Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes waves his bag of marijuana to waiting photographers after making a purchase inside Cannabis City in Seattle on July 8, 2014. (Elaine Thompson, AP)

Seattle’s city attorney bought weed for his “enjoyment”; Denver’s did not

When Seattle’s lone recreational pot shop, Cannabis City, opened its doors on July 8, Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes was fourth in line.

Yes, he bought some marijuana “for posterity” — but he also bought some “for personal enjoyment.”

Pretty bold, Holmes.

“The most important takeaway here is that today marijuana sales became legal, and I’m here to personally exercise myself this new freedom,” Holmes told media on Tuesday. “I bought two two-gram bags of OG Pearl, which was recommended. I’m keeping one bag for posterity and one for personal enjoyment at some point when it’s appropriate.”

Customer Vivian McPeak, who happens to be the executive director of Seattle Hempfest, said he was proud of his city attorney.

“I’m inherently proud our city attorney has played a groundbreaking role in making this happen, this shift in public policy,” McPeak told a Q13 Fox reporter. “He’s backing up his words and is going to take some big, nice, long, deep tokes at home. I think it’s all right.”


Not pot allowed at the office: Holmes went back to City Hall with his newly-purchased pot. The next day, the city’s personnel department issued a memo reminding employees they can’t have marijuana when they’re on official business or at city offices.


Holmes’ bold move got us wondering: Did Denver City Attorney Scott Martinez buy any marijuana — for personal or professional reasons — on Jan. 1?

“Have I bought any? No, I have not bought any — on Jan. 1 or since then,” Martinez told The Cannabist on July 8. “But I do know Pete. Their city attorney is elected, and he campaigned on this issue.”

Martinez’s point is straightforward: While he was appointed city attorney by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Holmes was elected by the people of Seattle.

“As an elected official, he certainly has a different — well, he’s an elected official, so I wouldn’t comment on what his path is,” Martinez said. “But we both have an obligation to uphold the law, and I know what an important job it is and wish him the best as he goes forward in this new time for Seattle and Washington.”

Martinez said Holmes had visited Colorado and seen its legal recreational marijuana industry in action previous to Washington’s opening day of retail sales on July 8.

“We certainly share information because it’s important to share best practices, especially as we’re on the forefront of a unique legal issue,” Martinez said. “He’s a smart guy, well educated and he’s got a big job ahead of him. We’re going to continue that sharing of information.”


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