Douglas County Commissioners Pass Ordinance Against Simple Possession

Douglas County Commissioners addressed the State vs Blake drug possession decision by announcing Monday that it has passed an ordinance adding language that makes knowing and intentional possession of controlled substances illegal again.

Commissioner Marc Straub said the ordinance was passed by way of a public hearing April 6th.

"We did that because Douglas County believes strongly in protecting our citizens, and the communities throughout our county, from unlawful possession and use of controlled substances that are resulting in an increase in crime and the physical and mental harm that these crimes are inflicting," explained Straub.

Straub added that the ordinance duplicates state law with the exception of the added mental element 'knowing and intentional.'

In the case of State vs. Blake, a Spokane woman who had received a pair of jeans from a friend had a small bag of meth in a pocket. She was charged with simple possession, but the State Supreme Court ruled that the state's simple possession law was unconstitutional. The ruling established that possession of controlled substances is not considered illegal unless intent of ownership is proven.