FORMER GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, WIFE PLEAD INNOCENT TO DRUG CHARGES

TAHOE CITY, Calif. (AP) -- Last year's California Libertarian gubernatorial
candidate and his wife have pleaded innocent to felony charges of growing
and selling marijuana.

Steven Kubby, a supporter of medical marijuana, and his wife, Michele, were
arrested at their Olympic Valley home Jan. 19 by a drug task force after a
six-month investigation. Some 360 marijuana plants were seized.

At their arraignment Thursday, Superior Court Judge James Garbolino
scheduled the couple's preliminary trial for March 2. They remain free on
their own recognizance after spending two days in Placer County Jail.

The Kubbys have said growing their own marijuana is legal under
California's Proposition 215, passed by voters in 1996. Kubby, 52, has had
adrenal cancer since 1975 and his wife has an intestinal disorder.

Kubby finished fourth in the race for governor last fall, receiving about 1
percent of the vote.