'WEEDMAN' SEEKS ASYLUM FROM CUBA

TRENTON (AP) -- He tried to change the system by civil disobedience and
running for elected office. Now the candidate who campaigned as "NJ
Weedman" says he wants asylum.

Instead of facing a possible prison sentence in New Jersey, Edward Forchion
is in Canada hoping the Cuban Embassy will take him in.

"I can't just walk into jail," Forchion told a newspaper Thursday.

Forchion arrived in Ottawa on Wednesday and met with officials at the Cuban
Embassy. His verbal request for asylum was denied and he was asked to
submit one in writing, Forchion said.

"I didn't hurt anybody. I should be allowed to smoke," he said.

Authorities alleged Forchion was part of a drug ring that had 25 pounds of
marijuana shipped to a business in the Bellmawr Industrial Park in Camden
County.

In October 1998, Forchion was indicted on charges of conspiracy and
possession with intent to distribute.

He was on the ballot at the time as the "legalize marijuana party"
candidate looking to replace Rep. Robert E. Andrews, D-Haddon Heights.

Forchion pleaded guilty in state Superior Court to conspiracy and
possession. With a hearing set for Dec. 1, he faced up to 10 years in state
prison.

He has since filed a motion seeking to retract that guilty plea.

Arrests and political campaigns continued.

In March, Forchion appeared at the State House for an Assembly session
wearing a black and white striped prisoner's costume.

On the floor of the Assembly chambers, Forchion allegedly smoked marijuana.
He was escorted out by state troopers and arrested.

He said it was an act of civil disobedience to highlight what he said is
the state's discrimination against marijuana users.

Forchion ran again this year as a third-party opponent to Andrews. He also
was on the ballot in Burlington County for a seat on the freeholder board.

During a campaign news conference outside the courthouse in Mount Holly,
Forchion again reportedly smoked marijuana. That appearance was ended by
the Burlington County sheriff.

If Forchion does not appear in court for his sentencing hearing, he would
be considered a fugitive.

"The prosecutor will move to revoke bail and begin proceedings to have any
posted bail forfeited and to seek to have that defendant extradited,"
Camden County prosecutor's spokesman Greg Reinert told the newspaper.