Grasscity.com Forums - View Single Post - American Medical Marijuana Refugee Ordered To Return To United States

IndianaToker · #18 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 08:07 PM

By Shannon Kari
Source: Globe and Mail

California -- Steve Kubby is asking prosecutors in Placer County, Calif., to show compassion and let him serve a 2001 sentence for drug possession under house arrest instead of in custody.
The medical marijuana advocate made a brief court appearance yesterday. He was arrested by police last week as soon as he arrived in San Francisco on a flight from Vancouver.

Mr. Kubby, 59, faces a maximum of three years in jail for alleged probation violations as well as the 120 days imposed by a California court in 2001 for possession of a minute amount of mescaline and psilocin.

He was joined by his lawyer, Bill McPike, in a courtroom in Auburn, Calif. More than 50 supporters were also there, Mr. McPike said in a phone interview after the hearing.

"The important thing is for everyone to turn the clock back," the lawyer said. "We are trying to get this resolved."

Mr. McPike is asking Placer County not to prosecute Mr. Kubby for the alleged probation violations.

Mr. Kubby, his wife, Michele, and their two daughters fled to British Columbia in the spring of 2001. Mr. Kubby, who suffers from a rare form of adrenal cancer, said he feared being targeted by authorities in Placer County because of his high profile as an advocate for medical marijuana.

The family fought a much-publicized battle to stay in Canada during nearly five years in the country. In January, Mr. Justice Yvon Pinard of the Federal Court of Canada rejected a request for an emergency stay of a removal order. He dismissed suggestions that Mr. Kubby would be put in jail and unable to receive the marijuana he says he needs to control his cancer.

In the five days that Mr. Kubby has been in jail since flying back to the United States, he already appears to have lost a significant amount of weight, his lawyer said.

"He looked really bad," said Mr. McPike, although he added that his client's spirits were lifted during the hearing because of the number of supporters at the courthouse.

Friends of Mr. Kubby managed to obtain a short-term supply of the prescription drug

Marinol, a synthetic form of THC that is legal. It costs about $1,000 for a nine-day supply.

Michele Kubby said yesterday that her husband has been required to sign a waiver that absolves the Placer County jail of responsibility for any health problems, because he is using non-conventional medical treatment.

Mr. Kubby will be back in court on Friday and could hear from prosecutors in Placer County about whether they will proceed with the probation violation charges and seek to keep him in custody.

Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Author: Shannon Kari
Published: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 Page S3
Copyright: 2006 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact: letters@globeandmail.ca
Website: http://www.globeandmail.com/
Link to article: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21546.shtml

#18 (permalink) 02-01-2006, 08:07 PM
IndianaToker Indy :Administrator: Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 9,049	Pot Advocate Requests House Arrest By Shannon Kari Source: Globe and Mail California -- Steve Kubby is asking prosecutors in Placer County, Calif., to show compassion and let him serve a 2001 sentence for drug possession under house arrest instead of in custody. The medical marijuana advocate made a brief court appearance yesterday. He was arrested by police last week as soon as he arrived in San Francisco on a flight from Vancouver. Mr. Kubby, 59, faces a maximum of three years in jail for alleged probation violations as well as the 120 days imposed by a California court in 2001 for possession of a minute amount of mescaline and psilocin. He was joined by his lawyer, Bill McPike, in a courtroom in Auburn, Calif. More than 50 supporters were also there, Mr. McPike said in a phone interview after the hearing. "The important thing is for everyone to turn the clock back," the lawyer said. "We are trying to get this resolved." Mr. McPike is asking Placer County not to prosecute Mr. Kubby for the alleged probation violations. Mr. Kubby, his wife, Michele, and their two daughters fled to British Columbia in the spring of 2001. Mr. Kubby, who suffers from a rare form of adrenal cancer, said he feared being targeted by authorities in Placer County because of his high profile as an advocate for medical marijuana. The family fought a much-publicized battle to stay in Canada during nearly five years in the country. In January, Mr. Justice Yvon Pinard of the Federal Court of Canada rejected a request for an emergency stay of a removal order. He dismissed suggestions that Mr. Kubby would be put in jail and unable to receive the marijuana he says he needs to control his cancer. In the five days that Mr. Kubby has been in jail since flying back to the United States, he already appears to have lost a significant amount of weight, his lawyer said. "He looked really bad," said Mr. McPike, although he added that his client's spirits were lifted during the hearing because of the number of supporters at the courthouse. Friends of Mr. Kubby managed to obtain a short-term supply of the prescription drug Marinol, a synthetic form of THC that is legal. It costs about $1,000 for a nine-day supply. Michele Kubby said yesterday that her husband has been required to sign a waiver that absolves the Placer County jail of responsibility for any health problems, because he is using non-conventional medical treatment. Mr. Kubby will be back in court on Friday and could hear from prosecutors in Placer County about whether they will proceed with the probation violation charges and seek to keep him in custody. Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Author: Shannon Kari Published: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 Page S3 Copyright: 2006 The Globe and Mail Company Contact: letters@globeandmail.ca Website: http://www.globeandmail.com/ Link to article: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21546.shtml