Washington State Rushes to Pass Drug Possession Law Ahead of Decriminalization Deadline

Washington state lawmakers are holding a special session to pass a new drug law before the July 1 deadline when possession of hard drugs will become decriminalized. The state's felony ban on drug possession was struck down as unconstitutional in 2021, and lawmakers have yet to come up with a permanent solution. Several bills addressing the issue were proposed, but none passed. If the state doesn't replace the misdemeanor law, it could lead to a "domino effect" of cities setting their own drug laws. The state legislature has already earmarked more than $600 million in new spending on services for those with substance use disorders.