Canadian Immigration Official Rejects Petition for Refugee Status From California Medical Marijuana Advocate

A member of the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board on Monday rejected a petition for refugee status from California medical marijuana advocate Steve Kubby, who said that he would face "political persecution and would die in jail if he were returned" to the United States, the Los Angeles Times reports (Bailey, Los Angeles Times, 12/9). Kubby, who fled to British Columbia after a 1999 raid on his medical marijuana crop, also said that the U.S. government has attempted to undermine Proposition 215, which allows California residents to grow and use marijuana for medical purposes, and prosecute medical marijuana advocates (California Healthline, 3/6). According to the Times, IRB member Paulah Dauns said in a 71-page decision that Kubby does not face "risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment, or a risk to his life" and concluded that "his jailers would almost certainly take pains to fulfill Kubby's medical needs and allow him access to marijuana." By law, Kubby has 30 days to leave Canada. However, Kubby said that he would appeal the decision, which could delay his deportation for as long as three years (Los Angeles Times, 12/9).