Judge says cook had better use legit herbs from now on

A Round Lake Beach man who told police he likes to use marijuana in soups and teas was placed on 18 months' probation Friday.

Lake County Circuit Judge John Phillips told Bradley Munts to keep his spice rack legal while under the supervision of the court.

Munts, 20, was arrested April 12, 2007, when the woman he rented a basement apartment from at 1219 Fairfield Road told police he had marijuana in his living area.

Police found two ounces of the drug under a blanket on Munts' bed. He told police he did not sell the weed to others.

"He lives on the fringe of life; chronically underemployed or unemployed with nomadic living situations," Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Steven DeRue said.

"All he seems to care about is this so-called 'Cannabis Culture' he is so involved in and what he can cook up next in the kitchen."

Assistant Public Defender Katherine Hatch asked Phillips to go easy on Munts, who has no prior criminal record.

"He is not violent, and just because he has a lifestyle the majority does not accept, does not make it wrong," Hatch said. "I know marijuana is illegal in this state, but in others he would be allowed to possess an amount for personal use."

Phillips said he was concerned that warrants for Munts' arrest had to be issued twice while the case was pending because he skipped court dates, and he once tested positive for marijuana use.

He warned Munts against further violations and said he could still wind up in prison.

"You are not going to be known as the 'Stoned Chef' or whatever it is while you are on probation," Phillips said. "You may disagree with the law, but you had better not act on it until the law changes."

He told Munts not to live anywhere where plants are growing that could not easily be identified and ordered him to do 75 hours of public service.

Munts also will have to get a substance abuse evaluation and enter whatever job training programs his probation officer recommends.