Bill elevates drug possession crimes

OLYMPIA — A bill making its way through the Legislature would make possession of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine a gross misdemeanor.

Senate Bill 5536 passed the Senate by a 28-21 vote Friday night.

The bill is designed in response to the state Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling that the state’s drug-possession law was unconstitutional.

While the bill passed the Senate, it does not go far enough to address the drug problems, Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said Saturday.

“This bill does not go far enough to provide the leverage needed to help people get off dangerous drugs,” he said...