Liquor and Drug Laws: Local, State, and Federal

There are numerous local, state and federal statutes related to the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, and use of controlled substances and alcohol. Legal sanctions may be imposed for both felony and misdemeanor convictions. Legal sanctions may include loss of financial aid, community service hours, fines and/or forfeiture of property, and/or incarceration up to life imprisonment. More severe penalties are provided for persons convicted of providing controlled substances to minors and for repeat offenses. For full details, see city, county, state, and federal sections below.

City of Bellingham Liquor and Drug Ordinances

10.08.070 - Opening, Possessing, Or Consuming Liquor In A Public Place
(1) It is unlawful for any person to open any package containing liquor, to possess any open container of liquor, or to consume any liquor in a public place, except in those areas or at those events that have appropriate licensing from the State of Washington and written permission of the authorized public official. (2) Every person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a civil infraction.
[Ord. 1999-09-057; Ord. 10507 §2, 1994; Ord. 10371 §1, 1992]

12.12.160 - Intoxication
A. It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of or affected by the use of intoxicating liquor or of any drug to operate, propel, or be in actual physical control of a watercraft within the city.
B. No owner of a watercraft or person in charge or control of a watercraft shall authorize or knowingly permit the watercraft to be propelled or operated by any person who is under the influence of or affected by the use of intoxicating liquor or any drug.
C. Whenever it appears reasonably certain to any police officer that any person under the influence or affected by the use of intoxicating liquor or any drug is about to operate a watercraft or vessel in violation of subsection A of this section, the officer may take reasonable measures to prevent any such person from so doing, either by taking from him or the watercraft the keys of such watercraft and securing the same by impounding them, or by some other appropriate means. Such keys or other articles which may be impounded in order to immobilize the watercraft may be returned to the owner or person in question upon proper identification if it appears there is no longer any reasonable cause to believe that the subject watercraft will be operated by a person under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug.
[Ord. 8655 § 3(N), 1978.]

8.12.070 - Intoxication
A. It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or narcotic or habit-forming drugs to operate or be in actual physical control of any watercraft.
B. It is unlawful for the owner of any watercraft or any person having such in charge or in control to authorize or knowingly permit the same to be operated by any person who is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor, narcotic or habit-forming drugs.
[Prior code § 10.12.070.]

10.08.030 - Glue Sniffing Prohibited
A. It is unlawful to intentionally smell or inhale the fumes from any glue, cement, or other product containing one or more of the following chemical compounds: acetone, an acetate, benzene, butyl, alcohol, ethyl alcohol, ethylene, dichloride, isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, pentochlorophenol, petroleum ether or toluene for the purpose of becoming intoxicated, inebriated, excited, or stupefied; provided this section shall not be construed as applying to the inhalation of any anesthesia for medical or dental purposes.
B. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or by both.
[Ord. 10548 §3, 1994; Ord. 8573 §2(C), 1977.]

Whatcom County Liquor and Drug Laws

CONSUMPTION AND POSESSION OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS BY MINORS

9.28.010 Unlawful acquisition, consumption and possession
It is unlawful for any person under the age of 21 years to acquire in any manner, consume or have in his possession any intoxicating liquor; provided, that the foregoing shall not apply in the case of liquor given or permitted to be given to such person under the age of 21 years by his parent or guardian for beverage or medicinal purposes, or administered to him by his physician or dentist for medicinal purposes. (Prior code § 5.16.010).

9.28.020
Unlawful supply to minors.
It is unlawful for any person to give, or otherwise supply, intoxicating liquor to any person under the age of 21 years, or permit any person under that age to consume intoxicating liquor on his premises or on any premises under his control, except as provided in Section 9.28.010. (Prior code § 5.16.020).

9.28.030
Violation -- Penalties.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than $100.00 or imprisonment in the county jail for not less than five days nor more than 30 days. (Prior code § 5.16.030).

State of Washington Liquor and Drug Laws

Liquor Laws
RCW Title 66 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL
RCW 66.04.010 Definitions
RCW 66.44.090 Acting without a license
RCW 66.44.100 Opening or consuming liquor in public place -- penalty
RCW 66.44.130 Sales of liquor by drink or bottle
RCW 66.44.170 Illegal possession of liquor with intent to sell -- Prima facie evidence, what is
RCW 66.44.175 Violations of law
RCW 66.44.180 General penalties - Jurisdiction for violations
RCW 66.44.200 Sales to persons apparently under the influence of liquor
RCW 66.44.240 Drinking in public conveyance - Penalty against carrier
RCW 66.44.250 Drinking in public conveyance - Penalty against individual
RCW 66.44.270 Furnishing liquor to minors - Possession, use
RCW 66.44.290 Minors purchasing or attempting to purchase liquor
RCW 66.44.291 Minors purchasing or attempting to purchase liquor - penalty against persons between ages eighteen and twenty, inclusive
RCW 66.44.310 Minor frequenting off-limits area - Misrepresentation of age
RCW 66.44.325 Unlawful transfer to a minor of an identification of age
RCW 66.44.328 Preparation or acquisition and supply to persons under age twenty-one of facsimile of official identification card -- Penalty
RCW 66.28.200 Keg registration - Requirements of seller
RCW 66.28.210 Keg registration - Requirements of purchaser
RCW 66.28.230 Keg registration - Penalties

Drug Laws
RCW Chapter 69.50, Uniform Controlled Substances Act
RCW 69.50.204 Schedule I
RCW 69.50.206 Schedule II
RCW 69.50.208 Schedule III
RCW 69.50.210 Schedule IV
RCW 69.50.211 Schedule V tests
RCW 69.50.401 Prohibited acts: A -- Penalties
RCW 69.50.406 Distribution to persons under age eighteen.
RCW 69.50.408 Second or subsequent offenses
RCW 69.50.410 Prohibited acts: D -- Penalties
RCW 69.50.412 Prohibited acts: E -- Penalties
RCW 69.50.415 Controlled substances homicide -- Penalty
RCW 69.50.435 Violations committed in or on certain public places or facilities -- Additional penalty -- Defenses -- Construction -- Definition
RCW 69.50.505 Seizure and forfeiture
RCW 69.50.509 Search and seizure of controlled substances
RCW 69.52.030 Violations -- Exceptions
RCW 69.52.040 Seizure of contraband

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and/or Liquor
RCW 46.61.502 Driving under the influence
RCW 46.61.503 Driver under twenty-one consuming alcohol -- Penalties
RCW 46.61.504 Physical control of vehicle under the influence
RCW 46.61.519 Alcoholic beverages -- Drinking or open container in vehicle on highway -- Exceptions
RCW 46.61.5195 Disguising alcoholic beverage container
RCW 46.61.520 Vehicular homicide -- Penalty

Federal Liquor and Drug Laws

21 U.S.C. Chapter 13 -- Drug Abuse Prevention and Control
21 U.S.C. Chapter 24 -- International Narcotics Trafficking
42 U.S.C. Chapter 136 -- Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement, Subchapter IV -- Drug Control