TRENTON — Ed "NJ Weedman" Forchion, the perennial pro-marijuana candidate who was kept off the ballot for lack of signatures, filed a federal lawsuit Friday asking the court to issue an injunction blocking the printing of the November ballot until a recount is completed in the 3rd Congressional District.

In June, Forchion, representing the Legalize Marijuana Party, filed to run for the open seat, but the state Democratic Committee challenged his candidacy.

After a 15-hour administrative law hearing, more than half of the 208 signatures he submitted were invalidated, leaving him a few shy of the required 100. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, in her role as the state's top election official, adopted the judge's ruling.

He appealed, arguing that some signatures were wrongfully tossed, but his case stalled in the Appellate Division until he could produce more than $3,500 worth of transcripts from the hearing.

"The appeals court is not acting to ensure democracy is protected, instead is choosing to help state officials censor the Legalize Marijuana party by inaction," he wrote in his suit.

With the election only six weeks away, Forchion is running out of time.

"It's in plain sight for anyone to see," he said, referring to at least five valid signatures that were discounted. "If I can get a federal judge to just look for a minute, he's going to see that I'm right and he's going to have to intercede."

Sept. 15 marked the state's deadline to prepare the ballots for printing, but Forchion remains hopeful.

"I feel like I've had good luck with the federal courts in the past," he said. "I can bring in other arguments, but I just want a simple recount. … I want to be on the sample ballot because that's where I'll get votes."

Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.