Document:California Press Release 20 January 1999 Former Libertarian Candidate Arrested
- ===============================================
- NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
- 400 Capitol Mall, Suite 900
- Sacramento, CA 95814
- (916) 449-3941
- ===============================================
- For immediate release: January 20, 1999
- ===============================================
- For additional information:
- Juan Ros, Executive Director
- Phone: (818) 506-0200
- Fax: (818) 506-0212
- Mailto:director@ca.lp.org
- Web: http://www.ca.lp.org/
- ===============================================
Former Libertarian candidate arrested; party condemns police action
SACRAMENTO -- Steve Kubby, the 1998 Libertarian candidate for governor of California, and his wife Michele were arrested Tuesday morning in a police raid of their home in Olympic Valley.
Steve, 52, and Michele, 32, were taken to Placer County Jail where bail was set at $100,000 each. Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Tahoe City Court. The Kubbys are charged with unauthorized cultivation, harvesting and processing of marijuana; possession with intent to sell; and conspiracy.
"This arrest is an outrage and a slap across the faces of California voters," declared Libertarian state chair Mark Hinkle. "Steve and Michele Kubby are law-abiding citizens and the police have no authority to raid their home, throw them in jail, and jeopardize Steve's health."
Steve, publisher of the online recreational magazine "Alpine World," played a key role in Proposition 215, the medical marijuana initiative which voters overwhelmingly approved in November, 1996.
Steve was diagnosed with adrenal cancer in 1975 and uses medical marijuana under doctor's orders. His cancer is currently in remission. He also takes medical marijuana to treat high blood pressure. Since his arrest, Steve has been denied access to his medicine.
"How long will the state of California continue violating the will of the voters? How many people will have to suffer or die before the government realizes the extreme harm it is causing medical marijuana patients who are denied their rightful medicine?" asked Hinkle.
State Attorney General Bill Lockyer announced earlier this month that he would be taking a softer stance on Prop. 215 than his predecessor Dan Lungren did. But Libertarians aren't holding their breath.
"Is yesterday's action an example of what Californians can expect under Lockyer's watch? The Libertarian Party of California condemns the Kubbys' arrest in no uncertain terms, and we urge Mr. Lockyer to order all local law enforcement to immediately cease raiding and arresting medical marijuana patients who are following the law," Hinkle stated. "Let Steve and Michele Kubby go."
Yesterday's arrest was the first for both Kubbys.