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Washington State
How does your state measure up when it comes to establishing policies that reduce the harms of both drug use and drug prohibition?
Harm Reduction
Does the state permit access to clean syringes for people who inject drugs?
- YES
Does the state have legal naloxone distribution to prevent overdose deaths?
- YES
Does the state have a 911 Good Samaritan law?
- YES
Does the state have legal methadone access?
- YES
Marijuana
Are marijuana possession and use legal for medical purposes?
- YES, and in 2012 voters approved an initiative to tax and regulate marijuana for adults over 21.
Is there a government-regulated distribution system for medical marijuana?
- YES
More information on medical marijuana:
What are the criminal penalties for marijuana possession?
Criminal Justice
How many people are arrested for a drug offense each year?
- 19,414
What are the racial disparities in arrest rates?
-
Total population (2011): white: 81.9%, black: 4.9%, other: 13.1%.
Drug arrests (2011): 85.0% white, 10.1% black.
What happens to people’s voting rights when they become part of the criminal justice system?
- All persons with a felony conviction must re-register to vote after completion of their sentence and all parole and probation. However, the Secretary of State's website states that persons who have willfully failed to make three payments in a 12 month period on any court imposed fines may have their ability to vote revoked by the prosecutor.
