cannabisnews.com: Refugee Roundup in B.C. Refugee Roundup in B.C. Posted by CN Staff on July 14, 2002 at 12:25:26 PT By Chris Bennett Source: High Times Magazine A reputation for tolerance and good cheap bud make British Columbia a logical destination for medical-marijuana patients fleeing the U.S. Drug War. Recent media coverage detailing the plight of these refugees caught the attention of authorities in both countries, resulting in the Canadian roundup and detention of three American medical-pot users. When Canadian immigration authorities and police arrived at Steve Kubby’s home on the morning of April 16, they brought along a grim sense of deja vu. Kubby, 56, the longest living survivor of a rare form of adrenal cancer, attributes his current health and remission of his cancer to cannabis. The fact that his illness requires 50 grams a day led a Placer County, California jury to find him innocent of charges resulting from a 1999 bust that seized 260 plants. Police also found a psilocybin mushroom stem and four peyote buttons, and when prosecutors lost the marijuana case, they proceeded to seek maximum penalties for the other substances. The 120-day jail sentence they seek could mean death for Kubby, whose blood pressure acts unpredictably without cannabis, threatening a stroke or heart attack. The second refugee arrested was Steve Tuck, 34, who faces six trafficking and cultivation charges in Humboldt County, CA. He beat similar charges two years earlier based upon medical necessity. Steel plates in a once-broken back leave him in so much pain that he has been legally prescribed opiates for four years. However, marijuana allows Tuck to use fewer painkillers and lead a relatively normal life. Within hours, activists postered Vancouver with information about the case. “They are being persecuted for using the medicine that works for them,” Hilary Black of the B.C. Compassion Club told the local media. “The Canada I believe in — the Canada I love — protects and cares for victims of political wars. That’s who Steve Kubby and Steve Tuck are.” Noting the groundswell of community support, the judge released Tuck on C$5,000 (US$3,200) bail. But things looked worse for Kubby. His immigration trial had been postponed. Additionally, he and his wife, Michele, were facing Canadian pot charges, filed after police smelled marijuana when they arrived at Kubby’s home to arrest him. Fortunately, immigration attorney Alex Stojicevic was able to secure his release on C$5,000 bail. A third American med-pot patient, 34-year-old Ken Hayes, who suffers from a birth defect which causes considerable back pain, was also snagged. He beat California charges involving the cultivation of more than 500 plants two years ago. But he fled to Canada when U.S. federal authorities, who don’t acknowledge medical use, filed similar charges regarding his involvement with the 6th Street Harm Reduction Center in San Francisco. Unlike Tuck and Kubby, who had been denied marijuana throughout their detainment, Hayes was allowed Marinol. Like Kubby, he faces charges in Canada, following a February cultivation arrest in Vancouver. Those charges must be dealt with before immigration matters are addressed. In fact, the immigration judge released Hayes with no bail, citing the “different” approach Canada undertakes in dealing with such charges. “It’s unfortunate that many people are viewing Canada as a haven to avoid U.S. justice.” —DEA spokesman Richard MeyerNewshawk: http://www.pot-tv.netSource: High Times (US)Author: Chris BennettPublished: June 18, 2002Copyright: 2002 Trans-High CorporationContact: letters hightimes.comWebsite: http://www.hightimes.com/Related Articles:Fleeing North - AlterNethttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13400.shtmlPetaluma Pot Grower Seeks Asylum in Canadahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13318.shtmlDrug Refugees - Report Newsmagazine http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13224.shtmlMedical Marijuana Users Take Refuge in Canadahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12972.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Post Comment