Seattle City Council Act On New Drug Law
The new state law makes drug use a gross misdemeanor punishable by jail time. Experts say that this will create a flood of new low-level cases for the backlogged criminal justice system. The post Seattle City Council Act On New Drug Law appeared first on The Seattle Medium.


This Tuesday council plans to vote on a new drug law ordinance. An up vote for the ordinance would allow local police and City Attorney Ann Davison to arrest and prosecute people for drug addiction. The new state law makes drug use a gross misdemeanor punishable by jail time. Experts say that this will create a flood of new low-level cases for the backlogged criminal justice system.
Councilmembers will be asked to approve, or deny an ordinance that comes after Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law a bipartisan bill making drug possession and public use a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail for a first and second offense and 364 days for any additional offenses. On Aug 15, the new law will replace a stopgap measure.
The Washington State Legislature passed the stopgap in 2021 to stop the decriminalization of drug possession. The state Supreme Court struck down the state’s felony drug possession law. The State v. Blake decision made drug possession a misdemeanor and required police to refer people to treatment. Addicts got two shots at treatment before an arrest can be made.The Blake decision resulted in courts dismissing cases and reducing sentences. and
These types of drug policy laws come about after studies over the years found that treatment saves states money while incarcerating low level drug users costs money. One study shows that for every dollar put into treatment, seven dollars are saved by the state.
The council passes the local ordinance, it would give City Attorney Davison and her office the power to prosecute low level drug cases or push for treatment. If the ordinance does not pass, the legal issues surround local police and the city attorney enforcing state law. Davison wants the ability to have that enforcement power.
The post Seattle City Council Act On New Drug Law appeared first on The Seattle Medium.