Washington State Drug Laws (Chapter 69.50 RCW)
This information is provided for informational purposes and may not represent the
current status of the law. The Washington State Legislature provides access to Washington laws.
The following is a partial list of illicit drugs considered to be controlled substances
by the State of Washington:
- Narcotics (opium and cocaine, and all drugs extracted, derived or synthesized from
opium and cocaine, including crack cocaine and heroin);
- Methamphetamine;
- Barbiturates; and
- Hallucinogenic Substances (LSD, peyote, mescaline, psilocybin, PCP).
State Penalties
- State Penalties for Illegal Sale of Controlled Substances: The illegal sale of any controlled substance is punishable by up to five years in
prison, $10,000 fine, or both.
- State Penalties for Illegal Manufacture or Delivery of Controlled Substances: Schedule I or II Narcotics or flunitrazepam - Up to 10 years in prison, $25,000 to
$100,000 fine, or both. Any other controlled substances under Schedule I, II, III,
IV or V, except flunitrazepam - Up to five years in prison, $10,000 fine, or both.
- State Penalties for Possession of Controlled Substances: Possession of any controlled substance is punishable by up to five years in prison,
a $10,000 fine, or both.
More severe penalties are provided for persons convicted of providing controlled substances
to minors, to repeat offenses and to offenses on or near schools or parks.
Special Note Regarding Marijuana: Marijuana remains illegal for minors (persons under 21 years of age) to possess,
sell or use and is illegal to possess for a person of any age in amounts over 28.3
grams. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law and policies concerning marijuana
at the College remain unchanged. It is illegal to produce, distribute or use marijuana
on College property or during College-sponsored activities.
Washington State Alcohol Laws (Chapters 66.44 & 46.61 RCW)
This information is provided for informational purposes and may not represent the
current status of the law. The Washington State Legislature provides access to Washington laws.
The following is a partial list of alcohol related laws and penalties.
Law(s) |
Title |
Prohibitions |
RCW 46.61.502
|
Driving Under the Influence |
Prohibit operating motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor
or any drug. |
RCW 46.61.504 |
Physical Control of Vehicle Under the Influence |
RCW 46.61.5055 |
Alcohol & Drug Violators - Penalty schedule |
RCW 46.61.517
|
Refusal of test - Admissibility of Evidence |
Refusal of person to take alcohol test or drug concentration in the person's blood
or breath is admissible in a court of law. |
RCW 46.20.308 |
Implied Consent - Test Refusal - Procedures |
RCW 66.44.100 |
Opening or consuming liquor in public place - Penalty |
Prohibits opening or consuming liquor in a public place. |
RCW 66.44.270 |
Furnishing liquor to minors-Possession, use - Penalties - Exhibition of effects -
Exceptions |
Prohibits the sale or supply of liquor to a minor. It also prohibits anyone from permitting
a minor to consume liquor on premises under that person's control and prohibits minors
from possessing, consuming, or otherwise acquiring any liquor. |
RCW 66.44.290 |
Minor purchasing or attempting to purchase liquor - Penalty |
Prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol. |
RCW 66.44.310 |
Minors frequenting off-limits area-Misrepresentation of age - Penalty - Classification
of licensees |
Prohibits using a false identification card or misrepresenting your age for the purpose
of securing alcohol. |
RCW 66.44.325 |
Unlawful transfer to minor of age identification |
Prohibits the use and manufacture of false ID cards. |
RCW 66.44.370 |
Resisting or opposing officers in enforcement of title |
Prohibits anyone from resisting arrest by a law enforcement official for an alcohol
related crime. |
Federal Drug Laws
The possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs is prohibited by federal law.
Strict penalties are provided for drug convictions, including mandatory prison terms
for many offenses. The following information, although not complete, is an overview
of federal penalties for first convictions. All penalties are doubled for any subsequent
drug conviction.
A. Denial of Federal Benefits (21 USC §862)
A federal drug conviction may result in the loss of federal benefits, including school
loans, grants, contracts and licenses. Federal drug trafficking convictions may result
in denial of federal benefits for up to five years for a first conviction, 10 years
for a second conviction and permanent denial of federal benefits for a third conviction.
Federal drug convictions for possession may result in denial of federal benefits for
up to one year for a first conviction and up to five years for subsequent convictions.
B. Forfeiture of Personal Property and Real Estate (21 USC §853)
Any person convicted of a federal drug offense punishable by more than one year in
prison shall forfeit to the United States any personal or real property related to
the violation, including houses, cars and other personal belongings. A warrant of
seizure may be issued and property seized at the time an individual is arrested on
charges that may result in forfeiture.
C. Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties (21 USC §841)
Penalties for federal drug trafficking convictions vary according to the quantity
of the controlled substance involved in the transaction. The following list is a sample
of the range and severity of federal penalties imposed for first convictions. Penalties
for subsequent convictions are twice as severe. If death or serious bodily injury
results from the use of a controlled substance that has been illegally distributed,
the person convicted on federal charges of distributing the substance faces a prison
term of not less than 20 years, but not more than life, and fines ranging up to $8
million. Persons convicted on federal charges of drug trafficking within 1,000 feet
of a university (21 USC §860) face penalties of prison terms and fines which are twice
as high as the regular penalties for the offense, with a mandatory prison sentence
of at least one year.
D. Federal Drug Possession Penalties (21 USC §844)
Persons convicted on federal charges of possessing any controlled substance face penalties
of up to one year in prison and a minimum fine of $1,000, or both. Second convictions
are punishable by not less than 15 days but not more than two years in prison and
a minimum fine of $2,500. Subsequent convictions are punishable by not less than 90
days, but not more than three years in prison and a minimum fine of $5,000. Special
sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine impose a mandatory prison term
of not less than five years but not more than 20 years and a minimum fine of $1,000,
or both, if:
a. it is a first conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 5 grams;
b. it is a second conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 3 grams;
c. it is a third or subsequent crack conviction and the amount exceeds 1 gram.
Civil penalties of up to $10,000 may also be imposed for possession of small amounts
of controlled substances, whether or not criminal prosecution is pursued. Special
sentencing provisions for possession of Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, "roofies" or "roaches")
impose a prison term of not more than 3 years, a fine up to $5,000, or both.