Drug Paraphernalia Charges
 
2925.14 Drug paraphernalia.
(A) As used in this section, “drug paraphernalia” means any equipment, product, or material of any kind that is used by the offender, intended by the offender for use, or designed for use, in propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body, a controlled substance in violation of this chapter. “Drug paraphernalia” includes, but is not limited to, any of the following equipment, products, or materials that are used by the offender, intended by the offender for use, or designed by the offender for use, in any of the following manners:
(1) A kit for propagating, cultivating, growing, or harvesting any species of a plant that is a controlled substance or from which a controlled substance can be derived;
(2) A kit for manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, or preparing a controlled substance;
(3) Any object, instrument, or device for manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, or preparing methamphetamine;
(4) An isomerization device for increasing the potency of any species of a plant that is a controlled substance;
(5) Testing equipment for identifying, or analyzing the strength, effectiveness, or purity of, a controlled substance;
(6) A scale or balance for weighing or measuring a controlled substance;
(7) A diluent or adulterant, such as quinine hydrochloride, mannitol, mannite, dextrose, or lactose, for cutting a controlled substance;
(8) A separation gin or sifter for removing twigs and seeds from, or otherwise cleaning or refining, marihuana;
(9) A blender, bowl, container, spoon, or mixing device for compounding a controlled substance;
(10) A capsule, balloon, envelope, or container for packaging small quantities of a controlled substance;
(11) A container or device for storing or concealing a controlled substance;
(12) A hypodermic syringe, needle, or instrument for parenterally injecting a controlled substance into the human body;
(13) An object, instrument, or device for ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body, marihuana, cocaine, hashish, or hashish oil, such as a metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic pipe, with or without a screen, permanent screen, hashish head, or punctured metal bowl; water pipe; carburetion tube or device; smoking or carburetion mask; roach clip or similar object used to hold burning material, such as a marihuana cigarette, that has become too small or too short to be held in the hand; miniature cocaine spoon, or cocaine vial; chamber pipe; carburetor pipe; electric pipe; air driver pipe; chillum; bong; or ice pipe or chiller.
(B) In determining if any equipment, product, or material is drug paraphernalia, a court or law enforcement officer shall consider, in addition to other relevant factors, the following:
(1) Any statement by the owner, or by anyone in control, of the equipment, product, or material, concerning its use;
(2) The proximity in time or space of the equipment, product, or material, or of the act relating to the equipment, product, or material, to a violation of any provision of this chapter;
(3) The proximity of the equipment, product, or material to any controlled substance;
(4) The existence of any residue of a controlled substance on the equipment, product, or material;
(5) Direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of the owner, or of anyone in control, of the equipment, product, or material, to deliver it to any person whom the owner or person in control of the equipment, product, or material knows intends to use the object to facilitate a violation of any provision of this chapter. A finding that the owner, or anyone in control, of the equipment, product, or material, is not guilty of a violation of any other provision of this chapter does not prevent a finding that the equipment, product, or material was intended or designed by the offender for use as drug paraphernalia.
(6) Any oral or written instruction provided with the equipment, product, or material concerning its use;
(7) Any descriptive material accompanying the equipment, product, or material and explaining or depicting its use;
(8) National or local advertising concerning the use of the equipment, product, or material;
(9) The manner and circumstances in which the equipment, product, or material is displayed for sale;
(10) Direct or circumstantial evidence of the ratio of the sales of the equipment, product, or material to the total sales of the business enterprise;
(11) The existence and scope of legitimate uses of the equipment, product, or material in the community;
(12) Expert testimony concerning the use of the equipment, product, or material.
(C)(1) No person shall knowingly use, or possess with purpose to use, drug paraphernalia.
(2) No person shall knowingly sell, or possess or manufacture with purpose to sell, drug paraphernalia, if the person knows or reasonably should know that the equipment, product, or material will be used as drug paraphernalia.
(3) No person shall place an advertisement in any newspaper, magazine, handbill, or other publication that is published and printed and circulates primarily within this state, if the person knows that the purpose of the advertisement is to promote the illegal sale in this state of the equipment, product, or material that the offender intended or designed for use as drug paraphernalia.
(D) This section does not apply to manufacturers, licensed health professionals authorized to prescribe drugs, pharmacists, owners of pharmacies, and other persons whose conduct is in accordance with Chapters 3719., 4715., 4723., 4729., 4730., 4731., and 4741. of the Revised Code. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the possession or use of a hypodermic as authorized by section 3719.172 of the Revised Code.
(E) Notwithstanding Chapter 2981. of the Revised Code, any drug paraphernalia that was used, possessed, sold, or manufactured in a violation of this section shall be seized, after a conviction for that violation shall be forfeited, and upon forfeiture shall be disposed of pursuant to division (B) of section 2981.12 of the Revised Code.
(F)(1) Whoever violates division (C)(1) of this section is guilty of illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(2) Except as provided in division (F)(3) of this section, whoever violates division (C)(2) of this section is guilty of dealing in drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor of the second degree.
(3) Whoever violates division (C)(2) of this section by selling drug paraphernalia to a juvenile is guilty of selling drug paraphernalia to juveniles, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(4) Whoever violates division (C)(3) of this section is guilty of illegal advertising of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor of the second degree.
(G) In addition to any other sanction imposed upon an offender for a violation of this section, the court shall suspend for not less than six months or more than five years the offender’s driver’s or commercial driver’s license or permit. If the offender is a professionally licensed person, in addition to any other sanction imposed for a violation of this section, the court immediately shall comply with section 2925.38 of the Revised Code.
 
ANY conviction for possession of drug paraphernalia carries with it a MANDATORY DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSION. Further, a drug conviction can have serious ramifications on employment, your credibility, and may even be used against you in custody cases.
 
There are many defenses to the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.  The defense begins with a thorough assessment of all the evidence to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the case.  This will include: did the police have the right to search you of you vehicle, were the drugs analyzed by the crime lab, and can the State prove each and every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
 
Here at Suhre & Associates, our attorneys include  3 FORMER PROSECUTORS AND A FORMER POLICE OFFICER.  Having been on the “other side” of the law,  it affords us the knowledge to understand how the State will proceed against you.  We are aggressive, experienced trial lawyers who advocate for our clients rights by investigating each and aspect of the case.
 
So, if you or a loved one is charged with possession of marijuana or other drugs, call Suhre & Associates at 330-510-5668 for a FREE CONSULTATION.  We truly do welcome your call and will answer all your questions in a non judgmental, professional manner