HB 171 Summary

• Amends Ohio drug trafficking and possession laws to lower the heroin thresholds that trigger first-degree felony charges and major drug offender classification in sections 2925.03, 2925.11, and 2929.01 of the Revised Code.

• For heroin trafficking: reduces the threshold for first-degree felony status from 2,500 unit doses or 250 grams to 1,500 unit doses or 150 grams; reduces major drug offender threshold from 2,500+ unit doses or 250+ grams to 1,500+ unit doses or 150+ grams.

• For heroin possession: applies the same reduced thresholds (1,500 unit doses or 150 grams) for escalating possession charges to first-degree felony level and major drug offender status.

• Makes corresponding amendments to the definition of "major drug offender" in section 2929.01 to reflect the new heroin quantity thresholds.

• Repeals existing sections 2925.03, 2925.11, and 2929.01 and replaces them with amended versions containing the reduced heroin thresholds.