What is legalization? Legalization means use of the substance is allowed by law. People can use the substance without worrying about being convicted or fined. Limits can still be set on the use. Ex: the law may require you to be a certain age to use the substance, or limit how much you can carry or possess. In 2012, WA became one of the first U.S. states to legalize recreational use of marijuana and to allow recreational marijuana sales.

What is legalization? 

Legalization means use of the substance is allowed by law. People can use the substance without worrying about being convicted or fined. But limits, like age or amount you can possess, can still be set on the use.

[Dark green background with neon green and white text] What is decriminalization? Decriminalization removes criminal punishment, including for possession of drugs for personal use. The substances are still prohibited, but instead of incarceration, people found with the drug could get redirected to services rather than face possible criminal charges.

What is decriminalization?

Decriminalization removes criminal punishment, including for possession of drugs for personal use. The substances are still prohibited, but instead of incarceration, people found with the drug could get redirected to services rather than face possible criminal charges.

Curious about the difference between the decriminalization and legalization of drugs? We've got you covered ⤵️

It's high time for WA to reverse the failed legacy and racially inequitable outcomes of the War on Drugs and invest in evidence-based care like treatment, harm reduction, and long-term recovery.

The nationwide overdose crisis and its impact in Washington is a public health emergency – and we need to treat it as such.

Evidence shows that when we invest in public health interventions, overdose deaths decrease. Between 2023-2024, deaths fell by 27% due to intervention, not criminalization.

We’ll be blunt: It’s time to end the War on Drugs.  

No one should face incarceration, fines, or a criminal record for possessing drugs for personal use. People should be met with dignity, care and support. Period.

Purple event poster with a photo of David Morales of Yakima Immigrant Response Network speaking at an immigrant rights and climate justice rally. Photo credit/ Donald W. Meyers, Yakima Herald. 2026 Spring Symposium, Thursday, May 14, 2026, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Reception, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. | Main program, Kane Hall, Room 225, Free and open to the public, Join us in person or live stream, Registration required: www.tinyurl.com/springevent2026 Panelists: Alyssa Walker Keller, Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition Angelina Godoy, UW Center for Human Rights David Montes, ACLU of Washington David Morales, Yakima Immigrant Response Network Stephen Manning, Innovation Law Lab

Join us for UWCHR's 2026 Spring Symposium ft. a discussion on PNW immigration trends and how local communities are responding to today’s heightened enforcement and changing tactics.

Thurs, May 14, 2026, 5-7:30 pm
Kane Hall, Room 225

Join in person or online!
RSVP: www.tinyurl.com/springevent2026

This country does not belong to politicians; it belongs to the people. When we fight together — and for each other — we win.

Tell Meta: Eyewear, Not Spywear Meta intends to add facial recognition technology to their glasses so anyone wearing the product can immediately and invisibly identify strangers. Tell Meta: Your glasses shouldn’t know our names. Demand privacy protections today.

Meta's plans to install facial recognition in their “smart” glasses would destroy our chance at privacy and anonymity in public. We could all be identified without our consent.

Send a message to Meta demanding they make eyewear, not spywear.

Quote by Dolores Huerta who is one of the most influential labor leaders and activists of the 20th Century. Quote reads, "Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world." Graphic includes a photo of Dolores Huerta smiling and wearing a "Keep Washington Working" pin.

April 10 is Dolores Huerta Day in WA state, thanks to legislation passed in 2019 to honor the iconic civil rights and labor leader. Ms. Huerta worked to fight abuse and discrimination against farm workers and women. She coined the phrase, “ Sí, se puede,” and helped launch the National Farm Workers Association. She sought to bring change to her community, organizing for improved pay and living and working conditions for farm workers, including disability insurance.

Photo of Dolores Huerta holding a "HUELGA" sign. Accompanied by a quote from Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self (WA’s 21st District) who was the prime sponsor of House Bill 1906, which passed in 2019 to mark April 10 as Dolores Huerta Day in WA state. Quote reads “Dolores Huerta worked diligently to not only be a voice for underrepresented farm workers, but also a voice for women to gain the courage to step into roles of leadership.”

Dolores Huerta is one of the most influential labor leaders of our time. Her activism is a testament to the power of community organizing, and her iconic phrase, "¡SÍ, SE PUEDE!" is a poignant reminder that together, we can create meaningful and lasting change.

#DoloresHuertaDay #DíaDeDoloresHuerta

Regulating this technology is paramount to our safety and privacy – and not having it is even better. We’ll keep fighting to ensure everyone in WA can move freely and safely without fear that the government is watching and tracking their every move.

This website is unavailable in your location. – KIRO 7 News Seattle

NEW: The Pierce County Sheriff's Office has deactivated their ALPRs after the Driver Privacy Act was signed into law last week. This is a win for privacy rights!

The Driver Privacy Act was signed into law last week. As Senator Trudeau said, this law is the floor, not the ceiling, of our efforts to protect Washingtonians from the harms of ALPRs. There’s more work to do to keep us all safe from the threats of mass surveillance – we’re just getting started.

maroon graphic with white text reads: “The Pentagon is asking for 200 BILLION dollars to help fund President Trump’s unconstitutional war on Iran. Our taxpayer dollars should go toward keeping our communities safe, not an illegal war”. ACLU logo appears at the bottom

Congress must use their power to end the president’s unauthorized bombing campaign, which means opposing any requests for more money.

Contact your members of Congress NOW at aclu.org/war-on-iran-

The president needed a reminder of what the Constitution says — we gave it to him.

Live Coverage: Birthright Citizenship SCOTUS Oral Arguments The ACLU is at the Supreme Court for oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara. Follow live coverage of the fight to defend birthright citizenship.

Follow live coverage of the fight to defend birthright citizenship:

Red background and bold white text that reads: “It’s an American promise: anyone born here is a citizen of our country.” The ACLU logo appears at the bottom.

"By attacking birthright citizenship, President Trump is going against the Constitution, Supreme Court precedent, and American Values." We're fighting this at the Supreme Court. ACLU logo at the bottom right.

We say this with our full chest: Birthright citizenship is not optional. It is not negotiable. And it is not something that can be erased by executive order.
 
Today, we're at the Supreme Court — the highest court in the land — to defend the rights of all babies born on US soil.

BREAKING: President Trump has issued an unlawful executive order attempting to severely restrict mail-in voting.

The Constitution is clear: Only the states or Congress can change election laws.

Trans Rights Are Women's Rights | ACLU Here’s why the rights of trans people are at the heart of gender justice for all.

Our liberation is all interconnected.

We can't fight for gender justice without defending transgender people.

Light projection on building with columns that says We Defend Birthright Citizenship and has hundreds of names.

Light projection on building with columns that says 300,000 Strong for Birthright Citizenship and has hundreds of names.

Tonight, we’re making sure his administration sees the hundreds of thousands of people across the nation who are with us in defending this foundational American right. 

Tomorrow, we’ll see him in court — and we will win.

Marsha and Sylvia Rivera were founding members of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, who advocated, sheltered, and cared for trans people — particularly unhoused youth.

This Women’s History Month, we honor her enduring legacy of unapologetic advocacy.

Marsha P. Johnson was a trailblazing activist whose leadership helped shape the modern LGBTQ rights movement. Following the 1969 Stonewall uprising, she dedicated her life to fighting for liberation for all.

We’re committed to celebrating the joy and resiliency of trans people today and every day. We'll keep showing up, alongside trans advocates, activists, and community members to champion everyone's freedom to be themselves — fully, freely, and with joy. Full stop.

TDOV comes at a time of profound attacks. The Trump admin and allies are trying to limit trans people's access to life-saving health care, their ability to play sports, their ability to travel, and their freedom to be who they are. They are attempting to erase trans people — and we can't let them.

When we show up for and protect the rights of trans people, we all win. 

#TransDayOfVisibility is a day to celebrate community-led activism, along with the leadership and care of trans communities across WA.

Gov. Ferguson signs SB 6002, the Driver Privacy Act, into Law - ACLU of Washington This new law regulates automated license plate readers (ALPRs), cameras that scan and store license plate data from countless drivers every day and enable government agencies to track where people drive and when.

Learn more here:

We'll keep fighting for increased statewide guardrails around ALPRs and similar surveillance technologies because all people in WA deserve to be protected from intrusive, warrantless surveillance disguised as public safety.

While this new law offers some key protections, it does not fully meet the moment and falls short of preventing the harms it was intended to address.

NEW: Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed the Driver Privacy Act (SB 6002) into law. This new law regulates automated license plate readers (ALPRs), which store license plate data from countless drivers every day and enable government agencies to track where people drive and when.

Washingtonians are loud and clear today: The power of the people is stronger than the people in power.