Washington lawmakers pass amended drug decriminalization bill out of committee
A bill to decriminalize "personal use amounts" of drugs such as heroin and cocaine in Washington cleared its first legislative hurdle as legislators moved it out of committee.
An amended version of House Bill 1499, also known as the Pathways to Recovery Act, was approved Monday by the House Public Safety Committee in a narrow 7-6 vote.
The bill was first introduced earlier in February just days after a voter-approved bill to decriminalize small amounts of drugs took effect in Oregon.
Sponsored by Reps. Lauren Davis and Kirsten Harris-Talley, the bill would legalize possession of "personal use amounts" of substances — which would be decided by a new advisory committee — while also expanding intervention, treatment and recovery services for those with substance use disorder.
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/wash-drug-decriminalization-bill-in-legislature-15954569.php