A look at Portugal’s drug experiment, what’s working and what’s not
PORTUGAL, August 10, 2023—In July 2001 Portugal made a paradigm shift in how it handled drug crimes. The Portuguese Drug Policy Model implemented that year, decriminalized the public and private use, acquisition, and possession of all legal drugs if the amount did not surpass a 10-day supply. The decision was intent on moving drug use, […]
What you should know: New laws that go into effect on July 23
OLYMPIA, Wash., July 23, 2023—Bills signed into law take effect 90 days after the end of the session in which they were passed. From a controversial parental rights exemption to an anti-hazing law to promoting water safety, below are some new laws going into effect as of July 23, 2023. SB-5599: Supporting youth and young […]
VOAWW celebrates opening of regional food distribution center in Arlington
ARLINGTON, Wash., June 25, 2023—Community leaders gathered to celebrate Perdue Farms presenting a donation to Volunteers of America of Western Washington (VOAWW) for its new Food Distribution Center in Arlington on Friday, June 23. The 79,000-square-foot facility, located in the Raine Building, serves as Snohomish County’s distribution center for its 19 food banks. In 2022, […]
Those convicted of a drug crime in Snohomish County urged to seek Blake relief
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 26, 2023—State v. Blake is a 2021 Washington State Supreme Court decision that held that the drug possession law was unconstitutional. If you were convicted of soliciting possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, or certain other drug related misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses in Snohomish County District Court you […]
Mayors across Snohomish County support recriminalizing illegal drugs
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 6, 2023—Fifteen mayors represented by the Mayors and Business Leaders for Public Safety coalition, join forces in a letter urging the Snohomish County Council to pass proposed Ordinance 23-046 to recriminalize controlled and counterfeit substances. “Currently, cites in Snohomish County and across Washington state are looking to enact laws governing the possession […]
Inslee announces Special Session, County leadership split on illegal drug policy
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 3, 2023—Hours after Snohomish County led the state in proposing an ordinance to recriminalize illegal drugs after the failure of legislature’s passage of the “Blake fix,” Governor Jay Inslee announced that he will call a special session to begin on May 16 that will focus on passing a new drug possession […]
County to consider scheduling a Public Hearing on ordinance to re-criminalize illegal drugs
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 1, 2023—At its upcoming Administrative Meeting on Tuesday, May 2, the Snohomish County Council is expected to vote on scheduling a Public Hearing for May 17 to propose an ordinance re-criminalizing controlled and counterfeit substances. To view the meeting’s agenda, click here. The ordinance, sponsored by Council President Jared Mead and […]
Possession of controlled substances will be legal in Washington state starting July 1
OLYMPIA, Wash., April 24, 2023—The 2023 legislative session ended last night without the passage of a new state law on the possession of controlled substances, leaving it now up to counties and cities to put local drug-possession laws in place once the state law adopted in 2021 expires on July 1. SB-5536, also known as […]
Kamiak students join nationwide walkout to protest gun violence
MUKILTEO, Wash., April 11, 2023—Hundreds of Kamiak High School students joined thousands throughout Washington State who walked out of school on April 5, to protest against gun violence. The walk-out, organized by student-run group Kamiak Demands Action, took place at noon local time and lasted for approximately 30 minutes. The statewide protest was part of […]
Commentary: Attacking the Second Amendment doesn’t address core causes of society’s violence and lawlessness
SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash., April 10, 2023—On the Saturday before Easter, the state Senate’s majority Democrats passed what they call an “assault weapons ban.” In reality, the bill targets several of the most popular sporting and self-defense firearms in the country, including most modern sporting rifles and even some shotguns used for hunting and competition shooting. My […]
