T
The420Guy
Guest
AUBURN -- In a decisive victory for medical marijuana patients, the judge in
the trial of Steve and Michele Kubby today reduced the two convictions
against Steve from felonies to misdemeanors, and ruled that Steve could
continue to use medical marijuana as allowed under California law --
decisions hailed by Libertarians, the state party announced.
"We are thrilled with the outcome of today's hearing," declared Libertarian
state executive director Juan Ros, who was present in the Auburn courtroom.
"This is a major step forward for all medical marijuana patients, and
Libertarians are proud of Steve and Michele Kubby, who fought for their
beliefs and prevailed."
At today's hearing, Judge John L. Cosgrove reduced the two felony
convictions against Steve -- possession of a mushroom stem and possession of
a minute quantity of peyote -- to misdemeanors, causing Kubby supporters in
the courtroom to erupt in cheers. Steve was placed on three years' probation
and ordered to pay a fine of $2,700. He is also subject to electronic home
monitoring for 120 days.
But in an extraordinary victory for medical marijuana patients, Cosgrove
ruled that Steve could continue using medical marijuana during his
probation. Immediately following that ruling, Deputy District Attorney Chris
Cattran filed a motion to dismiss all remaining charges against Steve and
Michele, thereby avoiding a costly retrial and finally ending the Kubbys'
ordeal.
"That the judge is allowing Steve to continue using medical marijuana is an
enormous breakthrough," Ros added. "The District Attorney saw the writing on
the wall and wisely decided to save the taxpayers the expense of a retrial.
All in all, this has been a great day for patients, Libertarians, and the
cause of health freedom in California."
Libertarian state chairman Aaron Starr commented, "On behalf of the 95,000
California Libertarians, I thank Steve and Michele Kubby for their courage,
their honesty, and their commitment to the cause of liberty and freedom for
patients suffering everywhere. They deserve nothing but congratulations and
gratitude -- and some well-deserved rest."
Steve Kubby, the 1998 Libertarian Party candidate for governor of
California, was arrested along with his wife Michele in January 1999 during
a raid of their home. The Kubbys were charged with a combined 19 counts,
most dealing with their use of medical marijuana. Steve suffers from a rare
form of adrenal cancer, while Michele suffers from irritable bowel syndrome.
Both Kubbys had obtained physician recommendations to use medical marijuana
as required under California's Compassionate Use Act.
Last December the jury in the Kubby trial deadlocked 11-1 on the medical
marijuana charges. Michele was acquitted of the two remaining charges
against her.
Concluded Ros, "Steve and Michele Kubby were victims of a politically
motivated attempt to make examples of them, and this trial should never have
happened in the first place. Fortunately we have won this battle, but the
war wages on and Libertarians will continue to fight until we are victorious
against the War on Drugs."
the trial of Steve and Michele Kubby today reduced the two convictions
against Steve from felonies to misdemeanors, and ruled that Steve could
continue to use medical marijuana as allowed under California law --
decisions hailed by Libertarians, the state party announced.
"We are thrilled with the outcome of today's hearing," declared Libertarian
state executive director Juan Ros, who was present in the Auburn courtroom.
"This is a major step forward for all medical marijuana patients, and
Libertarians are proud of Steve and Michele Kubby, who fought for their
beliefs and prevailed."
At today's hearing, Judge John L. Cosgrove reduced the two felony
convictions against Steve -- possession of a mushroom stem and possession of
a minute quantity of peyote -- to misdemeanors, causing Kubby supporters in
the courtroom to erupt in cheers. Steve was placed on three years' probation
and ordered to pay a fine of $2,700. He is also subject to electronic home
monitoring for 120 days.
But in an extraordinary victory for medical marijuana patients, Cosgrove
ruled that Steve could continue using medical marijuana during his
probation. Immediately following that ruling, Deputy District Attorney Chris
Cattran filed a motion to dismiss all remaining charges against Steve and
Michele, thereby avoiding a costly retrial and finally ending the Kubbys'
ordeal.
"That the judge is allowing Steve to continue using medical marijuana is an
enormous breakthrough," Ros added. "The District Attorney saw the writing on
the wall and wisely decided to save the taxpayers the expense of a retrial.
All in all, this has been a great day for patients, Libertarians, and the
cause of health freedom in California."
Libertarian state chairman Aaron Starr commented, "On behalf of the 95,000
California Libertarians, I thank Steve and Michele Kubby for their courage,
their honesty, and their commitment to the cause of liberty and freedom for
patients suffering everywhere. They deserve nothing but congratulations and
gratitude -- and some well-deserved rest."
Steve Kubby, the 1998 Libertarian Party candidate for governor of
California, was arrested along with his wife Michele in January 1999 during
a raid of their home. The Kubbys were charged with a combined 19 counts,
most dealing with their use of medical marijuana. Steve suffers from a rare
form of adrenal cancer, while Michele suffers from irritable bowel syndrome.
Both Kubbys had obtained physician recommendations to use medical marijuana
as required under California's Compassionate Use Act.
Last December the jury in the Kubby trial deadlocked 11-1 on the medical
marijuana charges. Michele was acquitted of the two remaining charges
against her.
Concluded Ros, "Steve and Michele Kubby were victims of a politically
motivated attempt to make examples of them, and this trial should never have
happened in the first place. Fortunately we have won this battle, but the
war wages on and Libertarians will continue to fight until we are victorious
against the War on Drugs."