Yo, what’s good fam? Let me drop some knowledge on you about what’s been going down in Washington State. So, they just opened up this online reimbursement center called the Blake Refund Bureau. Basically, it’s a way for people to get their money back for fines or costs they had to pay because of drug possession convictions. And let me tell you, it’s been poppin’ off since it started in July. They’ve already approved over $276,000 in reimbursements!
Now, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) launched this bureau more than two years after this court ruling called State v. Blake. That ruling happened back in February 2021 when the Washington Superior Court said that arresting people for drug possession was unconstitutional. This case all started with this woman who got a pair of jeans from her friend in 2016. Turns out, there was a little bag of meth hidden in the coin pocket. The state charged her with possession of a controlled substance, but she claimed she didn’t even know it was there.
This whole thing sparked a discussion about people who unknowingly have drugs on them or around them. Like, think about it, a postal worker could be delivering packages that have drugs inside and not even know it. Or your roommate could be hiding drugs in your shared living space without you having a clue. Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud said that slapping heavy penalties on innocent and passive folks for something they had no control over is just not right.
So, the Washington State Supreme Court jumped in and said that the law criminalizing drug possession was unconstitutional. And that’s where the Blake Refund Bureau comes in. If you were convicted of drug possession before February 25, 2021, you can get your conviction cleared and get reimbursed for any money you had to pay. And get this, they estimate that around 200,000 felony drug possession charges dating back to the 70s could be eligible for clearing. Plus, another 150,000 misdemeanor cannabis charges!
This bureau has been blowing up, my friends. Over 30,000 people have checked out the website, and there have been 25,000 cases made online. And guess what? The reimbursement amount keeps going up every day. They’re even saying that payments for the online applications will be processed and issued within 90 days. That’s pretty damn quick if you ask me.
Before the Blake Refund Bureau was around, the state was issuing refunds to cities and counties. But now, they’re paying out big time. They’ve already dished out $9.4 million in refunds! It’s crazy how much money they’re giving back to the people. The courts are really stepping up their game. They’re working hard to process all these applications and spread the word about the relief opportunities available.
But hold up, we can’t forget about some other dope things happening in Washington State. Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill that’s gonna expand the number of social equity licenses for cannabis businesses by 52 from 2024 to 2032. This is all about creating more opportunities for people of color who were unfairly targeted during the war on drugs. It’s a step towards a more just and equitable society, ya feel me?
And that’s not all! Inslee also signed a separate bill that’s gonna protect employees from pre-employment drug testing for THC. This is huge, fam. It’s time to stop punishing people for what they do on their own time when it doesn’t affect their work performance or safety. Times have changed, attitudes have changed, and it’s about damn time workplace policies catch up.
But here’s the tea, my friends. Sales in Washington State took a hit last year. For the first time since legalization started in 2014, they saw a decrease in sales. The state still made bank though, bringing in $509 million in tax revenue. But it was an 8% decline compared to the previous year. One reason could be because people were transitioning from remote work during the pandemic back to in-person jobs.
So, that’s what’s been going down in Washington State. They’re dishing out those reimbursements, expanding social equity, and protecting employees. It’s all about progress and making things right. Keep your eyes on this state because they’re making moves, my friends. Peace out!