Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes issued an apology Friday for violating the city’s drugfree workplace policy this week when he returned to his city office with recreational marijuana.
On Tuesday, Holmes drew significant attention when he was among the first people in Seattle to buy 2 grams of recreational marijuana -- 1 gram for posterity and one “for personal enjoyment,” he said. Voters approved recreational marijuana with the passage of Initiative 502 in November 2012.
The day after Holmes held his marijuana for news cameras, a memo went to city employees reminding them city buildings are still a drug-free workplace.
The memo said violations of the city's drug-free workplace policy may subject an employee to disciplinary actions. It also said that marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law and possession on city premises must be prohibited.
In a Friday statement, Holmes acknowledged that he violated the city’s rules.
“I have discussed the violation with the city personnel department director, and I have volunteered to donate $3,000 to the Downtown Emergency Service Center,” Holmes said. “I apologize to my employees, all city employees and to the public.”
Assistant City Attorney Matthew York was pictured near Holmes on Tuesday when the city attorney bought marijuana. But York told KIRO 7 he was present in an official capacity as the South Precinct liaison attorney and did not purchase anything.
Shortly after Holmes made news for his marijuana purchase, a drawing depicting a stoned city attorney smoking a joint at his desk was posted at the West Precinct in an area where only officers can go.
“Dude, I totally rolled this with an assault on an officer report … hehe ... whoa,” the drawing read. Holmes appears to have a pack of Cheetos and a police report on his desk. A lava lamp is behind him and his eyes are bloodshot.
Asked about the drawing, Seattle police spokesman Sean Whitcomb said Thursday: “We have very good artists on this department.”
“This is going to represent some people’s perspective,” he said, “but not everybody’s.”
Click here to read more about Holmes marijuana purchase and the Seattle police drawing, which was posted in an officers-only area of the West Precinct.
Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes’ full statement
The City of Seattle is a “drug-free workplace” under federal law, and our personnel rules reflect these sound workplace policies. Not only are controlled substances (like marijuana) banned from city offices, City employees cannot possess them while on City business.
So what is the rule when “City business” includes successful drug policy reform – specifically, transition from prohibition to a fully legal, regulated and taxed marijuana supply system? I was elected to drive such reform, and to eradicate the illegal marijuana market. I intended my public purchase at Seattle’s first legal store to bolster the transition.
The workplace rule has not changed, however. When I brought the unopened marijuana to City offices – trying to keep up with a busy schedule -- I nonetheless violated the City’s rules. At the end of the business day, I took the marijuana home and left it there, still unopened, before I participated in the second Community Walk of the Mayor’s Summer of Safety.
I have discussed the violation with the City Personnel Department director, and I have volunteered to donate $3,000 to the Downtown Emergency Service Center. I apologize to my employees, all City employees and to the public.
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