Washington legal term
Illegal drug in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Illegal drug” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Washington criminal code.
What does “Illegal drug” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Illegal drug" means a controlled substance under chapter 69.50 RCW for which the person detained does not have a valid prescription or that is not being consumed in accordance with the prescription directions and warnings, or a legend drug under chapter 69.41 RCW for which the person does not have a valid prescription or that is not being consumed in accordance with the prescription directions and warnings. (RCW 9A.16.120)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.