FILE – In this March 7, 2016 file photo, Ed Forchion, a pro-marijuana activist dubbed NJ Weedman, stands in front of his Liberty Bell Temple and Sanctuary, next to his Weedman’s Joint restaurant in Trenton, N.J. Forchion has been arrested again on marijuana charges after law enforcement raided his restaurant and cannabis temple Wednesday, April 27, 2016. He was arrested along with 10 other people after a raid of his business, officials announced Thursday. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey marijuana advocate dubbed NJ Weedman says authorities “exaggerated big-time” in charging him with distributing pot.
Ed Forchion (FOHR’-chuhn) told The Trentonian (http://bit.ly/1WXkjft) on Thursday that his arrest has given him a platform to continue with his goal of legalizing marijuana.
Forchion was arrested Wednesday along with 10 other people after a raid of his business across the street from Trenton City Hall.
He described a police estimate that $19,000 in marijuana was confiscated as crazy and disputed the distribution charges he faces because he says police didn’t catch him selling marijuana to anyone.
He says he’s looking forward to taking the case to trial and believes the public is on his side regarding marijuana laws.
Forchion opened NJ Weedman’s Joint and an attached cannabis church last year.
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Information from: The (Trenton, N.J.) Trentonian, http://www.trentonian.com