MARIJUANA CRUSADER SENT BACK TO U.S.

VANCOUVER -- American medical marijuana crusader Steve Kubby was
reluctantly deported back to California Thursday, where his lawyer
says he faces a "death penalty."

"I'm being forced into a medical experiment -- this is a very serious
threat to me," a shaky Kubby said from the international departure
lounge of Vancouver Airport as he leaned on his wife, Michele, for
support. "My wife likens it to taking insulin away from a diabetic."

Earlier this week, a Federal Court judge rejected Kubby's final
appeal to stay in Canada. Michele told court her husband, who is
stricken with adrenal cancer and has used pot to ease his symptoms
for nearly 20 years, would die if he returned to California to serve
out a drug sentence.

Four years ago, Kubby was handed a 120-day sentence in Placer County,
near Sacramento, for possession of peyote and a magic mushroom stem.
He was told he could serve it under house arrest but instead the
family, including two children, fled to Canada in 2001.

He claimed refugee status based on the fact he said he'd be
persecuted and his life would be at risk if he was sent back.

Kubby's U.S. lawyer, Bill McPike, said his client will likely be arrested.

"Officials in Canada might be sending him back to a death sentence,"
McPike said, adding he hoped U.S. officials won't try to make an
example of Kubby.

Kubby unsuccessfully ran for governor of California under the
Libertarian party banner in 1998.