(a) Except as provided in RCW 69.50.401(2)(c) or as otherwise authorized by Chapter 69.50 RCW or a different applicable law, any person found guilty of knowing possession of forty grams or less of cannabis is guilty of a misdemeanor. The prosecutor is encouraged to divert cases under this subsection for assessment, treatment or other services.

(b) In lieu of jail booking and referral to the prosecutor, law enforcement is encouraged to offer a referral to assessment and services available under RCW 10.31.110 or from a program or entity responsible for receiving referrals in lieu of legal system involvement, which may include, but are not limited to, arrest and jail alternative programs established under RCW 36.28A.450, law enforcement-assisted diversion programs established under RCW 71.24.589, and the recovery navigator program established under RCW 71.24.115. (Ord. 2217, § 4, 2024.)