LOVE IT OR LEAF IT

To avoid a possible prison sentence, Edward Forchion, a pro-marijuana
activist, has fled the country and requested asylum from the Cuban Embassy
in Ottawa.

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 the Courier-Post of Cherry
Hill for its Thursday editions.

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 told the newspaper.

"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 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 U.S. Rep. Rep. Rob Andrews, a Democrat from
Camden County in the 1st Congressional District. Forchion pleaded guilty in
state Superior Court to conspiracy and possession. With a hearing set for

Dec. 1, Forchion 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 began smoking
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 of marijuana users.

Forchion ran again this year as a third-party opponent to Andrews. Forchion
was also 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 began smoking 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.