OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Legislature adjourned its 2023 session Sunday night, but they did so without passing legislation to fix the state’s drug possession laws. The House failed to pass a bill in the final hours of the four-month session and Inslee says he needs to call lawmakers back for a Special Session to find a solution because as of July 1st, the state will not have a law on the books, and drug possession will become legalized.
Governor Jay Inslee spoke with reporters about this and other issues.
In 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court struck down the state’s criminal statute prohibiting possession of a controlled substance, which was considered a felony. Following the ruling, lawmakers approved a temporary measure making drug possession a misdemeanor on the third occurrence, with police giving treatment options after the first two arrests.
Read the court’s ruling HERE.
