Ed 'NJ Weedman' Forchion posted a video on Facebook rolling and smoking a joint, vowing to fight the charges against him after police raided his business
TRENTON - Within hours after being released on $70,000 bail following a police raid on his restaurant and sanctuary, a defiant Ed "NJ Weedman" Forchion recorded a Facebook video of him smoking marijuana while vowing to fight the charges.
Forchion, 51, was one of 11 people arrested and charged in a raid on his Trenton restaurant, NJ Weedman's Joint, and adjacent "cannabis church," the Liberty Bell Temple on Wednesday.
"I don't care what they do,'' Forchion said in the video, a freshly-rolled joint in his hand. "I'm going to keep going forward.''
County narcotics agents and Trenton police said they received complaints about excessive foot traffic at all hours and suspicion of marijuana distribution at the establishments. The raid followed a two-month investigation.
Authorities say pot sales led to raid
"I'm out - I was released at 8:30 pm tonight - 29 hours after arrest," Forchion posted on Facebook Friday morning. "I read some of the press and I'm shocked the Police exaggerated and misconstrued the goings on at The Temple. I want to comment and respond in my own words."
He said he plans to hold a 4 p.m. press conference Friday to discuss the case.
Forchion was charged with 13 counts of marijuana possession and distribution, having a fortified premises, two counts of paraphernalia possession and maintaining a narcotics nuisance, prosecutors said.
Nine others were arrested during the 3:30 p.m. raid on the restaurant and sanctuary. Another suspect was arrested and charged with minor marijuana possession during a second raid on a house on South Olden Avenue in Hamilton, prosecutors said.
Of the 10 others who were arrested, three were charged with drug offenses. The remainder had outstanding warrants.
"We'll see you two years from now," Forchion said. "NJ Weedman versus Mercer County.''
Keith Brown may be reached at kbrown@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBrownTrenton. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
