'Njweedman' indicted for refusing to submit DNA

Marijuana-legalization advocate Ed "njweedman" Forchion may be heading back
to jail.


On Thursday, a grad jury indicted the Pemberton Township resident for
refusing to submit a DNA sample, which under a new state law is required of
all state prisoners and parolees.

Forchion, who was convicted in October 2000 of possessing 40 pounds of
marijuana, has challenged the constitutionality of the law in federal
court. Since he was released from state prison in April 2002, Forchion
believes it is an after-the-fact form of punishment that is also an illegal
invasion of his privacy.

"Its about the Constitution, and this is another unconstitutional Act on
the part of the state," Forchion said.

The law, which Gov. James McGreevey signed Sept 22, expanded the crimes for
which DNA samples can be collected for inclusion in a database. Under the
previous law, Forchion would not have to provide a DNA sample.

Bill Shralow, spokesman for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, said he
was was not aware of anyone else who has failed to comply with the new law.

"This particular indictment only applies to Mr. Forchion, but clearly the
message is, people need to comply with court orders to submit DNA samples,
or they can be held responsible," Shralow said.

Forchion is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow in state Superior Court in
Camden. If convicted, he faces up to 18 months in prison


Pubdate: Sunday 11 Jan 2004
Source: Burlington County Times (NJ)
Copyright: 2004 Calkins Newspapers. Inc.
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