Known as the NJWeedman, Edward Forchion is upfront about his underground weed business. He opened a storefront on E State Street in Trenton where he sells everything from flowers, cannabis concentrates and edibles. With the state still months away from actually opening up its marijuana marketplace, NJWeedman's Joint is one of the only places defying the government's rollout.
"I say I'm like the people's champ right now...the Robinhood reefer," Forchion said.
The 56-year-old has been in the marijuana business for years, with his first arrest dated back to 1997. Forchion has faced several drugs-related arrests and charges since, but now that marijuana is legal, his past convictions have only strengthened his drive to challenge the new regulatory system.
Asked if he's daring police to arrest him, Forchion says he's not daring cops but rather politicians. "I believe the reason why I'm not being arrested is because of my past success," he said.
Under new guidelines released by state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal last month, police are no longer allowed to detain or arrest people for possessing or distributing small amounts of marijuana. Being under the influence of marijuana or possessing related paraphernalia are no longer crimes for people 21 and over.
The new Cannabis Regulatory Commission has to set up other rules and dole out licenses for storefronts like Forchion's to legally operate, and licenses have been tightly capped.
"I have said there should be thousands of me like this all over the state. Instead, the governor's plan is to license 37 places, big corporations, to grow marijuana and everyone else is supposed to buy from them," Forchion said.