Man Claims Closing Cannabis Temple Violates Religious Freedom

Cannabis advocate and enthusiast Ed Forchion, aka “NJ Weedman,” went to court recently to claim that his religious rights were violated when the cannabis temple he built next to the restaurant he owns was shut down.

According to USA Today, Forchion, who has been in the news many times before for his advocacy and court appearances, is claiming that his cannabis temple should be able to stay open after 11:00pm, because that is when his congregation meets to smoke together. The police in Trenton, NJ shut it down because they claimed he was violating a law by operating outside of allowed business hours.

“I call it a midnight mass,” Forchion claimed in an interview with USA Today. “I grew up in the Baptist church and have been to plenty of midnight services and midnight revivals. I should have the same rights as the Shiloh Baptist Church.”

Forchien has been a long-time advocate and smoker in New Jersey, and has often been to court claiming that his rights as an African American, cannabis user and Rastafarian are being violated. He has also been arrested several times for possession, and had one of his cannabis farms raided. So far he hasn’t had any luck in court but his attorney, John Vincent Saykanik, is still hopeful.

“It’s a long shot, but long shots do come in,” he stated.

Forchion is used to being in the public eye due to speaking out and doing time for cannabis use, but recently he was attempting to live more quietly, running a cannabis-themed restaurant and his temple on the side. However, numerous complaints have been filed against him, including the claim that gunshots were fired in the area, something he really resents.

“I’m promoting peace and love in a violent city,” Forchion told USA Today. “It’s the marijuana culture. We’re much more likely to give something to you than take something from you.”