Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 69.50.500 (2026)

Powers of enforcement personnel

✓ current as of May 2026

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(a) [(1)] It is hereby made the duty of the *state board of pharmacy, the department, the **state liquor control board, and their officers, agents, inspectors and representatives, and all law enforcement officers within the state, and of all prosecuting attorneys, to enforce all provisions of this chapter, except those specifically delegated, and to cooperate with all agencies charged with the enforcement of the laws of the United States, of this state, and all other states, relating to controlled substances as defined in this chapter.

(b) [(2)] Employees of the department of health, who are so designated by the *board as enforcement officers are declared to be peace officers and shall be vested with police powers to enforce the drug laws of this state, including this chapter.

[ 2013 c 3 s 24 (Initiative Measure No. 502, approved November 6, 2012); 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 s 437; 1971 ex.s. c 308 s 69.50.500.]

Notes:

Reviser's note: *(1) Chapter 19, Laws of 2013 changed "state board of pharmacy" to "pharmacy quality assurance commission."

**(2) The "state liquor control board" was renamed the "state liquor and cannabis board" by 2015 c 70 s 3.

Intent—2013 c 3 (Initiative Measure No. 502): See note following RCW 69.50.101.

Effective date—Severability—1989 1st ex.s. c 9: See RCW 43.70.910 and 43.70.920.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 2021–2025 · leading case: King v. Rushford (W.D. Wash. 2021).

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U4ik Gardens LLP, V State Liquor Control Bd. (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). “Board enforcement RCW 69.50.500(a) authorizes the Board to enforce the provisions of chapter 69.”

King v. Rushford (W.D. Wash. 2021). “010, which provides enforcement authority only with 19 respect to liquor regulations, and RCW 69.50.500, which excludes LCB officers from 20 engaging in peace officer actions.”

Lyon v. Thurston Cnty. (W.D. Wash. 2025). “WSLCB is 20 responsible for enforcing Washington’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act, RCW 69.50.500, 21 which Plaintiff Lyon was suspected of violating at the time of his arrest.”

— Wash. Rev. Code § 69.50.500(a) — 1 case

U4ik Gardens LLP, V State Liquor Control Bd. (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). “Board enforcement RCW 69.50.500(a) authorizes the Board to enforce the provisions of chapter 69.”

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