Pubdate: Thu, 30 Jan 2014
Source: Hunterdon County Democrat (Flemington, NJ)
Copyright: 2014 Hunterdon County Democrat
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/3yHVqfQj
Website: http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5109
Author: Jenna Pizzi, The Times of Trenton

NJ WEEDMAN RELEASED FROM JAIL AFTER JUDGE RECONSIDERS HIS SENTENCE

A well-known marijuana activist has been released from jail, his 
attorney said this afternoon.

A Burlington County judge reconsidered the sentence imposed on Ed 
Forchion, known as "NJ Weedman," after a motion made by his attorney. 
Forchion's attorney, who asked not to be named, said today the judge 
re-sentenced his client to "time served," meaning he will not have to 
return to jail.

Last year Forchion was sentenced to an unusual 270-day staggered jail 
sentence, allowing him to serve his time in 20 20-day periods of 
incarceration. The staggered sentence allowed Forchion to have 10-day 
periods of release to receive treatment for cancerous giant cell 
tumors in his legs. Forchion says he needs medical marijuana to ease 
the pain caused by the tumors.

Forchion was convicted of possession of marijuana after a 2010 motor 
vehicle stop in Evesham. He was initially charged with possession and 
distribution, but was acquitted on the distribution charge in a jury trial.

Forchion's attorney said he filed the motion because at the time of 
sentencing the judge said he would reconsider once a portion of his 
jail time was up.

Forchion will still have to pay fines and penalties, but his sentence 
does not include any time on probation, his attorney said.
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