Washington State Drug Laws

The use or sale of any illegal or controlled substances is prohibited. EWU has a zero tolerance policy in regards to any drug-related issue. The following is a partial list of illicit drugs considered to be controlled substances by the state of Washington (CH.69.50): Narcotics (opium and cocaine, and all drugs extracted, derived, or synthesized from Opium and cocaine, including crack cocaine and heroin); Marijuana; Methamphetamine; Barbiturates; and Hallucinogenic Substances (LSD, peyote, mescaline, psilocybm, PCP, THC, MDA, STP).

A. State Penalties for Illegal Sale of Controlled Substances The illegal sale of any controlled substance is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, $500,000 fine, or both,

B. State Penalties for Illegal Manufacture or Delivery of Controlled Substances Narcotics: Up to 10 years in prison, $25,000 fine, or both. Non- Narcotics: Up to 5 years in prison, $10,000 fine, or both.

C. State Penalties for Possession of Controlled Substances Possession of any controlled substance is punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Possession of less than 40 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia are misdemeanors in the state of Washington. More severe penalties are provided for persons convicted of providing controlled substances to minors and for repeat offenses. Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine impose a mandatory prison term of not less than 5 years but not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000, 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; or
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.