Washington State's Evolving Drug Laws: A Summary.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a new drug possession law that retains criminal penalties for drug possession while also providing resources for addiction treatment and recovery services. The law increases penalties for knowing possession of a controlled substance or counterfeit substance to a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail for the first two convictions, a $1,000 fine, or both. It also creates a pretrial diversion program, giving those charged with possession of prohibited substances the option to agree to be part of a substance use disorder treatment program in exchange for the state dismissing the charge. The law allocates approximately $51 million, with $44 million invested in drug treatment and recovery services.