NJ Weedman" Forchion isn't likely to be 
confused with a bird or a plane, he may very well be as high as either.

The former truck driver turned legalization activist wants to legally 
change his name and will represent himself in that quest. Goodbye Forchion 
and its Clark Kent vibe. Hello NJWeedman.com! To that end, Forchion -- er, 
Weedman -- will sport a superhero costume, complete with cape, emblem and a 
utility belt equipped with two bong sidearms. (Good luck getting the 
paraphernalia into court.)

This isn't the first attempt at a name change by Weedman, who has also been 
convicted twice of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, according to the 
Camden County prosecutor. In 2002, a Superior Court judge shot down the 
change, ruling that it was merely an attempt to promote the leaf, the 
Courier-Post reported. Not so, says Forchion who appealed on the grounds 
that he didn't get adequate representation.

The name change, he counters, is an "advertising gimmick" designed to draw 
hits on his www.njweedman.com Web site, which includes his philosophy on 
marijuana and life, as well as information about his upcoming race against 
U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton. And, of course, how to get one's hands on a copy of 
Weedman's new comic book, Super-Hero of the Potheads.

Weedman says the hearings are "good for me," noting the inherent free 
publicity. "It gives me the soapbox to stand on. I look forward to a packed 
courthouse."

Regardless of the judge's decision, Weedman will continue a "Smoke-Out" 
campaign that saw followers blazing up at the Liberty Bell in December. 
(Forchion was cited for possession of a controlled substance, despite his 
claims that it was his religious right, as a Rastafarian, to smoke on 
federal property.)

They plan to repeat the event on April 18 at -- huh huh -- 4:20 p.m., 
regardless of their fearless leader's name.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom