Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 2925
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14 (2026)

Illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia

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Effective:
September 30, 2025
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 96 - 136th General Assembly
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(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, unless division (D)(4) of this section applies to the testing equipment;

(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) Subject to divisions (D)(2), (3), and (4) of this section, 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)(1) 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., 4741., and 4772. 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.

(2) Division (C)(1) of this section does not apply to a person's use, or possession with purpose to use, any drug paraphernalia that is equipment, a product, or material of any kind that is used by the person, intended by the person for use, or designed for use in storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body marihuana.

(3) Division (B)(2) of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code applies with respect to a violation of division (C)(1) of this section when a person seeks or obtains medical assistance for another person who is experiencing a drug overdose, a person experiences a drug overdose and seeks medical assistance for that overdose, or a person is the subject of another person seeking or obtaining medical assistance for that overdose.

(4) Division (C)(1) of this section does not apply to a person's use, or possession with purpose to use, drug testing strips to determine the presence of fentanyl or a fentanyl-related compound or any other equipment, product, or material approved by the state board of pharmacy, in rules adopted under section 4729.261 of the Revised Code, as a type of instrument that demonstrates efficacy in reducing drug poisoning by determining the presence of a specific compound or group of compounds.

(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)(1) 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.

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

(2) 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 (G)(2) of this section, the sentencing court, in its discretion, may terminate the suspension.

Last updated August 4, 2025 at 3:45 PM

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 316 cases (84 in the last 5 years), 1983–2026 · leading case: State v. Griffin, 2013-Ohio-2230.
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State v. Griffin, 2013-Ohio-2230. · cites it 28× “Accordingly, Griffin maintains that he should have been sentenced under R.C. 2925.14 for a fourth degree misdemeanor, rather than R.”
State v. Pariag, 2013-Ohio-4010, 998 N.E.2d 401. · cites it 4× “11(C)(3), a minor misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of R.C. 2925.14(C)(1), a fourth-degree misdemeanor.”
State v. Kobi, 701 N.E.2d 420 (Ohio Ct. App. 6th Dist. 1997). · cites it 5× “Appellant contends that, if anything, the state proved the elements of R.C. 2925.14, possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.”
State v. Eppinger, 835 N.E.2d 746 (Ohio Ct. App. 8th Dist. 2005). · cites it 7× “Defendant maintained that the state was required to charge him with the specific offense of possessing drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor proscribed by R.C. 2925.14, rather than the general offense of drug possession.”
State v. Mitchell, 2014-Ohio-5070. · cites it 11× “Therefore, Mitchell asserts that he should have been convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of R.C. 2925.14, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, instead of possession of criminal tools, in violation of R.”
State v. Grubb, 2010-Ohio-1265, 930 N.E.2d 380. · cites it 4× “{¶2} In February 2009, Grubb was charged via complaint with one count of possession of drug paraphernalia in violation of R.C. 2925.14, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.”
State v. Gwen, 2012-Ohio-5046, 982 N.E.2d 626. · cites it 2× “The state charged Gwen with one count of domestic violence, in violation of R.”
State v. Singh, 2018-Ohio-3473. · cites it 3× “Pursuant to R.C. 2925.14(A)(13), “‘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 * * * ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body, a…”
State v. Voll, 2012-Ohio-3900. · cites it 3× “Voll (“Voll”) appeals the January 9, 2012, judgment of the Marysville Municipal Court in Union County, Ohio finding her guilty of possession of drug paraphernalia in violation of R.C. 2925.14(C)(1), a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.”
State v. Lynch, 599 N.E.2d 856 (Ohio Ct. App. 2d Dist. 1991). · cites it 9× “Lynch moved to dismiss the charge prior to trial, arguing that he should have been charged, if at all, under R.C. 2925.14, the drug paraphernalia statute.”
State v. Kelley, 903 N.E.2d 365 (Ohio Ct. App. 7th Dist. 2008). · cites it 4× “03(A)(1) and (C)(4)(a), trafficking in cocaine, a fifth-degree felony; R.C. 2925.14(A)(1), possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor; and R.”
State v. Ruby, 778 N.E.2d 101 (Ohio Ct. App. 2d Dist. 2002). · cites it 2× “11(A), possession of drug paraphernalia, R.C. 2925.14(C)(1), and theft, R.C. 2913.”
Show all 316 citing cases →
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(1): 1 case
State v. Speelman, 2023-Ohio-992.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(A): 11 cases
State v. Kobi, 701 N.E.2d 420 (Ohio Ct. App. 6th Dist. 1997). “Appellant contends that, if anything, the state proved the elements of R.C. 2925.14, possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.”
State v. Griffin, 2013-Ohio-2230. “Accordingly, Griffin maintains that he should have been sentenced under R.C. 2925.14 for a fourth degree misdemeanor, rather than R.”
State v. Mitchell, 2014-Ohio-5070. “Therefore, Mitchell asserts that he should have been convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of R.C. 2925.14, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, instead of possession of criminal tools, in violation of R.”
State v. Edwards, 2012-Ohio-901.
State v. Garcia, 2020-Ohio-3232.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(A)(1): 4 cases
State v. Kelley, 903 N.E.2d 365 (Ohio Ct. App. 7th Dist. 2008). “03(A)(1) and (C)(4)(a), trafficking in cocaine, a fifth-degree felony; R.C. 2925.14(A)(1), possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor; and R.”
State v. Griffin, 2013-Ohio-2230. “Accordingly, Griffin maintains that he should have been sentenced under R.C. 2925.14 for a fourth degree misdemeanor, rather than R.”
State v. Mitchell, 2014-Ohio-5070. “Therefore, Mitchell asserts that he should have been convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of R.C. 2925.14, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, instead of possession of criminal tools, in violation of R.”
Philman's, Inc. v. City of West Carrollton, 577 F. Supp. 1380 (S.D. Ohio 1983).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(A)(10): 3 cases
State v. Mee, 2017-Ohio-7343, 96 N.E.3d 1020.
State v. Boone, 670 N.E.2d 527 (Ohio Ct. App. 1st Dist. 1995).
State v. Kelley, 903 N.E.2d 365 (Ohio Ct. App. 7th Dist. 2008). “03(A)(1) and (C)(4)(a), trafficking in cocaine, a fifth-degree felony; R.C. 2925.14(A)(1), possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor; and R.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(A)(11): 3 cases
State v. Mitchell, 2014-Ohio-5070. “Therefore, Mitchell asserts that he should have been convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of R.C. 2925.14, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, instead of possession of criminal tools, in violation of R.”
State v. Dunn, 2017-Ohio-8618.
State v. Nave, 2020-Ohio-4850.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(A)(12): 5 cases
State v. Richard, 680 N.E.2d 667 (Ohio Ct. App. 7th Dist. 1996).
State v. Chaffins, 2014-Ohio-1969.
In Re Dengg, 724 N.E.2d 1255 (Ohio Ct. App. 11th Dist. 1999).
State v. Lorenzo, 2012-Ohio-3145.
State v. McCallister, 2014-Ohio-2041.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(A)(13): 4 cases
State v. Singh, 2018-Ohio-3473. “Pursuant to R.C. 2925.14(A)(13), “‘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 * * * ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body, a…”
State v. Kelley, 903 N.E.2d 365 (Ohio Ct. App. 7th Dist. 2008). “03(A)(1) and (C)(4)(a), trafficking in cocaine, a fifth-degree felony; R.C. 2925.14(A)(1), possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor; and R.”
State v. Sarvabui, 2020-Ohio-1429.
State v. Harris, 2011-Ohio-3190.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(A)(5): 1 case
State v. Glowacki, 723 N.E.2d 193 (Ohio Ct. App. 6th Dist. 1999).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(A)(6): 3 cases
State v. Edwards, 2012-Ohio-901.
State v. Mitchell, 2014-Ohio-5070. “Therefore, Mitchell asserts that he should have been convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of R.C. 2925.14, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, instead of possession of criminal tools, in violation of R.”
State v. Stewart, 2025-Ohio-879.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(A)(7): 1 case
State v. Lopez-Olmedo, 2022-Ohio-2817.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(A)(9): 5 cases
State v. C.A., 2015-Ohio-3437.
State v. Griffin, 2013-Ohio-2230. “Accordingly, Griffin maintains that he should have been sentenced under R.C. 2925.14 for a fourth degree misdemeanor, rather than R.”
State v. Daniels, 2020-Ohio-1176.
State v. C.A., 2014-Ohio-2621.
State v. Thompson, 2022-Ohio-3602.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(B): 1 case
Philman's, Inc. v. City of West Carrollton, 577 F. Supp. 1380 (S.D. Ohio 1983).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(B)(1): 1 case
State v. Dunn, 2017-Ohio-8618.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(B)(3): 1 case
State v. Norman, 2026-Ohio-2029.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(B)(4): 2 cases
State v. Lynch, 599 N.E.2d 856 (Ohio Ct. App. 2d Dist. 1991). “Lynch moved to dismiss the charge prior to trial, arguing that he should have been charged, if at all, under R.C. 2925.14, the drug paraphernalia statute.”
State v. Dunn, 2017-Ohio-8618.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(C): 12 cases
State v. Lammie, 2022-Ohio-419.
State v. Bing, 731 N.E.2d 266 (Ohio Ct. App. 9th Dist. 1999).
State v. Owens, 2020-Ohio-5573.
State v. Whitman, 2019-Ohio-2307.
State v. Brock, 2024-Ohio-1036, 239 N.E.3d 454.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(C)(1): 199 cases
State v. Pariag, 2013-Ohio-4010, 998 N.E.2d 401. “11(C)(3), a minor misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of R.C. 2925.14(C)(1), a fourth-degree misdemeanor.”
State v. Gwen, 2012-Ohio-5046, 982 N.E.2d 626. “The state charged Gwen with one count of domestic violence, in violation of R.”
State v. Voll, 2012-Ohio-3900. “Voll (“Voll”) appeals the January 9, 2012, judgment of the Marysville Municipal Court in Union County, Ohio finding her guilty of possession of drug paraphernalia in violation of R.C. 2925.14(C)(1), a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.”
State v. Ruby, 778 N.E.2d 101 (Ohio Ct. App. 2d Dist. 2002). “11(A), possession of drug paraphernalia, R.C. 2925.14(C)(1), and theft, R.C. 2913.”
State v. Brown, 2014-Ohio-1317.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(C)(1)(F)(1): 9 cases
State v. Ahmad, 2018-Ohio-3556.
State v. Ahmad, 2017-Ohio-6991.
State v. Hagen, 2018-Ohio-4045.
State v. Watson, 2021-Ohio-2549.
State v. Ahmad, 2021-Ohio-1418.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(C)(2): 4 cases
Papa Nick's Specialties, Inc. v. Harrod, 747 F. Supp. 1240 (N.D. Ohio 1990).
Amani Servs. Corp. v. Ohio Dep't of Com., Div. of Liquor Control, 738 N.E.2d 451 (Ohio Ct. App. 1st Dist. 2000).
State v. Glowacki, 723 N.E.2d 193 (Ohio Ct. App. 6th Dist. 1999).
N. Olmsted v. Ness, 2011-Ohio-3076.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(C)(I): 1 case
State v. Blevins, 2024-Ohio-2685.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(C)(l): 1 case
State v. Wright, 2024-Ohio-3142.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(E): 1 case
State v. Germany, 2014-Ohio-3202.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(F)(1): 4 cases
State v. Berry, 2018-Ohio-4791.
State v. Litteral, 2012-Ohio-5335.
State v. Bergk, 2022-Ohio-578.
State v. Mason, 2026-Ohio-2039.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(G)(5): 1 case
State v. Knox, 685 N.E.2d 304 (Ohio Ct. App. 8th Dist. 1996).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2925.14(H): 4 cases
State v. Smith, 682 N.E.2d 15 (Ohio Ct. App. 4th Dist. 1996).
State v. Burden, 681 N.E.2d 489 (Ohio Ct. App. 4th Dist. 1996).
State v. Smith, 665 N.E.2d 1108 (Ohio 1996).
State v. Smith, 76 Ohio St. 3d 25 (1996).
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.