Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 2925
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02 (2026)

Corrupting another with drugs

✓ laws through the 2026 session (checked Sept. 2026)
Find cases: SyfertCases citing this section ORCcodes.ohio.gov (official) Justiaon Justia CornellLII Search CasesGoogle Scholar
Effective:
April 9, 2025
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 29, Senate Bill 95 - 135th General Assembly
PDF:
Download Authenticated PDF
 

(A) No person shall knowingly do any of the following:

(1) By force, threat, or deception, administer to another or induce or cause another to use a controlled substance;

(2) By any means, administer or furnish to another or induce or cause another to use a controlled substance with purpose to cause serious physical harm to the other person, or with purpose to cause the other person to become a person with drug dependency;

(3) By any means, administer or furnish to another or induce or cause another to use a controlled substance, and thereby cause serious physical harm to the other person, or cause the other person to become a person with drug dependency;

(4) By any means, do any of the following:

(a) Furnish or administer a controlled substance to a juvenile who is at least two years the offender's junior, when the offender knows the age of the juvenile or is reckless in that regard;

(b) Induce or cause a juvenile who is at least two years the offender's junior to use a controlled substance, when the offender knows the age of the juvenile or is reckless in that regard;

(c) Induce or cause a juvenile who is at least two years the offender's junior to commit a felony drug abuse offense, when the offender knows the age of the juvenile or is reckless in that regard;

(d) Use a juvenile, whether or not the offender knows the age of the juvenile, to perform any surveillance activity that is intended to prevent the detection of the offender or any other person in the commission of a felony drug abuse offense or to prevent the arrest of the offender or any other person for the commission of a felony drug abuse offense.

(5) By any means, furnish or administer a controlled substance to a pregnant woman or induce or cause a pregnant woman to use a controlled substance, when the offender knows that the woman is pregnant or is reckless in that regard.

(B) Division (A)(1), (3), (4), or (5) of this section does not apply to manufacturers, wholesalers, 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., 4741., and 4772. of the Revised Code.

(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of corrupting another with drugs. The penalty for the offense shall be determined as follows:

(1) If the offense is a violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section and the drug involved is any compound, mixture, preparation, or substance included in schedule I or II, with the exception of marihuana, 1-Pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 1-Butyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 1-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol, and 5-(1,1-dimethyloctyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol, the offender shall be punished as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(1)(b) of this section, corrupting another with drugs committed in those circumstances is a felony of the second degree and, subject to division (E) of this section, the court shall impose as a mandatory prison term a second degree felony mandatory prison term.

(b) If the offense was committed in the vicinity of a school, corrupting another with drugs committed in those circumstances is a felony of the first degree, and, subject to division (E) of this section, the court shall impose as a mandatory prison term a first degree felony mandatory prison term.

(2) If the offense is a violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section and the drug involved is any compound, mixture, preparation, or substance included in schedule III, IV, or V, the offender shall be punished as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2)(b) of this section, corrupting another with drugs committed in those circumstances is a felony of the second degree and there is a presumption for a prison term for the offense.

(b) If the offense was committed in the vicinity of a school, corrupting another with drugs committed in those circumstances is a felony of the second degree and the court shall impose as a mandatory prison term a second degree felony mandatory prison term.

(3) If the offense is a violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section and the drug involved is marihuana, 1-Pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 1-Butyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 1-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol, or 5-(1,1-dimethyloctyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol, the offender shall be punished as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(3)(b) of this section, corrupting another with drugs committed in those circumstances is a felony of the fourth degree and division (C) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code applies in determining whether to impose a prison term on the offender.

(b) If the offense was committed in the vicinity of a school, corrupting another with drugs committed in those circumstances is a felony of the third degree and division (C) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code applies in determining whether to impose a prison term on the offender.

(4) If the offense is a violation of division (A)(5) of this section and the drug involved is any compound, mixture, preparation, or substance included in schedule I or II, with the exception of marihuana, 1-Pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 1-Butyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 1-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol, and 5-(1,1-dimethyloctyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol, corrupting another with drugs is a felony of the first degree and, subject to division (E) of this section, the court shall impose as a mandatory prison term a first degree felony mandatory prison term.

(5) If the offense is a violation of division (A)(5) of this section and the drug involved is any compound, mixture, preparation, or substance included in schedule III, IV, or V, corrupting another with drugs is a felony of the second degree and the court shall impose as a mandatory prison term a second degree felony mandatory prison term.

(6) If the offense is a violation of division (A)(5) of this section and the drug involved is marihuana, 1-Pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 1-Butyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 1-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol, or 5-(1,1-dimethyloctyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol, corrupting another with drugs is a felony of the third degree and division (C) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code applies in determining whether to impose a prison term on the offender.

(D) In addition to any prison term authorized or required by division (C) or (E) of this section and sections 2929.13 and 2929.14 of the Revised Code and in addition to any other sanction imposed for the offense under this section or sections 2929.11 to 2929.18 of the Revised Code, the court that sentences an offender who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of division (A) of this section shall do all of the following that are applicable regarding the offender:

(1)(a) If the violation is a felony of the first, second, or third degree, the court shall impose upon the offender the mandatory fine specified for the offense under division (B)(1) of section 2929.18 of the Revised Code unless, as specified in that division, the court determines that the offender is indigent.

(b) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of section 3719.21 of the Revised Code, any mandatory fine imposed pursuant to division (D)(1)(a) of this section and any fine imposed for a violation of this section pursuant to division (A) of section 2929.18 of the Revised Code shall be paid by the clerk of the court in accordance with and subject to the requirements of, and shall be used as specified in, division (F) of section 2925.03 of the Revised Code.

(c) If a person is charged with any violation of this section that is a felony of the first, second, or third degree, posts bail, and forfeits the bail, the forfeited bail shall be paid by the clerk of the court pursuant to division (D)(1)(b) of this section as if it were a fine imposed for a violation of this section.

(2) 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.

(3) If the offender has a driver's or commercial driver's license or permit, section 2929.33 of the Revised Code applies.

(E) Notwithstanding the prison term otherwise authorized or required for the offense under division (C) of this section and sections 2929.13 and 2929.14 of the Revised Code, if the violation of division (A) of this section involves the sale, offer to sell, or possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance, with the exception of marihuana, 1-Pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 1-Butyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 1-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole, 5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol, and 5-(1,1-dimethyloctyl)-2-[(1R,3S)-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]-phenol, and if the court imposing sentence upon the offender finds that the offender as a result of the violation is a major drug offender and is guilty of a specification of the type described in division (A) of section 2941.1410 of the Revised Code, the court, in lieu of the prison term that otherwise is authorized or required, shall impose upon the offender the mandatory prison term specified in division (B)(3)(a) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code.

(F) Any offender who received a mandatory suspension of the offender's driver's or commercial driver's license or permit under this section prior to September 13, 2016, may file a motion with the sentencing court requesting the termination of the suspension. However, an offender who pleaded guilty to or was convicted of a violation of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar municipal ordinance or law of another state or the United States that arose out of the same set of circumstances as the violation for which the offender's license or permit was suspended under this section shall not file such a motion.

Upon the filing of a motion under division (F) of this section, the sentencing court, in its discretion, may terminate the suspension.

Last updated January 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 249 cases (102 in the last 5 years), 1989–2026 · leading case: State v. Brown, 2018-Ohio-899.
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
State v. Brown, 2018-Ohio-899. · cites it 13× “If Brown had been charged under R.C. 2925.02(A)(2), this argument might have merit.”
State v. Hollingshead, 2023-Ohio-1714, 214 N.E.3d 1233. · cites it 22× “{¶4} After the delivery of the child, the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment charging Hollingshead with a violation of R.C. 2925.02 (A)(5), Corrupting Another with Drugs.”
State v. Carpenter, 2019-Ohio-58, 128 N.E.3d 857. · cites it 4× “{¶41} The offense of corrupting another with drugs is codified under R.C. 2925.02 and provides, in relevant part: (A) No person shall knowingly do any of the following: * * * (3) By any means, administer or furnish to another or induce or cause another to use a controlled…”
State v. McKee, 744 N.E.2d 737 (Ohio 2001). · cites it 4× “McKee, was indicted on two counts of corrupting another with drugs, in violation of R.C. 2925.02. At her trial, two girls, Tiffany Friar and Melissa Austin, ages thirteen and fourteen at the time of the alleged crime, testified that appellee, the girlfriend of Tiffany’s father,…”
State v. Haynes, 2020-Ohio-1049, 152 N.E.3d 1217. · cites it 12× “2018CR0105 on two counts of corrupting another with drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.02(A)(2) and (C)(1), felonies of the second degree.”
State v. Emerson, 2016-Ohio-8509, 78 N.E.3d 1199. · cites it 8× “, the schedule of the drug fentanyl) elevating the offense from the lowest level, which was a fourth- degree felony.”
State v. Bontrager, 2022-Ohio-1367, 188 N.E.3d 607. · cites it 4× “02(A)(5), a first-degree felony; (4) Count IV, corrupting another with drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.02(A)(3), a second-degree felony; (5) Count V, trafficking in drugs in violation of R.”
State v. Butcher, 2018-Ohio-4943. · cites it 12× “{¶58} As noted above, the offense of corrupting another person with drugs is set forth in R.C. 2925.02. As to the determination of the proper penalty to impose, division (C)(1) of the statute provides: {¶59} “(1) If the offense is a violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4)…”
State v. Price, 2019-Ohio-1642. · cites it 5× “04(A); two counts of corrupting another with drugs, in violation of R.C. 2925.02(A)(3) (one for heroin and one for fentanyl); two counts of trafficking, in violation of R.”
State v. Clemons, 2013-Ohio-3415. · cites it 10× “Admittedly, Gray involved a different statute, child endangering, which supposes a certain relationship existing between a parent and a child, which is not present in R.C. 2925.02. However, we find its reasoning to be applicable nonetheless.”
Becker v. Cardinal Health, Inc., 2021-Ohio-3804, 179 N.E.3d 769. · cites it 5× “03(B) specifically exempt wholesale distributors from liability for both corrupting another with drugs and trafficking in drugs when the distributor's "conduct is in accordance with Chapters 3719.”
State v. McKee, 744 N.E.2d 737 (Ohio 2001). · cites it 4× “McKee, was indicted on two counts of corrupting another with drugs, in violation of R.C. 2925.02. At her trial, two girls, Tiffany Friar and Melissa Austin, ages thirteen and fourteen at the time of the alleged crime, testified that appellee, the girlfriend of Tiffany’s father,…”
Show all 249 citing cases →
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A): 6 cases
State v. Jackson, 2021-Ohio-4619.
State v. Clemons, 2013-Ohio-3415. “Admittedly, Gray involved a different statute, child endangering, which supposes a certain relationship existing between a parent and a child, which is not present in R.C. 2925.02. However, we find its reasoning to be applicable nonetheless.”
State v. Gutierrez, 2025-Ohio-1884.
State v. Scott, 2021-Ohio-1368.
State v. McCree, 2024-Ohio-777.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(1): 14 cases
State v. Taylor, 2011-Ohio-5080.
State v. Clemons, 2013-Ohio-3415. “Admittedly, Gray involved a different statute, child endangering, which supposes a certain relationship existing between a parent and a child, which is not present in R.C. 2925.02. However, we find its reasoning to be applicable nonetheless.”
State v. Butcher, 2018-Ohio-4943. “{¶58} As noted above, the offense of corrupting another person with drugs is set forth in R.C. 2925.02. As to the determination of the proper penalty to impose, division (C)(1) of the statute provides: {¶59} “(1) If the offense is a violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4)…”
State v. Butcher, 2019-Ohio-3728.
State v. Grier, 2023-Ohio-207.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(1)(C)(1): 1 case
State v. Shelby, 2016-Ohio-5721.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(1)(C)(3): 1 case
State v. Locke, 2012-Ohio-444.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(1)(C)(4): 1 case
State v. Leppert, 2011-Ohio-6406.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(2): 19 cases
State v. Brown, 2018-Ohio-899. “If Brown had been charged under R.C. 2925.02(A)(2), this argument might have merit.”
State v. Haynes, 2020-Ohio-1049, 152 N.E.3d 1217. “2018CR0105 on two counts of corrupting another with drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.02(A)(2) and (C)(1), felonies of the second degree.”
State v. Cunningham, 2018-Ohio-4022.
State v. Bailey, 2023-Ohio-657, 210 N.E.3d 1.
State v. Patterson, 2016-Ohio-2750.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(2)(C)(1): 1 case
State v. Corpening, 2019-Ohio-4833.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(3): 95 cases
State v. Brown, 2018-Ohio-899. “If Brown had been charged under R.C. 2925.02(A)(2), this argument might have merit.”
State v. Carpenter, 2019-Ohio-58, 128 N.E.3d 857. “{¶41} The offense of corrupting another with drugs is codified under R.C. 2925.02 and provides, in relevant part: (A) No person shall knowingly do any of the following: * * * (3) By any means, administer or furnish to another or induce or cause another to use a controlled…”
State v. Price, 2019-Ohio-1642. “04(A); two counts of corrupting another with drugs, in violation of R.C. 2925.02(A)(3) (one for heroin and one for fentanyl); two counts of trafficking, in violation of R.”
State v. Schatzinger, 2021-Ohio-167.
State v. Emerson, 2016-Ohio-8509, 78 N.E.3d 1199. “, the schedule of the drug fentanyl) elevating the offense from the lowest level, which was a fourth- degree felony.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(3)(C)(1): 7 cases
State v. Emerson, 2016-Ohio-8509, 78 N.E.3d 1199. “, the schedule of the drug fentanyl) elevating the offense from the lowest level, which was a fourth- degree felony.”
State v. Leffel, 2019-Ohio-1840.
State v. Pitts, 2022-Ohio-643.
State v. Martinez, 2026-Ohio-1810.
Pitts v. Heuberger, 2023-Ohio-2794.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(4): 8 cases
State v. Holton, 2017-Ohio-6934.
State v. Patterson, 2015-Ohio-4423.
State v. Schwab, 2014-Ohio-336.
State v. Jacobs, 2015-Ohio-4353.
State v. Coons, 2023-Ohio-3506, 225 N.E.3d 1196.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(4)(a): 47 cases
State v. McKee, 744 N.E.2d 737 (Ohio 2001). “McKee, was indicted on two counts of corrupting another with drugs, in violation of R.C. 2925.02. At her trial, two girls, Tiffany Friar and Melissa Austin, ages thirteen and fourteen at the time of the alleged crime, testified that appellee, the girlfriend of Tiffany’s father,…”
State v. Chisenhall, 2024-Ohio-1918.
State v. Keene, 2017-Ohio-7058, 95 N.E.3d 597.
State v. Jacobs, 2015-Ohio-4353.
State v. McKee, 744 N.E.2d 737 (Ohio 2001). “McKee, was indicted on two counts of corrupting another with drugs, in violation of R.C. 2925.02. At her trial, two girls, Tiffany Friar and Melissa Austin, ages thirteen and fourteen at the time of the alleged crime, testified that appellee, the girlfriend of Tiffany’s father,…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(4)(a)(C): 2 cases
State v. Bilicic, 2020-Ohio-982.
State v. Corlett, 2025-Ohio-2907.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(4)(b): 3 cases
State v. Jeffery, 2019-Ohio-4612.
State v. Cheatham, 2025-Ohio-2584.
State v. Norman, 2023-Ohio-4613.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(4)(c): 2 cases
State v. Armstrong, 2016-Ohio-7841.
State v. Voris, 2022-Ohio-152.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(4)(c)(C): 3 cases
State v. Simmons, 2011-Ohio-2625.
State v. Simmons, 2014-Ohio-1014.
State v. Rapp, 2013-Ohio-5384.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(5): 4 cases
State v. Hollingshead, 2023-Ohio-1714, 214 N.E.3d 1233. “{¶4} After the delivery of the child, the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment charging Hollingshead with a violation of R.C. 2925.02 (A)(5), Corrupting Another with Drugs.”
State v. Bontrager, 2022-Ohio-1367, 188 N.E.3d 607. “02(A)(5), a first-degree felony; (4) Count IV, corrupting another with drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.02(A)(3), a second-degree felony; (5) Count V, trafficking in drugs in violation of R.”
State v. Elliott, 621 N.E.2d 1272 (Ohio Ct. App. 12th Dist. 1993).
State v. Meyer, 2018-Ohio-3009.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(A)(C)(1)(a): 1 case
State v. Qualls, 2020-Ohio-3753.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(B): 3 cases
Becker v. Cardinal Health, Inc., 2021-Ohio-3804, 179 N.E.3d 769. “03(B) specifically exempt wholesale distributors from liability for both corrupting another with drugs and trafficking in drugs when the distributor's "conduct is in accordance with Chapters 3719.”
State v. Steele, 2013-Ohio-2470, 3 N.E.3d 135.
State v. Wisniewski, 2021-Ohio-3031.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(B)(4): 2 cases
McCarthy v. Anderson, 2018-Ohio-1993.
McCarthy v. Anderson, 2018-Ohio-1994.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(C): 1 case
State v. Hollingshead, 2023-Ohio-1714, 214 N.E.3d 1233. “{¶4} After the delivery of the child, the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment charging Hollingshead with a violation of R.C. 2925.02 (A)(5), Corrupting Another with Drugs.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(C)(1): 10 cases
State v. Emerson, 2016-Ohio-8509, 78 N.E.3d 1199. “, the schedule of the drug fentanyl) elevating the offense from the lowest level, which was a fourth- degree felony.”
State v. Roper, 2023-Ohio-1738.
State v. Ross, 2026-Ohio-1606.
State v. Schwab, 2013-Ohio-4349.
State v. Cunningham, 2020-Ohio-3586, 154 N.E.3d 1115.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(C)(1)(a): 6 cases
State v. Brown, 2018-Ohio-899. “If Brown had been charged under R.C. 2925.02(A)(2), this argument might have merit.”
State v. Butcher, 2018-Ohio-4943. “{¶58} As noted above, the offense of corrupting another person with drugs is set forth in R.C. 2925.02. As to the determination of the proper penalty to impose, division (C)(1) of the statute provides: {¶59} “(1) If the offense is a violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4)…”
State v. Corcoran, 2017-Ohio-7084.
State v. Bailey, 2023-Ohio-657, 210 N.E.3d 1.
State v. Richard, 2021-Ohio-2980.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(C)(1)(b): 2 cases
State v. Cunningham, 2020-Ohio-3586, 154 N.E.3d 1115.
State v. Pasterchik, 2023-Ohio-4252.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(C)(3): 1 case
State v. Cunningham, 2020-Ohio-3586, 154 N.E.3d 1115.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(C)(3)(b): 1 case
State v. Cunningham, 2020-Ohio-3586, 154 N.E.3d 1115.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(D): 1 case
State ex rel. Sensible Norwood v. Hamilton Cty. Bd. of Elections (Slip Opinion), 2016-Ohio-5919, 69 N.E.3d 696.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(D)(1)(a): 2 cases
State v. Gutierrez, 2025-Ohio-1884.
State v. Poulin, 2018-Ohio-4537.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.02(E): 1 case
State v. Willan, 2011-Ohio-6603.
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.