G.D. Hancock, Ph.D.

Ohio

Ohio has no statute that makes supplying drugs that cause a death a crime of its own.

Statutes last checked 7 October 2026 · Not legal advice

Supplying drugs that cause a death

A death can still be charged under the general homicide laws, such as involuntary manslaughter.

Calling for help: the Good Samaritan law

A person who seeks medical help in good faith for someone overdosing, and the person who overdosed, cannot be arrested, charged, prosecuted, convicted or penalized for minor drug possession or paraphernalia, but only if they get a screening and treatment referral within 30 days. No one can receive this protection more than twice. It does not cover trafficking.

Statute: Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.11(B)(2)

Whatever the law says, if someone is overdosing, call 911. A life comes first. More on calling 911.

Federal law

Federal law applies in every state. When death or serious bodily injury results from using a Schedule I or II drug that a person distributed, federal law sets a mandatory minimum of 20 years and a maximum of life. Federal prosecutors can bring this charge whatever the state law says. (21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A)-(C))

Cases from Ohio in the database sample

26 cases in the published sample of the drug-induced homicide case database were prosecuted in Ohio. The database is still being built; the complete version will be published when it is finished.

Sources

  1. Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.11(B)(2)
  2. 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A)-(C)

About this information

This page describes what the statutes say, as of 7 October 2026. It is not legal advice, and it can’t tell you how a court will apply the law to any particular case. Laws change; check the statute, and please speak to a lawyer in Ohio about your own situation.