Washington Laws

Washington Laws & Regulations

The information contained on this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. The Information constitutes general information of applicable administrative regulation and/or laws related to general topics in the arena of controlled substance misuse and abuse and may not reflect current legal developments and updates. Please refer to your state legislature for any potential changes. 

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

Washington Advertising/Marketing Information

• RCW 9.04 – Advertising, Crimes Related to [9.04.010 thru 9.04.090]
• RCW 69.04 – Intrastate Commerce in Drugs and Cosmetics [69.04.001 thru 69.04.880]
• RCW 69.04.016 – “Misleading labeling or advertisement,” how determined.
• RCW 69.50.369 – Cannabis producers, processors, researchers, retailers—Advertisements—Rules—Penalty.
• WAC 246-945-025 – Prescription drug price advertising.
• WAC 314-52 – Advertising [ 314-52-005 thru 314-52-130]

Washington Child Safety Information

• RCW 26.44 – Abuse of Children
• RCW 69.50.406 – Distribution to persons under age eighteen.
• RCW 69.50.414 – Sale or transfer of controlled substance to minor—Cause of action by parent—Damages.

Washington Compounding Information

• RCW 18.64.011 – Definitions.
• RCW 18.64.270 – Responsibility for drug purity—Compounding—Adulteration—Penalty.
• WAC 246-945-100 – Compounding minimum standards.
• DOH – Standards for Pharmacist/Pharmacies Compounding Drug Products
• WSHA – Law change: New definition of “compounding” for pharmacy practice (2021)

Washington Coroner/Medical Examiner Information

• RCW 36.24 – County Coroner [36.24.010 thru 36.24.210]
• CDC – Washington State Coroner/Medical Examiner Laws

Washington Drug Checking Information (Test Strips)

• RCW 69.50.102 – Drug paraphernalia—Definitions.
• RCW 69.50.412 – Prohibited acts: E—Penalties.
• RCW 69.50.4121 – Drug paraphernalia—Selling—Penalty.
• RCW 69.50.612 – State preemption—Drug paraphernalia.

Washington Drug Cleanup Information (Methamphetamine & Fentanyl Labs)

• RCW 64.44 – Contaminated Properties
• WAC 246-205 – Decontamination of Illegal Drug Manufacturing or Storage Sites [246-205-001 thru 246-205-990]

Washington Drug Court Information

• RCW 2.30 – Therapeutic Courts
• RCW 71.24.540 – Drug courts.

Washington Drug Free Workplace Information

• RCW 49.44.240 – Discrimination based upon cannabis use—Exceptions.
• RCW 69.51A.060 – Crimes—Limitations of chapter.
• WAC 357-37-200 – Can an employer require an employee to submit to drug/alcohol testing?

Washington Drugged Driving Information

• RCW 46.61 – Rules of the Road

Washington Drug Violations Information

• RCW 9A.20 – Classification of Crimes
• RCW Chapter 69 – Food Drugs, Cosmetics, and Poisons
• RCW 69.04 – Intrastate Commerce in Drugs and Cosmetics [69.04.001 thru 69.04.880]
• RCW 69.51A – Medical Cannabis [69.51A.005 thru 69.51A.900]
• RCW 71.24.575 – Criminal laws limitations.

Washington Electronic Prescribing Information

• RCW 69.50.312 – Electronic communication of prescription information—Exceptions—Waiver—Penalty—Commission may adopt rules.
• WAC 246-945-014 – Electronic prescribing mandate waiver.

Washington First Responder Deflection Program(s) Information

• RCW 10.31.110 – Alternatives to arrest—Individuals with mental disorders or substance use disorders.
• RCW 36.28A.450 – Grant program—Therapeutic interventions for certain criminal justice system involved persons—Report—Civil liability
• RCW 71.24.589 – Law enforcement assisted diversion—Grant program.
• RCW 71.24.908 – Data integration platform to support diversion efforts—Development and implementation—Exempt from public disclosure.
• RCW 71.24.909 – Washington state institute for public policy study on recovery navigator programs and law enforcement assisted diversion programs.

Washington 911 – Good Samaritan Information

• RCW 69.41.095 – Opioid overdose reversal medication—Standing order permitted.
• RCW 69.50.315 – Medical assistance—Drug-related overdose—Prosecution for possession.

Washington Medical Marijuana, Recreational Marijuana & CBD Information

• RCW Chapter 69 – Food Drugs, Cosmetics, and Poisons
• WAC 246-70 – Marijuana product compliance. [246-70-010 thru 246-70-090]
• WAC 246-71 – Medical cannabis authorization database. [246-71-010 thru 246-71-990]
• WAC 246-72 – Medical cannabis consultant certificate.
• WAC 314-52 – Advertising [ 314-52-005 thru 314-52-130]
• WAC 314-55 – Cannabis Licenses, Application Process, Requirements, and Reporting [314-55-005 thru 314-55-570]

Washington Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Information

• RCW 71.24.560 – Opioid treatment programs—Pregnant individuals—Information and education.
• RCW 71.24.587 – Opioid use disorder treatment—Possession or use of lawfully prescribed medication—Declaration by state.
• RCW 71.24.590 – Opioid treatment—Program licensing or certification by department, department duties—Use of medications by program—Definition.
• RCW 71.24.593 – Opioid use disorder treatment—Care of individuals and their newborns—Authority recommendations required.
• RCW 71.24.594 – Opioid overdose reversal medications—Education—Distribution—Labeling—Liability.
• RCW 71.24.595 – Statewide treatment and operating standards for opioid treatment programs—Evaluation and report.
• RCW 71.24.597 – Opioid overdose reversal medication—Coordinated purchasing and distribution.
• RCW 71.24.599 – Opioid use disorder—City and county jails—Funding.
• WAC 246-840-4970 – Co-prescribing of opioids for patients receiving medication assisted treatment (MAT).
• WAC 246-945-457 – Remote dispensing sites for opioid use disorder medications.

Washington Naloxone Information

• RCW 18.64.600 – Opioid use disorder medications—Remote dispensing sites—Registration—Rules—Fees.
• RCW 28A.210.390 – Opioid overdose reversal medication—Standing order—Administration.
• RCW 28A.210.395 – Opioid overdose reversal medication—Policy guidelines and treatment requirements—Grant program.
• RCW 28B.10.577 – Opioid overdose reversal medication—Administration—Training—Assistance with grants and donations.
• RCW 28B.10.578 – Opioid and fentanyl prevention education—Medication through standing order
• RCW 69.41.095 – Opioid overdose reversal medication—Standing order permitted.
• RCW 71.24.594 – Opioid overdose reversal medications—Education—Distribution—Labeling—Liability.
• RCW 71.24.597 – Opioid overdose reversal medication—Coordinated purchasing and distribution.

Washington Needle Exchange Programs (NEP) & Syringe Services programs (SSP) Information

• RCW 69.50.102 – Drug paraphernalia—Definitions.
• RCW 69.50.412 – Prohibited acts: E—Penalties.
• RCW 69.50.4121 – Drug paraphernalia—Selling—Penalty.
• RCW 69.50.612 – State preemption—Drug paraphernalia.
• RCW 70.115 – Drug Injection Devices

Washington Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (NOWS) Information

• RCW 70.83C – Alcohol and Drug Use Treatment Associated with Pregnancy – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
• RCW 70.83E – Prenatal Newborn Screening for Exposure to Harmful Drugs
• RCW 71.12.455 – Definitions.
• RCW 71.12.680 – Pediatric transitional care services—Requirements.
• RCW 71.24.025 – Definitions.
• RCW 71.24.593 – Opioid use disorder treatment—Care of individuals and their newborns—Authority recommendations required.
• RCW 71.24.605 – Fetal alcohol screening and assessment services.
• RCW 71.24.610 – Interagency agreement on prenatal substance exposure programs.
• RCW 71.24.612 – Prenatal substance exposure—Recommendations.
• RCW 71.24.614 – Prenatal substance exposure—Contracting.
• WAC 246-650 – Newborn screening.
• WAC 246-680 – Prenatal tests—Congenital and heritable disorders.

Washington Opioid Litigation Proceeds Information

• RCW 43.79.483 – Opioid abatement settlement account.
• RCW 43.79.484 – Tribal opioid prevention and treatment account.

Washington Overdose Prevention Centers (OPC), Supervised Consumption Sites (SCS), Supervised Injection Facilities (SIF) Information

• NO IDENTIFIED INFORMATION FOR DRUG CONSUPMTION SITES IN WASHINGTON

Washington Overdose Surveillance/Reporting Information

• RCW 69.50.525 – Diversion prevention and control—Report.
• RCW 70.05.210 – Fatality review teams.
• RCW 71.24.585 – Opioid and substance use disorder treatment—State response.
• RCW 71.24.598 – Drug overdose response team.
• RCW 71.24.911 – Statewide behavioral health treatment and recovery support services mapping tool.
• RCW 71.24.912 – Work group—Systems, policies, and processes related to intake, screening, and assessment for substance use disorders.
• RCW 71.24.913 – Substance use disorders—Comprehensive assessments, reports.
• 2023-24 HB 1956 – requires the Department of Health to develop a statewide drug overdose awareness campaign. The bill further directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to make substance use prevention and awareness materials available for students (Governor signed. Chapter 201, 2024 Laws. Effective date 3/19/2024.)
• 2023-24 SB 5906 – Creates a statewide drug overdose prevention and education campaign by DOH. ( Governor signed. Chapter 216, 2024 Laws. Effective date 6/6/2024)

Washington Pain Management Information

• WAC 246-811 – Substance Use Disorder Professionals and Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainees
• WAC 246-853 – Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons
• WAC 246-919 – Washington Medical Commission
• WMC – Pain Management Resources
• WSMA – Opioid Prescribing Rules and Guidelines

Washington Peer Support Information

• RCW 43.101 – criminal Justice Training Commission – Education and Training Standards Boards
• RCW 70.385 – Peer Support Services

Washington Pill Press & Counterfeit Medication Information

• HB 1209 – 2023-24 – Restricting the possession, purchase, delivery, and sale of certain equipment used to illegally process controlled substances.
• RCW 69.50.416 – Counterfeit substances prohibited—Penalties.
• RCW 69.50.418 – Tableting and encapsulating machines prohibited—Penalties.

Washington Prescription Drug Drop-Off Information

• RCW 69.48 – Drug Take-Back Program [69.48.010 thru 69.48.200]
• WAC 246-480 – Drug take-back program. [246-480-020 thru 246-480-990]

Washington Prescription Drug Importation Information

• RCW 18.64.350 – Nonresident pharmacies—Findings.
• RCW 18.64.360 – Nonresident pharmacies—Definition—Requirements—Exemption—Reciprocity with Canadian pharmacies.
• RCW 18.64.490 – Waiver request to authorize the state to license Canadian, United Kingdom, Irish, and other nondomestic prescription drug wholesalers under RCW 18.64.046—Implementation—Rules.

Washington Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Information

• RCW 70.225 – Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
• WAC 246-470 – Prescription monitoring program. [246-470-001 thru 246-470-100]

Washington Precursor Chemicals/Including Pseudoephedrine Information

• RCW 69.43 – Precursor Drugs [69.43.010 thru 69.43.190]
• WAC 246-945-063 – Precursor definitions.
• WAC 246-945-065 – Precursor substance control.
• WAC 246-945-070 – Reports of precursor receipt.
• WAC 246-945-072 – Precursor substance monthly reporting
• WAC 246-945-075 – Suspicious transactions and reporting requirements.
• WAC 246-945-077 – Precursor substance requirements for the sale of a restricted product.
• WAC 246-945-078 – Record of sales—Electronic methamphetamine precursor tracking.
• WAC 246-945-080 – Acceptable forms of identification.
• WAC 246-945-085 – Maintenance of and access to retail sales records of restricted products.
• WAC 246-945-087 – Exemptions from electronic reporting.
• WAC 246-945-088 – Denial of a sale—Override.

Washington Prison/Jail Program(s) Information

• RCW 71.24.599 – Opioid use disorder—City and county jails—Funding.
• RCW 71.24.710 – Reentry services—Work group.
• RCW 71.24.715 – Reentry services—Waiver application.

Washington School Programs/Information

• RCW 28A.210.390 – Opioid overdose reversal medication—Standing order—Administration.
• RCW 28A.210.395 – Opioid overdose reversal medication—Policy guidelines and treatment requirements—Grant program.
• RCW 28B.10.577 – Opioid overdose reversal medication—Administration—Training—Assistance with grants and donations.
• RCW 28B.10.578 – Opioid and fentanyl prevention education—Medication through standing order.
• 2023-24 HB 2112 – Requires all higher education institutions to keep opioid reversal medication as well as fentanyl test strips on campus. It also requires opioid and fentanyl prevention education and awareness at all higher ed institutions. (Governor signed. Chapter 211, 2024 Laws. Effective date 6/6/2024)
• 2023-24 SB 5804 – Requires at least one set of opioid reversal medication to be kept at schools across Washington state. (Governor signed. Chapter 214, 2024 Laws. Effective date 6/6/2024)

Washington Sober Living Homes/Recovery Residence Information

• RCW 41.05.760 – Recovery residences—Registry.
• RCW 59.18.550 – Drug and alcohol free housing—Program of recovery—Terms—Application of chapter.
• WAC 246-337 – Residential treatment facility. [246-337-001 thru 246-337-990]

Washington Substance Abuse Services Information

• RCW 71.05 – Behavioral Health Disorders
• RCW 71.24.546 – Substance use recovery services plan—Substance use recovery services advisory committee—Rules—Report. (Expires December 31, 2026.)
• RCW 71.24.560 – Opioid treatment programs—Pregnant individuals—Information and education.
• RCW 71.24.585 – Opioid and substance use disorder treatment—State response.
• RCW 71.24.587 – Opioid use disorder treatment—Possession or use of lawfully prescribed medication—Declaration by state.
• RCW 71.24.590 – Opioid treatment—Program licensing or certification by department, department duties—Use of medications by program—Definition.
• RCW 71.24.593 – Opioid use disorder treatment—Care of individuals and their newborns—Authority recommendations required.
• RCW 71.24.594 – Opioid overdose reversal medications—Education—Distribution—Labeling—Liability.
• RCW 71.24.595 – Statewide treatment and operating standards for opioid treatment programs—Evaluation and report.
• RCW 71.24.597 – Opioid overdose reversal medication—Coordinated purchasing and distribution.
• RCW 71.24.599 – Opioid use disorder—City and county jails—Funding.
• WAC 246-811 – Substance use disorder professionals and substance use disorder professionals trainees. [246-811-010 thru 246-811-990]

Washington Telemedicine/Telehealth Information

• RCW 18.134 – Telehealth Act
• RCW 28B.20.830 – Collaborative for the advancement of telehealth—Reports—Open meetings. (Expires July 1, 2025.)
• RCW 43.70.495 – Telemedicine training for health care professionals.
• RCW 70.41.020 – Definitions.
• 2023-24 SB 5481 – Provides greater access to telehealth services in the state. (Governor signed. Chapter 212, 2024 Laws. Effective date 6/6/2024)
• 2023-24 SB 5821 – Allows audio-only telehealth medicine appointments to be available for patients in Washington (Governor signed. Chapter 215, 2024 Laws. Effective date 6/6/2024)

Washington Tribal Resources/Information

• 2023-24 HB 1877 – Creates more recognition of Tribal governance as sovereign nations in the state’s behavioral health programs, and improves coordination of the behavioral health system to provide better support and access to treatment. (Governor signed. Chapter 209, 2024 Laws. Effective date 6/6/2024)
• 2023-24 SB 6099 – Creates the Tribal Opioid Prevention and Treatment Account for dedicated funding for resources in Tribal communities. (Governor signed. Chapter 210, 2024 Laws. Effective date 7/1/2024)

Last Updated – 10/24/2024

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