Since state failed, PO looks at Kitsap, cities drug laws

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Hope is dwindling among local officials seeking strengthened drug possession laws after state lawmakers failed to advance any new legislation on it, prompting Gov. Jay Inslee’s call for a special session May 16.

The lack of action has forced cities like Everett and Kent to pass their own laws, and now the city of Port Orchard has begun exploring its options, including collaboration with other Kitsap County cities to combat a still-increasing drug problem.

The current legislation was put in place as a stop-gap measure that expires July 1 after the state Supreme Court ruled the drug possession laws unconstitutional in 2021. Drug possession is classified as a misdemeanor through the stop-gap, a penalty some lawmakers believe to be too harsh while others believe is not harsh enough.

For Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putaansuu it barely classifies as law in the first place. “It’s a mess,” he said at the City Council’s May 9 meeting. “It is not enforceable. Even though it expires July 1, we basically don’t have a drug possession law now.”

Putaansuu has criticized state lawmakers not only over drug laws, but also over police laws, like the ones limiting vehicular pursuits. Cities, now are going to have to step up and pass their own laws. “In talking to some of those mayors, it’s posturing and showing the state we are going to take action.”

Several city officials want a countywide ordinance rather than a local one or adopting local ones favored by all Kitsap cities. Port Orchard Police Chief Matt Brown said, “I don’t think that it would be wise for us to not collaborate with the other jurisdictions. I think people need to know that, when you come to Kitsap County, this is the expectation.”

Councilman Jay Rosapepe agreed on a holistic approach.

Time may be limited, however, in developing a county-wide approach, as Councilman John Clauson said it would be terribly optimistic to hope for an agreement in the coming weeks. “That’s why I’m suggesting that we should start now, and we should start looking for the common grounds and whatever so that we can develop something so that we’re not waiting till July before we even start that process,” he said.

Putaansuu added that talks with county officials have already begun, and the Kent law is being used as a model.