Ohio Initiative to Defelonize Drug Possession Placed on November Ballot
An initiative to reduce penalties for non-violent drug crimes while allowing many current inmates to seek shorter sentences will be voted on this November in Ohio.
Issue 1 would reduce the penalty for possessing and using a variety of illegal substances, including cocaine, heroin and LSD, from a felony to a misdemeanor offenses. In addition, jail time couldn’t be imposed until an individual’s third offense.
The constitutional amendment also allows reductions of up to 25% on the sentences of current inmates who participate in rehabilitation, work or educational programming. Only murderers, rapists and child molesters are ineligible.
Supporters of the initiative say that cost savings would leave more money for drug treatment and crime victim compensation, and say that a felony charge is too harsh for someone possession an illegal substance for personal use.
Laws surrounding the distribution of drugs would remain unaltered.
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The word “purchasing” does not appear in the language of Issue 1. It does not change sentencing for or apply “to convictions for the sale, distribution, or trafficking of drugs” (as stated in Section G), but it does apply only “to possessing, obtaining, or using a drug or drug paraphernalia” for up to two convictions within a 24 month period (as state in Section D).