Can I buy Marijuana in Ohio Legally? Yes! As of August 6, 2024, Ohioans across the state are now able to buy recreational marijuana. After the passage of Issue 2 in November 2023, the state legislature made Ohio the 23rd state to legalize marijuana. However, since...
Drug Crimes
Can I be charged with possession of drugs if I test positive for drugs?
Can I be charged with possession of a controlled substance because I have an illegal drug in my blood stream? Classic lawyer answer: it depends. However, a recent Ohio Supreme Court case, State v. Forman, 2021-Ohio-3409, made it clear that the mere presence of a drug...
Can You Be Pulled Over For Driving Someone Else’s Vehicle?
Potentially, yes. If you do not have permission to be driving the vehicle, then you are committing a crime and can be arrested. However, a recent United States Supreme Court case held that even if you have permission to drive someone else's vehicle, it is possible...
Can You Be Pulled Over For A Traffic Violation Even If You Didn’t Commit A Crime?
The short answer is yes; however, under the Ohio and United States Constitutions, a police officer's belief that a traffic violation occurred must be "objectively reasonable."When a judge examines whether a traffic stop is legal under the Ohio and United States...
Hemp Legalization and Implications on Marijuana Law Enforcement and Prosecution
As of July 30, 2019, hemp became legal in the State of Ohio. The difference between marijuana and hemp could be an important legal defense in drug trafficking and drug possession cases.What is hemp? Like marijuana, hemp is a species of cannabis but has different...
Marijuana Decriminalization in Cincinnati: The Unanswered Questions
This month, City Council voted to decriminalize marijuana possession in Cincinnati for individuals who possess up to 100 grams. But does this mean people can light up a joint within the city limits? Not so fast.Possession Remains an Offense in Ohio Revised CodeFirst,...
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Possibly Coming To Lebanon, Ohio
State regulators have scheduled a final inspection of 525 Genntown Drive in Lebanon this week as part of the final step towards About Wellness Ohio obtaining the certificate of operation needed to run the facility. If the dispensary passes inspection it could open...
Possessing Two Or More Drugs At The Same Time Leads To Multiple Sentences
Last week, the 12th District Court of Appeals in State v. Woodard, 2017-Ohio-6914 held that drug possession charges based upon the simultaneous possession of two or more controlled substances are not allied offenses of similar import. Essentially, allied offenses of...
What is Bulk Amount and how does it impact drug charges?
Drug offenses under Ohio law, such as possession or trafficking, can vary depending on the weight or the amount of drug involved. All illegal drugs, whether they are prescription or street drugs, have a baseline level of offense that can increase depending on the...
Update: Ohio Supreme Court weighs in on the weight of cocaine
In an update to a previous blog post, the Ohio Supreme Court has decided a case that has drastic implications for how the weight of drugs, and specifically cocaine, is determined. In State v. Gonzales, the Court held that the State must prove the weight of the actual...