POT ADVOCATE REQUESTS HOUSE ARREST

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.