DOH Offers Review of Disciplinary Actions Based on Unconstitutional Drug Possession Statute
Summary
The Washington State Department of Health announced it will review adverse administrative actions taken against individuals where those actions were based solely or in part on convictions under RCW 69.50.4013(1), the simple drug possession statute ruled unconstitutional by the Washington Supreme Court in Washington v. Blake. Affected individuals may contact DOH at SCBlakeDecision@doh.wa.gov to request review of their case.
What changed
The Washington State Department of Health is offering to review adverse administrative actions taken against individuals whose actions were based on convictions under RCW 69.50.4013(1), following the Washington Supreme Court's ruling in Washington v. Blake that this drug possession statute is unconstitutional and void.
Healthcare professionals in Washington who received adverse administrative actions based on the now-unconstitutional statute may request a review by contacting DOH with their credential number and case number. DOH will review each file individually and explain available options, though the Department cannot guarantee full vacation of adverse actions. The Department clarifies it cannot assist with vacating criminal convictions—affected individuals must contact the court or consult an attorney for that purpose.
Archived snapshot
Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Blake Supreme Court Decision
The Department of Health is aware of the Washington State Supreme Court decision in Washington v. Blake, No. 98873-0, filed February 25, 2021 (PDF) where the Court ruled that RCW 69.50.4013(1)—the portion of the simple drug possession statute crime—is unconstitutional and void.
If you have faced any adverse administrative action by the Department of Health (e.g., an application you may have filed, a Stipulation to Informal Discipline, a Final Order, etc.) and that action was based solely or in part because of a conviction under RCW 69.50.4013(1), please contact the Department of Health if you wish the Department to review the matter. Please include your credential number and case number from your disciplinary action in your communication. Because each case is unique, the Department cannot ensure that its adverse administrative action will be vacated in its entirety but the Department will review each file and work with you to explain what options may exist. You always have the right to seek legal advice by an attorney at your expense.
The Department cannot assist you with vacating your criminal conviction. For that, you will need to contact the court and/or consult a lawyer.
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