Rastafarian NJ Weedman Celebrates "One Bud"

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At the age of 15, Ed Forchion, better known as the New Jersey Weedman aka NJ Weedman.com, smoked his first marijuana cigarette and was immediately impressed by its medical healing powers with regard to his asthma. By age 18 he was a regular user of marijuana and he dismissed the Surgeon General's claims of its harms as "propaganda and superstition."
An avowed Rastafarian rebel, the former New Jersey resident has openly and indiscriminately incorporated the use of marijuana into his daily practices and spiritual belief system, to the chagrin of public authorities, elected officials and law enforcement. A well known cannabis activist, even before its legalization in several states and founder of the Legalize Marijuana Party in 1998, NJ Weedman achieved cult status and media notoriety when he was arrested for smoking the sacred herb in front of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, PA.

Needless to say, when Ed Forchion resided in the state of New Jersey, he was a target. A disarming intellectual, with a vitae that includes running for Governor, Senator and a Congressional seat in the state of New Jersey, as well as a stint in prison for various related herb charges, the self-professed "pot head" finally tired of fighting the powers that be. In 2008, NJ Weedman fled New Jersey in a self imposed political exile to sunny California, a state that, per the passage of the Prop. 215 Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and SB420 recognizes the legal use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Opening a legal medical marijuana dispensary on Hollywood Boulelvard, in, of all places, Hollywood, CA and thumbing his nose at his restrictive former East coast digs, he has named the shop Liberty Bell Temple. Located at 5642 Hollywood Boulevard, the dispensary's name represents the basic concepts of democracy and faith.

A true "Superhero of the Potheads, " NJ Weedman is indeed a cult figure for all his former East Coast cohorts. He regularly updates his YouTube channel with vivid coverage of the happenings in his shop, including specials on the vast varietals of medicinal marijuana he is now able to serve up legally daily to his patients. With coverage spanning CNN to MSNBC, national and international news media consider him a leading 'talking head' on all things cannabis.

"One Bud, Liberty Bell Temple" is NJ Weedman's musical ode to marijuana. The music video was filmed at his legendary dispensary and rocks with rhythm as he tributes his new found freedom of expression after so many years of suppression. "One Bud" is directed by the talented up and coming filmaker HAK and performed by Tay Nati from Cincinatti, Ohio. Perhaps the first medical marijuana dispensary to boast its own music video, the new release can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqnjtzGZSgs.

"In New Jersey, I got hassled, fired from my job, and attacked by police, " Forchion recalls. "Out here, nobody bothers me. My patients include entertainers, rappers, ultimate fighters and professionals including postal carriers, schoolteachers, and suits-and-tie types. They come heads held high, carrying state-issued medical cards. We have people with MS, people in wheelchairs, folks dealing with HIV and cancer. I am blessed to finally be able to implement Jah's law and love and legally distribute nature's healing herb."

NJ Weedman will celebrate his newfound democracy and faith on Friday, August 14 with a "Rooftop, Reefer, Reggae Leo Party." Details for the event can be found at jazzmynepr@gmail.com.

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