State lawmakers will convene for special session in hopes of coming to deal on drug possession bill

OLYMPIA — Gov. Inslee has called a special session of the state legislature set to begin on May 16 to address Washington’s drug possession laws.

This comes after lawmakers failed to come to an agreement on a drug possession bill before the regular session came to a close, leaving local governments to make their own laws.

In 2021, the Supreme Court of Washington passed down what’s now known as the Blake decision, which effectively decriminalized simple drug possession, and by extension, public drug use. Shortly after that, state lawmakers passed a temporary fix which expires on July 1 of this year.

During this last regular legislative session, Senate Bill 5536 was introduced as a permanent solution. But many of the legislation’s original backers turned against it, citing concerns that the bill had been watered down and could cause more harm than good.

The legislation would have superseded existing public drug use bans in cities like Kent and Bellingham. In addition, an officer would have had to simultaneously witness someone with drugs and using them to make an arrest. It ultimately failed to pass in the state House.

Since then, several cities and counties have either proposed or passed their own drug use laws.

The special session called by Gov. Inslee runs for 30 days, but could wrap up before that if lawmakers agree to a drug possession bill before that time expires. The governor expressed hope that a deal could be reached based on conversations with lawmakers.

“My office and I have been meeting with legislators from all four caucuses and I am very optimistic about reaching an agreement that can pass both chambers,” he said in a news release. “... Details are still being negotiated, but caucus leaders share the desire to pass a bill.”

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