State Supreme Court strikes down state’s felony drug possession law

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington Supreme Court has struck down the state’s felony drug possession law by a 5-4 vote.

Justices ruled against the law because it does not require prosecutors to prove that someone knowingly or intentionally possessed drugs.

KIRO reports many departments, including Whatcom County are immediately ordering their officers to stop making arrests for simple drug possession.

Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo on Facebook said in a statement that “While many argue that narcotics possession might be better treated as a public health rather than a criminal justice issue, drug offenses at all levels often lead to crime of violence, property crime and public/neighborhood disorder. ”

KGMI’s Tessa McLeod spoke with the Sheriff about this ruling, and you can hear the podcast here.

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