Last November, Ohio voters failed to pass Issue 1, a constitutional amendment that would reduce penalties for certain drug offenders, taking on Ohio's opioid epidemic and large prison population. However, the measure — and its defeat — did start a conversation on criminal justice reform in Ohio.
On March 6, Ohio Senate Bill 3 (SB3), a comprehensive plan for drug-sentencing reform, was introduced. The bill reduces penalties for possession of illegal drugs but toughens punishments for drug trafficking - and also contains some criminal justice reforms that resemble those proposed in Issue 1. While likely to undergo some changes, the Ohio Senate hopes to pass SB3 by the summer recess. If passed, the bill would become state law.
Larry Obhof
President, Ohio Senate
Zach Klein
Columbus City Attorney
Stephanie D. Howse
Ohio House of Representatives, District 11
John J. Eklund
Ohio Senator, District 18
Karen Kasler
Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio and Television
