Rocky Mountain High coming to your office?
What does the legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado have to do with your job performance? Maybe nothing. But Seattle, Denver and Colorado Sprin...
Does your job require that you stay well within the limits of the law? That you be of sound mind and body? Are you ever tested for drug use or abuse?
If so, you may want to check out the following guest column from a reader/listener who has a new spin on the “What Happens In Vegas, Stays in Vegas” theme. In this case he’s talking about the legalization of marijuana in the states of Washington and Colorado. Both states are chock-full of federal workers, and both are favorite vacation spots.
He comments:
Recently there have been lots of articles in the media about the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana in the states of Washington and Colorado.
It occurred to me that there could be a decent amount of federal employees who could be visiting Washington or Colorado during the holidays (such as Seattle or Denver).
If so, the perception that they’re going to the United States version of Amsterdam could be out there, and while they may get away with doing what they do there, I’m assuming they’ll be very responsible for what they bring back in their bloodstream when they report back to work after the holiday.
I thought it might be worthy subject matter for an article, as I haven’t really seen any articles out there focused on federal employees connected to the legalization of marijuana use in those states or any recent articles related to drug testing and Federal Executive Branch workers.
While the federal government mandates a comprehensive drug-free workplace program for all Federal Executive Branch workers, which began with Executive Order 12564 (Drug-Free Federal Workplace, 1986), I see less out there when it comes to outside the workplace.
The legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado may be a reason to visit the issue as it relates to all Federal Executive Branch workers with a possible breakdown of how different branches of the federal government are handling it. I know DoD has put forth direction as it relates to active-duty troops and the UCMJ in regard to the recent legalization in those states, but I haven’t seen much as it relates to DoD civilian employees, as they fall outside of the UCMJ.
A lot to ponder to say the least. — I’m Just Saying
NEARLY USELESS FACTOID
By Jack Moore
The earliest known reference to “fiscal cliff” (outside the current context) was in a 1957 New York Times article about the costs of homeownership. Republican Senator Jim DeMint, of South Carolina, also used the term in late 2008 to criticize the incoming Obama administration’s proposed stimulus program. More recently, Reuters news service is credited with popularizing the term.
(Source: CNN Money)
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Mike Causey
Mike Causey is senior correspondent for Federal News Network and writes his daily Federal Report column on federal employees’ pay, benefits and retirement.
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