Drug Charges in Ohio

If you have been arrested for possession of a controlled substance in Ohio the severity of the charge depends on a number of factors.  The three biggest factors to consider are the type of drug you are accused of possessing, your prior criminal history, and the amount of drugs you are accused of possessing.  Contact Columbus, OH criminal attorney Peter Binning right now for a free, confidential case review.

Marijuana Possession

Marijuana possession is probably the most common criminal drug charge in Ohio.  Under Ohio law possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana is a minor misdemeanor.  You may be fined up to $150.00 plus court costs, but cannot be sentenced to jail.  You may, however, be barred from certain federal, state, or local assistance programs for a set time period, or even for life.  Most importantly if you are, or are planning on becoming a college student, is that you may not qualify for student grants, or student loans guaranteed by the federal government.

Before pleading guilty of any marijuana possession in Ohio charge contact Columbus, OH criminal attorney Peter Binning for a free, confidential case evaluation.  You need to understand the long lasting effects that any guilty plea may have on your future before you agree to plead guilty.  There are also many defenses to an Ohio marijuana possession charged.  These need to be evaluated before you plead guilty.

Possession of a Controlled Substance

All drugs, including prescribed medicines are classified by the federal government.  There are five schedules of drugs.  The amount of the drugs you allegedly possessed will determine the severity of the charges against you.  The drug classifications generally are as follows:

Schedule I drugs include heroin, GHB, LSD, and marijuana.  Schedule I drugs are believed by the federal government to have a high risk of addiction and no legitimate medical use.  There is an ongoing debate across the country about whether marijuana should be included as a Schedule I drug since there is evidence of medical use, and several studies have found that the risk of addiction is less than the anti-marijuana lobby has claimed for the past 60 years.

Schedule II drugs include opium, cocaine, methadone, amphetamine, and methamphetamine.  These drugs are thought to have limited medical use, but a high risk of addiction.

Schedule III drugs include hydrocodone, codeine, testosterone, ketamine, and various performance enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids.  These drugs are thought to have more medical use than Schedule I or II drugs, and a moderate risk of addiction.

Schedule IV drugs include clonazepam, many sedative, and assorted tranquilizers.  They are thought to have common medical uses and a slight risk of addiction.

Schedule V drugs are generally over the counter medications that include drugs found in the other classes of drugs.  This may include cough medicines with codeine, sleep aids, and other medications.  These are thought to have accepted medical uses, and little or no risk of addiction.

Ohio drug possession laws set a bulk amount for each class of drug.  The bulk amount is simply the level that boosts the charge to a higher class of crime.  The bulk amount is simply the amount of the drug you are alleged to have possessed.  Each drug has a unique bulk amount.

If you have been arrested on drug charges in Ohio contact Columbus, OH criminal attorney Peter Binning right now for a free, confidential case evaluation.  Because of the complexity of the drug categories, and the varying bulk amounts it is critical that we evaluate your case carefully before deciding the best defense for your case.  Contact us now!