House passes 'Blake' bill to enshrine drug possession as misdemeanor

OLYMPIA — Majority Democrats in the state House pushed through a far-reaching response to the Blake decision early Wednesday, restoring a misdemeanor penalty for drug possession and steering millions of dollars into assessing and treating those with substance use disorder who are arrested.

The House, on a 54-41 vote, passed an amended version of Senate Bill 5536 around 1:30 a.m. Fifty-one Democrats and three Republicans backed the bill.

“We can’t do what we’ve always done. This bill is a response to our communities’ need for us to take action,” said Rep. Jamila Taylor, D-Federal Way, author of the extensive substitute.

What emerged stands in sharp contrast with the Senate’s approach on what should be the long-term strategy, given the state Supreme Court’s ruling in 2021 that erased a law making simple drug possession a felony.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/house-passes-blake-bill-to-enshrine-drug-possession-as-misdemeanor/