Washington Cocaine Laws

Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated June 20, 2016

Cocaine is an illegal drug in all states, with separate charges for possession, sale, and trafficking. Washington cocaine laws are similar to those in other states. Simple possession can result in up to five (5) years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Drug Court: An Alternative To Incarceration

Defendants with relatively clean criminal records may qualify for a first-time offender waiver in their county or jurisdiction. This allows offenders to enter a drug treatment program, perform community service, and serve probation instead of prison time.

Definition of Drug Court

In the state of Washington, drug court is a court that has special calendars or dockets designed to work with non-violent offenders to reduce repeat crimes and substance abuse by increasing their likelihood for successful rehabilitation. The offender will need to complete judicially-supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing, and the use of appropriate sanctions and incentives.

Am I Eligible To Receive Treatment Through Drug Court?

Maybe. It depends upon a number of factors. The minimum requirements are:

You would benefit from substance abuse treatment.
You have not previously been convicted of a serious violent offense or sex offense.
You are not currently charged with or convicted of a sex offense; serious, violent offense; an offense involving the use a firearm; or an offense that caused substantial bodily harm or death to another person.

Enhanced Penalties: Manufacture or Delivery or Sales

Drug dealers, beware. Cocaine is considered a "narcotic drug" under Washington State criminal laws. Why is that important? Simply put, if you are charged with the manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver (sales) cocaine in Washington State you are facing a B felony, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Washington's cocaine laws are summarized in the box below. See FindLaw's Drug Charges section for more articles and resources.

Code Section	69.50.101, et seq.
Possession	Up to 5 yrs. and/or $10,000 for any amount (may qualify for a first-time offender waiver or probation in lieu of incarceration); Subsequent offense: double penalties
Sale	Class B felony - (1) up to 10 yrs. and/or $25,000 for less than 2 kg.); (2) $100,000 and $50 for each g. in excess of 2 kg. Subsequent offense: up to double penalties; Sale within 1000 ft. of school: double penalties; Sale to minor: Class C felony
Trafficking	-

Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact a Washington drug crime attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Research the Law

Washington Law
Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.