TRENTON - A coalition of groups advocating for marijuana legalization in New Jersey have announced plans for a "NJ Spring Smoke-Out" rally outside the Statehouse in Trenton this month.

The March 21 demonstration supports legalization and "any progressive measures on marijuana," according to a Facebook page for the event.

A "Million Joint March" is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at the NJ Transit River Line Station near the Trenton Transit Center and proceed to the Statehouse.

At 4:20 p.m. the group will "smoke out" the Statehouse by lighting up across the street from the main entrance, according to organizers.

One thing that marijuana activism is lacking in New Jersey is a street presence, said Ed Forchion, who is known as NJ Weedman.

"That is how the civil rights movement did it," said Forchion who is one of the organizers. "This event is an act of civil disobedience and we are hoping to catch the public's awareness."

A similar event held outside the Statehouse in October had more than 250 participants. About 75 people smoked marijuana in protest during that rally.

The organizers include the East Coast Cannabis Coalition, the Coalition for Medical Marijuana - New Jersey, CB Delaware, Delaware NORML, Decarcerate the Garden State, The Legalize Marijuana Party, Legalize Cannabis in Atlantic City and Fully Baked Radio. Forchion said the group also hopes to include the newly formed Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey.

Jenna Pizzi may be reached at jpizzi@njtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennaPizzi. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.