FORMER CALIFORNIA LIBERTARIAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ARRESTED IN CANADA

SECHELT, British Columbia (AP) -- A medical marijuana activist and former
California gubernatorial candidate wanted in Placer County for failing to
serve jail time has been arrested, Royal Canadian Mounted police officials
said.

Steve Kubby, 55, a 1998 Libertarian candidate for governor and a force
behind the passage of a California proposition that legalized pot clubs, has
been living in Canada in violation of a court-ordered 120-day jail stay. He
was arrested Tuesday.

Kubby was convicted of two misdemeanor drug-possession counts in December
2000, but failed to surrender to the Placer County jail as ordered on July
25, 2001.

He has said that a 120-day incarceration without access to marijuana therapy
would be a death sentence. Kubby suffers from adrenal cancer, and claims pot
has preserved his life for more than 15 years.

Although Kubby and his wife, Michele, prevailed on the more serious
marijuana cultivation and sales allegations, he was found guilty of
possessing small amounts of two illegal substances found in his Olympic
Valley house.

In a telephone interview with The Sacramento Bee on Wednesday, Michele Kubby
said her husband's immigration lawyer in Canada was attempting to secure his
release on bail.

Recently, the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento ruled that Kubby's
appeal would be dismissed unless he surrenders to Placer County officials
within 30 days.

The appellate court ruled that, as a fugitive from justice, Kubby "has
forfeited his right to appeal his jail term."