State Legislature approves overhaul of drug possession law

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington Legislature has approved an overhaul of the state’s approach to drug possession, after the Washington Supreme Court struck down its previous law as unconstitutional.

The measure passed by the House on Saturday 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 Senate concurred with those changes, and it now heads to the desk of Gov. Jay Inslee.