New state law makes drug possession a misdemeanor

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Governor Inslee has signed a measure overhauling Washington state’s approach to drug possession.

The new law makes simple drug possession a misdemeanor for now, but that provision expires in two years.

It also aims to greatly expand access to treatment and outreach services.

The state Supreme Court found that the previous law was unconstitutional because it did not require prosecutors to prove a defendant knowingly possesses a banned substance.