Judge steps down, protests tougher marijuana law
Rocky Mountain News
Published February 13, 2007 at midnight
Leonard Frieling, a Lafayette municipal court judge, resigned his position after city council decided to stiffen penalties for marijuana possession, the Boulder Daily Camera reported this morning.
"I cannot in good conscience sit on the bench while being unwilling to enforce the municipal ordinances," Frieling said in a resignation letter to city officials.
"Specifically, since you have seen fit to increase the penalty for cannabis possession from a $100 fine to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail, I find that I am morally and ethically unable to sit as a judge for the city."
Last week, Lafayette City Council passed an ordinance on first reading to increase the penalty for marijuana possession. Final approval is expected next week.
Frieling told the Camera he was willing to enforce the previous ordinance despite a personal belief that the war on marijuana is "ridiculous," but said state statute makes possession of less than an ounce a petty offense with a $100 maximum fine.
Lafayette Mayor Chris Berry said the intent in changing the city ordinance was to increase the maximum penalty available to judges when sentencing marijuana offenders under different circumstances.
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