What's His Kryptonite?

[SmokeDog420]

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.

Pubdate: Thu, 25 Mar 2004
Source: City Paper (PA)
Column: Fineprint
Copyright: 2004 CP Communications, Inc.
Contact: editorial@citypaper.net