Pubdate: Wed, 10 Dec 2003
Source: Olympian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2003, The Olympian
Section: Briefs Across the Northwest
Contact: http://www.theolympian.com/forms/lettrfrm.shtml
Website: http://www.theolympian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/319
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Steve+Kubby

BOARD DENIES REFUGE TO MARIJUANA SMOKER

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- A man who said he would be persecuted
in the United States for smoking marijuana to fight a rare form of
cancer has been denied refugee asylum in Canada.

Steve Kubby lacks reasonable grounds to fear cruel and unusual
punishment and therefore does not need protection, Immigration and
Refugee Board adjudicator Paulah Dauns ruled Monday.

"There are no substantial grounds to believe that his removal to the
United States will subject him personally to a danger of torture,"
Dauns wrote.

Dr. Joseph Connors of the British Columbia Cancer Agency testified
during the hearing in April that Kubby, 57, would die within four days
of not smoking marijuana to relieve the symptoms of adrenal cancer.
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