Is the Libertarian Party being taken over by weirdoes? That's the buzz in WorldNetDaily, Newsweek and other media these days.

Some Libertarians have gone as far as to speak out against this year's California gubernatorial candidate, Gary Copeland, accusing him of squandering what little credibility the party might have, because he is running as a "practicing Druid." Similar concerns have been raised over "Friend of the Ferret," Pat Wright, the Libertarian nominee for Lieutenant Governor.

Has the Libertarian Party taken a step backwards in California? Perhaps, but only because of the increasingly vicious attacks on third-party candidates who campaign on forbidden issues like medical marijuana.

As one WND reader recently observed, "So maybe it's a good thing that Libertarians are challenging political stereotypes by running 'weirdoes.' Hell, after the way the state of California ran gubernatorial candidate Steve Kubby out of here on trumped up charges, I'm thankful the party found anyone willing to run in this state."

Those familiar with my case, which centered around my medically-approved use of marijuana and was reported in over 250 news stories, know that my gubernatorial campaign statements, writings and political speeches were used against me both to obtain the search warrant and in my trial. Furthermore, at the request of the prosecutors and ruling of the judge, Libertarians were forbidden from serving on the jury.

During my trial, an entire day was spent trying to show that I have violated the Fair Political Practices Act. As recorded in courtroom testimony, the State of California accused me of not providing a list of those who gave me money for the year prior to my running for office. Only after extensive cross examination and actual review of the law, were my attorneys finally able to show that there is no such requirement.

In Russia they used to say that you could vote for anyone you want, so long as they were a Communist. Apparently, in the U.S. you too can vote for anyone you want, so long as they are a Democrat or a Republican.

Of course, new candidates should be warned that forbidden topics will not be tolerated in elections. According to official U.S. documents posted by the Department of Justice, if the topic is drugs, the punishment could be as bad as the crime of furnishing information about making bombs.

That's right; in a December 2001 National Drug Intelligence Center document, the U.S. Justice Department warns that "Legal issues involved in limiting the dissemination of bombmaking information ... can be applied to the dissemination of information that facilitates drug crimes."

Here is a chilling description of those who are now going to be targeted for prosecution by the DOJ:

• "Drug-culture advocates are chiefly interested in expanding the size of the community to both legitimize their activity and increase pressure on lawmakers to change or abolish drug control laws."

• "Advocates of an expanded freedom of expression are purveyors of information with yet another agenda. These individuals and groups publish information on the Internet to push the boundaries of self-expression and the First Amendment."

• "Anarchist individuals and groups, who protest against or seek to abolish current legal, social, or economic structures, disseminate drug information on the Internet to advance their cause by promoting countercultural behavior."

Say what you want about the Druid and Ferret Man, but I support these brave gentleman, just as I support my party. Given the laws and abuse of power by the ruling parties, I'm grateful for anyone who will run under such corrupt conditions.

Related column:

Libertarian druid for governor?

Steve Kubby was the Libertarian gubernatorial candidate for California and played a key role in the passage of Proposition 215, California's historic medical marijuana law. He is the author of two books on drug policy reform and the founder of the American Medical Marijuana Association. His current position is as producer for the Pot-TV News.