PROJECT: REOPENING OF THE LIBERTY BELL TEMPLE in TRENTON, NJ

Goal to transfer the California Incorporated Temple to Jersey

Watch this below video after the autoplay video ends further below please

All the battles I’ve fought have lead to this. In the past I’ve had visions and goals that have come to fruition—“Weedstradamus.”

My decades-long fight to legalize marijuana in my home state of New Jersey is now within reach. My vision for 2015 is to successfully reopen the Liberty Bell Temple (III), and I need your help. I believe timing, karma, and righteousness have guided me to this critical point. I need all the green angels out there to join this religious reefer revolution—if you believe in what I stand for (peace, individualism, and freedom), now is the time to support my most ambitious project to date—transposing a West Coast utopia onto the front lines of New Jersey's politics of pot, something we can all be a part of.

BACKGROUND: In 2005 I  became a founding member of the United Cannabis Ministries, a national organization of cannabis churches. In September of 2008 I opened the Liberty Bell Temple II Inc., in Los Angeles (HOLLYWOOD) as the city's only independent and incorporated Rastafarian Temple. The LBT promoted music, solace, and spirituality and provided the sacrament of Ganja to its congregants. In the sea of 980 medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles at the time, the LBT was one of only two RELIGIOUSLY THEMED entities operating in HOLLYWOOD, the other being Craig X's Temple 420. A destination for locals, tourists, and internet-inspired travelers, the LBT quickly became a Hollywood Boulevard social Mecca catering to socially conscience Cannabis Consumers as well as celebrities. It was a positive for the community. 

At one point, July 2010, the City of Los Angeles attempted to close the TEMPLE based on the city's medical marijuana laws. The TEMPLE hired David Welch of the D|R Welch Attorneys at Law P.C.  and sought an injunction in California Superior Court:"During the raid on Liberty Bell Temple II on July 14, 2010, and per our court complaint, the police allegedly made threatening remarks in an attempt to chill the practice of Rastafari by the members of Liberty Bell Temple II," cites Welch. "These acts are a clear violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the California Constitution. We will seek an injunction by the courts to prevent further police activity against the members of Liberty Bell Temple II and their practice and congregation in their Rastafarian faith." (Details: http://tinyurl.com/PR-LBT2) 

Legally the LBT2inc., sought to be treated just like the 980 secular medical marijuana dispensaries. On December 10, 2010, Judge Moher issued an injunction (http://tinyurl.com/Judge-Mohr) allowing medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in Los Angeles and on 1-4-11 he issued a order of “enjoiner” for The Liberty Bell Temple allowing the TEMPLE's legal operation as a Religious Cannabis Church. (http://tinyurl.com/LBT2-enjoiner). This was the first successful court-approved cannabis church ever.

DISASTER STRIKES: On December 13, 2011, (http://tinyurl.com/LADEA-RAID) DEA agents raided the Liberty Bell Temple II plus the TEMPLE's Lounge and grow facilities as well as my home. They seized everything and rendered the TEMPLE insolvent. On February 6th the TEMPLE Closed. (https://youtu.be/6kGUJl1hBcs)

NEW VISION: To transfer the Religious Incorporation from California, to New Jersey asap. After all my years of fighting the good fight, challenging laws and establishing precedents, and in light of the current state of the marijuana laws, I believe the time is right to reopen: In Trenton, NJ. It's high time for a rebirth.

WHO WOULD COME: Thousands would become members, dozens would attend daily. Instead of going to traditional churches, bars, bowling alleys, and other uncomfortable places to socialize with Cannabis Consumers, I would like you to flock to TRENTON to be the congregation of the new LIBERTY BELL TEMPLE.

CURRENT SITUATION:

#1 Choice - A suitable building has been found—but I have no cash to acquire it.      ( SEE VIDEO ABOVE) A storefront location in a neighborhood could suffice, but right now there is a real building with great attributes that's ideal for this THC-inspired vision—for sale. While I believe I could make a Temple out of almost any location, this building could truly be the perfect permanent headquarters of New Jersey's Cannabis-Consuming Community, POLITICAL Headquarters of "unfunded" GrassRoots Activist.  I’d like to ask my supporters and the Cannabis-Consuming Citizens of America to help me achieve this vision, which we would all reap the rewards of—to help me reopen the LIBERTY BELL TEMPLE in TRENTON, NJ, to all comers through the acquisition of this building. I think i put me dues in.

Situated in South Trenton in a commercial/residential zone, the two-story building is adjacent a existing Christian churches and a major bank, It's 1,200 square feet of space per floor plus an enclosed backyard. The first floor is currently set up as a nightclub with a bar and booths and a pool table, and the building comes with an existing liquor license, which would be a bonus to have for fund-raising purposes, social events, and private gatherings. Total price: $249,000 to purchase the entire building. The landlord is willing to hold the mortgage and transfer the city liquor license for one-third down ($70,000), followed by monthly payments of $2,000. Like other religious institutions, this TEMPLE would generate a substantial monthly income through membership fees, donations, and special events.

#2 Choice - I've also located a storefront at 322 East State Street, This location has a commercial kitchen in it. This kitchen would generate a income for myself as well as money to operate the temple (SANCTUARY ROOM), and to fund cannabis legalization projects #legalizenj here in New Jersey.   If this is the start of a great Temple in a storefront - so be it. It will out grow its walls, so fast I will laugh at those who didn't support plan #1 because there will be other #1 buildings.

I BELIEVE I COULD BE THE FACE OF THIS TEMPLE AGAIN

There's been a lot of news about Cannabis Churches,
I want to be the Corporate director of The Liberty Bell Temple III, and I want YOU to become a member. ( We will give every member of our congregation a laminated membership card. )

I want to run the daily operations of this TEMPLE as the director, but it would be staffed by green collar activists, and religious persons - it would become the headquarters of the local unfunded marijuana-legalization organizations and social-awareness causes. I want to openly operate this TEMPLE where congregants can partake of their sacrament in peace and in good company. It would be an immoveable object, a static headquarters for the NJ marijuana-legalization movement and for stoners of all stripes - under our spiritual house.

The LBT3 would once again be a Mecca for potheads, intellectuals, spiritual herbalists—from everyday folks who love herb and one another to green-collar activists who are putting their hearts and souls into amending the unnecessary and unfair marijuana laws (in New Jersey and beyond) to the suit-and-tie types (if they feel like coming through). Special events would include chess nights, Karaoke days, fish fry's, political bull sessions, and religious-reasoning sessions. The sky's the limit on what we can do. "LETS GET HIGH"

I’ve made appeals to the community before, and they have come through, but this is the biggest endeavor I’ve ever asked the Cannabis Community to undertake. I've always believed the religious component of legalization is important, and I have always championed this aspect of the multifaceted argument in favor of legalization. The religious concept is sound, the legal protection is ingrained in the First Amendment and ensured by the Religious Restoration Act. The TEMPLE can work. In fact, it has:

Precedent:

JAH RASTAFARI CENTER: Browns Mills, NJ (1998 –2007)

Liberty Bell Temple II, Los Angeles, CA (9/2008–2/2012)

I loved what I did in Los Angeles, but the government's actions have lead me back to my home turf of New Jersey, and the NJ battle for legalization that I could never truly abandon. My efforts weren’t a cakewalk in California—my KARMA says I was meant to come back to NJ where the frontline battle is. California is where I honed my skills. Now I'm home—New Jersey is my Home. It's where my heart is. I’m a Jersey guy. In a spiritual way I feel guided to be here now, I feel this in my heart, I’m ready to do this here and now.

This TEMPLE is for all of us. If you support what I’ve been saying for all these years and believe in what I’m doing, please contribute.

This TEMPLE is something that we can all celebrate as we make strides to free ourselves from the yoke of cannabis prohibition.

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CURRENT LEGAL NJ ARGUMENTS FOR NJ COURT OF APPEALS:

I HAVE CHALLENGED THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY'S CRIMINAL MARIJUANA LAWS, - ONE STRONG ARGUMENT INCLUDED IN THIS HISTORIC APPEAL IS - THE STATE FAILED TO PROVIDE A RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION TO ITS CRIMINAL LAWS, AS IT HAS DONE FOR A SECULAR (medical) PURPOSE (currently there is no religious cannabis case in New Jersey since 2010 medical laws).

On MAY 4th, 2015 - Oral Arguments scheduled for 9:30am :

Hughes Justice Complex,

NJ Court of Appeals, (Part B)

25 Markets Street,

Trenton , NJ

STATE OF NEW JERSEY vs FORCHION, A-004052, A-004477-12,