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The Legislative Service Commission staff updates the Revised Code on an ongoing basis, as it completes its act review of enacted legislation. Updates may be slower during some times of the year, depending on the volume of enacted legislation.

Chapter 3719 | Controlled Substances

 
 
 
Section
Section 3719.01 | Controlled substances definitions.
 

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Administer" means the direct application of a drug, whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other means to a person or an animal.

(B) "Drug enforcement administration" means the drug enforcement administration of the United States department of justice or its successor agency.

(C) "Controlled substance" means a drug, compound, mixture, preparation, or substance included in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V.

(D) "Dangerous drug" has the same meaning as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Dispense" means to sell, leave with, give away, dispose of, or deliver.

(F) "Distribute" means to deal in, ship, transport, or deliver but does not include administering or dispensing a drug.

(G) "Drug" has the same meaning as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(H) "Drug abuse offense" and "felony drug abuse offense" have the same meanings as in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.

(I) "Federal drug abuse control laws" means the "Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970," 84 Stat. 1242, 21 U.S.C. 801, as amended.

(J) "Hospital" means a facility registered as a hospital with the department of health under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code.

(K) "Hypodermic" means a hypodermic syringe or needle, or other instrument or device for the injection of medication.

(L) "Manufacturer" means a person who manufactures a controlled substance, as "manufacture" is defined in section 3715.01 of the Revised Code, and includes a "manufacturer of dangerous drugs" as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(M) "Marihuana" means all parts of a plant of the genus cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds of a plant of that type; the resin extracted from a part of a plant of that type; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of a plant of that type or of its seeds or resin. "Marihuana" does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oils or cake made from the seeds of the plant, or any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks, except the resin extracted from the mature stalks, fiber, oil or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant that is incapable of germination. "Marihuana" does not include "hemp" or a "hemp product" as those terms are defined in section 928.01 of the Revised Code.

(N) "Narcotic drugs" means coca leaves, opium, isonipecaine, amidone, isoamidone, ketobemidone, as defined in this division, and every substance not chemically distinguished from them and every drug, other than cannabis, that may be included in the meaning of "narcotic drug" under the federal drug abuse control laws. As used in this division:

(1) "Coca leaves" includes cocaine and any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of coca leaves, except derivatives of coca leaves, that does not contain cocaine, ecgonine, or substances from which cocaine or ecgonine may be synthesized or made.

(2) "Isonipecaine" means any substance identified chemically as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, or any salt thereof, by whatever trade name designated.

(3) "Amidone" means any substance identified chemically as 4-4-diphenyl-6-dimethylamino-heptanone-3, or any salt thereof, by whatever trade name designated.

(4) "Isoamidone" means any substance identified chemically as 4-4-diphenyl-5-methyl-6-dimethylaminohexanone-3, or any salt thereof, by whatever trade name designated.

(5) "Ketobemidone" means any substance identified chemically as 4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-4-piperidyl ethyl ketone hydrochloride, or any salt thereof, by whatever trade name designated.

(6) "Cocaine" has the same meaning as in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.

(O) "Official written order" means an order written on a form provided for that purpose by the director of the United States drug enforcement administration, under any laws of the United States making provision for the order, if the order forms are authorized and required by federal law.

(P) "Person" means any individual, corporation, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, or other legal entity.

(Q) "Pharmacist" means a person licensed under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code to engage in the practice of pharmacy.

(R) "Pharmacy" has the same meaning as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(S) "Poison" means any drug, chemical, or preparation likely to be deleterious or destructive to adult human life in quantities of four grams or less.

(T) "Licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs," "prescriber," and "prescription" have the same meanings as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(U) "Sale" includes delivery, barter, exchange, transfer, or gift, or offer thereof, and each transaction of those natures made by any person, whether as principal, proprietor, agent, servant, or employee.

(V) "Schedule I," "schedule II," "schedule III," "schedule IV," and "schedule V" mean controlled substance schedules I, II, III, IV, and V, respectively, as established by rule adopted under section 3719.41 of the Revised Code, as amended pursuant to section 3719.43 or 3719.44 of the Revised Code, or as established by emergency rule adopted under section 3719.45 of the Revised Code.

(W) "Wholesaler" means a person who, on official written orders other than prescriptions, supplies controlled substances that the person has not manufactured, produced, or prepared personally and includes a "wholesale distributor of dangerous drugs" as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(X) "Animal shelter" means a facility operated by a humane society or any society organized under Chapter 1717. of the Revised Code or a dog pound operated pursuant to Chapter 955. of the Revised Code.

(Y) "Terminal distributor of dangerous drugs" has the same meaning as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(Z)(1) "Controlled substance analog" means, except as provided in division (Z)(2) of this section, a substance to which both of the following apply:

(a) The chemical structure of the substance is substantially similar to the structure of a controlled substance in schedule I or II.

(b) One of the following applies regarding the substance:

(i) The substance has a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than the stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system of a controlled substance in schedule I or II.

(ii) With respect to a particular person, that person represents or intends the substance to have a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than the stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system of a controlled substance in schedule I or II.

(2) "Controlled substance analog" does not include any of the following:

(a) A controlled substance;

(b) Any substance for which there is an approved new drug application;

(c) With respect to a particular person, any substance if an exemption is in effect for investigational use for that person pursuant to federal law to the extent that conduct with respect to that substance is pursuant to that exemption;

(d) Any substance to the extent it is not intended for human consumption before the exemption described in division (Z)(2)(b) of this section takes effect with respect to that substance.

(AA) "Benzodiazepine" means a controlled substance that has United States food and drug administration approved labeling indicating that it is a benzodiazepine, benzodiazepine derivative, triazolobenzodiazepine, or triazolobenzodiazepine derivative, including the following drugs and their varying salt forms or chemical congeners: alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride, clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, estazolam, flurazepam hydrochloride, lorazepam, midazolam, oxazepam, quazepam, temazepam, and triazolam.

(BB) "Opioid analgesic" means a controlled substance that has analgesic pharmacologic activity at the opioid receptors of the central nervous system, including the following drugs and their varying salt forms or chemical congeners: buprenorphine, butorphanol, codeine (including acetaminophen and other combination products), dihydrocodeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone (including acetaminophen combination products), hydromorphone, meperidine, methadone, morphine sulfate, oxycodone (including acetaminophen, aspirin, and other combination products), oxymorphone, tapentadol, and tramadol.

(CC) "Outsourcing facility," "repackager of dangerous drugs," and "third-party logistics provider" have the same meanings as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

Section 3719.011 | Controlled substances definitions for use in Revised Code.
 

As used in the Revised Code:

(A) "Drug of abuse" means any controlled substance as defined in section 3719.01 of the Revised Code, any harmful intoxicant as defined in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code, and any dangerous drug as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Person with a drug dependency" means any person who, by reason of the use of any drug of abuse, is physically, psychologically, or physically and psychologically dependent upon the use of such drug, to the detriment of the person's health or welfare.

(C) "Person in danger of becoming a person with a drug dependency" means any person who, by reason of the person's habitual or incontinent use of any drug of abuse, is in imminent danger of becoming a person with a drug dependency.

Last updated March 10, 2023 at 12:20 PM

Section 3719.012 | Minor may give consent to diagnosis or treatment of condition caused by drug or alcohol abuse.
 

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a minor may give consent for the diagnosis or treatment by a physician licensed to practice in this state of any condition which it is reasonable to believe is caused by a drug of abuse, beer, or intoxicating liquor. Such consent shall not be subject to disaffirmance because of minority.

(B) A physician licensed to practice in this state, or any person acting at his direction, who in good faith renders medical or surgical services to a minor giving consent under division (A) of this section, shall not be subject to any civil or criminal liability for assault, battery, or assault and battery.

(C) The parent or legal guardian of a minor giving consent under division (A) of this section is not liable for the payment of any charges made for medical or surgical services rendered such minor, unless the parent or legal guardian has also given consent for the diagnosis or treatment.

Section 3719.013 | Controlled substance analog.
 

Except as otherwise provided in section 2925.03 or 2925.11 of the Revised Code, a controlled substance analog, to the extent intended for human consumption, shall be treated for purposes of any provision of the Revised Code as a controlled substance in schedule I.

Section 3719.04 | Sale of controlled substances by category III licensees.
 

(A) A person identified in division (B)(1)(a) of section 4729.52 of the Revised Code who holds a category III license under that section may sell at wholesale controlled substances to any of the following persons and subject to the following conditions:

(1) To another person who holds a category III license issued under section 4729.52 of the Revised Code or to a terminal distributor of dangerous drugs with a category III license issued under section 4729.54 of the Revised Code;

(2) To a person in the employ of the United States government or of any state, territorial, district, county, municipal, or insular government, purchasing, receiving, possessing, or dispensing controlled substances by reason of official duties;

(3) To a master of a ship or a person in charge of any aircraft upon which no physician is regularly employed, for the actual medical needs of persons on board the ship or aircraft, when not in port; provided such controlled substances shall be sold to the master of the ship or person in charge of the aircraft only in pursuance of a special official written order approved by a commissioned medical officer or acting assistant surgeon of the United States public health service;

(4) To a person in a foreign country, if the federal drug abuse control laws are complied with.

(B) An official written order for any schedule II controlled substances shall comply with all requirements of the federal drug abuse control laws and rules adopted by the state board of pharmacy. Except as provided in section 3719.05 of the Revised Code or as otherwise specified in rules adopted by the board, each party engaged in the sale of schedule II controlled substances shall maintain all records relating to the order for a period of five years in such a way as to be readily accessible for inspection by any public officer or employee engaged in the enforcement of this chapter.

Section 3719.05 | Pharmacist may dispense controlled substances - prescriptions - sale of stock.
 

(A) A pharmacist may dispense controlled substances to any person upon a prescription issued in accordance with section 3719.06 of the Revised Code. When dispensing controlled substances, a pharmacist shall act in accordance with rules adopted by the state board of pharmacy and in accordance with the following:

(1) The prescription shall be retained on file by the owner of the pharmacy in which it is filled for a period of three years, so as to be readily accessible for inspection by any public officer or employee engaged in the enforcement of Chapter 2925., 3719., or 4729. of the Revised Code.

(2) Each oral prescription shall be recorded by the pharmacist and the record shall show the name and address of the patient for whom, or of the owner of the animal for which the controlled substance is dispensed, the full name, address, and registry number under the federal drug abuse control laws of the prescriber, the name of the controlled substance dispensed, the amount dispensed, and the date when dispensed. The record shall be retained on file by the owner of the pharmacy in which it is filled for a period of three years.

(3)(a) Except as provided in divisions (A)(3)(b) and (c) of this section, a schedule II controlled substance shall be dispensed only upon an electronic prescription.

(b) A schedule II controlled substance may be dispensed upon an oral prescription in emergency situations as provided in the federal drug abuse control laws.

(c) A schedule II controlled substance may be dispensed upon a written prescription if either of the following applies:

(i) A temporary technical, electrical, or broadband failure prevents the pharmacist from dispensing upon an electronic prescription.

(ii) The written prescription was issued as described in division (C) of section 3719.06 of the Revised Code.

(d) A pharmacist who receives a faxed, oral, or written prescription for a schedule II controlled substance is not required to verify that the prescription was issued under an exception to the requirement that a prescriber issue such a prescription electronically, including an exception described in divisions (A)(3)(b) and (c) of this section or division (C) of section 3719.06 of the Revised Code.

A pharmacist may continue to dispense any other drug upon an otherwise valid faxed, oral, or written prescription that is consistent with state and federal statutes, rules, and regulations.

(4) A prescription for a schedule II controlled substance shall not be refilled.

(5) Prescriptions for schedule III and IV controlled substances may be refilled not more than five times in a six-month period from the date the prescription is given by a prescriber.

(B) The legal owner of any stock of schedule II controlled substances in a pharmacy, upon discontinuance of dealing in those drugs, may sell the stock to a manufacturer, wholesaler, or owner of a pharmacy registered under the federal drug abuse control laws pursuant to an official written order.

Last updated July 11, 2022 at 9:06 AM

Section 3719.06 | Authority of licensed health professional.
 

(A)(1) A licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs, if acting in the course of professional practice, in accordance with the laws regulating the professional's practice, and in accordance with rules adopted by the state board of pharmacy, may, except as provided in division (A)(2) or (3) of this section, do the following:

(a) Prescribe schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances;

(b) Administer or personally furnish to patients schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances;

(c) Cause schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances to be administered under the prescriber's direction and supervision.

(2) A licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs who is a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner is subject to both of the following:

(a) A schedule II controlled substance may be prescribed only in accordance with division (C) of section 4723.481 of the Revised Code.

(b) No schedule II controlled substance shall be personally furnished to any patient.

(3) A licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs who is a physician assistant is subject to all of the following:

(a) A controlled substance may be prescribed or personally furnished only if it is included in the physician-delegated prescriptive authority granted to the physician assistant in accordance with Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code.

(b) A schedule II controlled substance may be prescribed only in accordance with division (B)(4) of section 4730.41 and section 4730.411 of the Revised Code.

(c) No schedule II controlled substance shall be personally furnished to any patient.

(B) No licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs shall prescribe, administer, or personally furnish a schedule III anabolic steroid for the purpose of human muscle building or enhancing human athletic performance and no pharmacist shall dispense a schedule III anabolic steroid for either purpose, unless it has been approved for that purpose under the "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act," 52 Stat. 1040 (1938), 21 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended.

(C) When issuing a prescription for a schedule II controlled substance, a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs shall do so only upon an electronic prescription, except that the prescriber may issue a written prescription if any of the following apply:

(1) A temporary technical, electrical, or broadband failure occurs preventing the prescriber from issuing an electronic prescription.

(2) The prescription is issued for a nursing home resident or hospice care patient.

(3) The prescriber is employed by or under contract with the same entity that operates the pharmacy.

(4) The prescriber determines that an electronic prescription cannot be issued in a timely manner and the patient's medical condition is at risk.

(5) The prescriber issues the prescription from a health care facility, which may include an emergency department, and reasonably determines that an electronic prescription would be impractical for the patient or would cause a delay that may adversely impact the patient's medical condition.

(6) The prescriber issues per year not more than fifty prescriptions for schedule II controlled substances.

(7) The prescriber is a veterinarian licensed under Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code.

(D) Each written or electronic prescription for a controlled substance shall be properly executed, dated, and signed by the prescriber on the day when issued and shall bear the full name and address of the person for whom, or the owner of the animal for which, the controlled substance is prescribed and the full name, address, and registry number under the federal drug abuse control laws of the prescriber. If the prescription is for an animal, it shall state the species of the animal for which the controlled substance is prescribed.

Last updated July 11, 2022 at 9:06 AM

Section 3719.061 | Prescription of opioids to minors.
 

(A)(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment" means an adult to whom a minor's parent or guardian has given written authorization to consent to the minor's medical treatment.

(b) "Emergency facility" means a hospital emergency department or any other facility that provides emergency care.

(c) "Medical emergency" means a situation that in a prescriber's good faith medical judgment creates an immediate threat of serious risk to the life or physical health of a minor.

(d) "Minor" means an individual under eighteen years of age who is not emancipated.

(2) For purposes of this section, an individual under eighteen years of age is emancipated only if the individual has married, has entered the armed services of the United States, has become employed and self-sustaining, or otherwise has become independent from the care and control of the individual's parent, guardian, or custodian.

(B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, before issuing for a minor the first prescription in a single course of treatment for an opioid analgesic, regardless of whether the dosage is modified during that course of treatment, a prescriber shall do all of the following:

(1) As part of the prescriber's examination of the minor, assess whether the minor has ever had, or currently has, mental health or substance abuse disorders and whether the minor has taken or is currently taking prescription drugs for treatment of those disorders;

(2) Discuss with the minor and the minor's parent, guardian, or another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment all of the following:

(a) The risks of addiction and overdose associated with opioid analgesics;

(b) The increased risk of addiction to controlled substances of individuals having both mental health and substance abuse disorders;

(c) The dangers of taking opioid analgesics with benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants;

(d) Any other information in the patient counseling information section of the labeling for the opioid analgesic required under 21 C.F.R. 201.57(c)(18).

(3) Obtain written consent for the prescription from the minor's parent, guardian, or, subject to division (E) of this section, another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment.

The prescriber shall record the consent on a form, which shall be known as the "Start Talking!" consent form. The form shall be separate from any other document the prescriber uses to obtain informed consent for other treatment provided to the minor. The form shall contain all of the following:

(a) The name and quantity of the opioid analgesic being prescribed and the amount of the initial dose;

(b) A statement indicating that a controlled substance is a drug or other substance that the United States drug enforcement administration has identified as having a potential for abuse;

(c) A statement certifying that the prescriber discussed with the minor and the minor's parent, guardian, or another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment the matters described in division (B)(2) of this section;

(d) The number of refills, if any, authorized by the prescription;

(e) The signature of the minor's parent, guardian, or another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment and the date of signing.

(C)(1) The requirements of division (B) of this section do not apply if the minor's treatment with an opioid analgesic meets any of the following criteria:

(a) The treatment is associated with or incident to a medical emergency.

(b) The treatment is associated with or incident to surgery, regardless of whether the surgery is performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

(c) In the prescriber's professional judgment, fulfilling the requirements of division (B) of this section with respect to the minor's treatment would be a detriment to the minor's health or safety.

(d) Except as provided in division (D) of this section, the treatment is rendered in a hospital, emergency facility, ambulatory surgical facility, nursing home, pediatric respite care program, pediatric transition care program, residential care facility, freestanding rehabilitation facility, or similar institutional facility.

(2) The requirements of division (B) of this section do not apply to a prescription for an opioid analgesic that a prescriber issues to a minor at the time of discharge from a facility or other location described in division (C)(1)(d) of this section.

(D) The exemption in division (C)(1)(d) of this section does not apply to treatment rendered in a prescriber's office that is located on the premises of or adjacent to a facility or other location described in that division.

(E) If the individual who signs the consent form required by division (B)(3) of this section is another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment, the prescriber shall prescribe not more than a single, seventy-two-hour supply and indicate on the prescription the quantity that is to be dispensed pursuant to the prescription.

(F) A signed "Start Talking!" consent form obtained under this section shall be maintained in the minor's medical record.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Last updated March 20, 2023 at 2:03 PM

Section 3719.062 | Adoption of rules by health-related licensing board regarding opioid analgesics.
 

As used in this section, "health-related licensing board" means a state board authorized to issue a license to engage in the practice of a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs.

A health-related licensing board may adopt rules limiting the amount of an opioid analgesic that may be prescribed pursuant to a single prescription by an individual licensed by the board. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Section 3719.063 | Liability for administration of naltrexone.
 

In the absence of gross negligence or intentional misconduct, a person who administers the drug naltrexone by injection, the person's employer, and the facility at which the drug is administered are not liable in any civil action or subject to criminal prosecution or professional discipline for any injury or damage caused by the injection or drug if all of the following conditions are met:

(A) The individual to whom the drug is administered is unable to have it administered as follows:

(1) By a person who routinely administers the drug to the individual;

(2) At the facility at which the drug is routinely administered to the individual;

(3) Under the direction of the drug's prescriber.

(B) The person who administers the drug under this section is legally authorized to administer it by injection but is not the prescriber of the drug or one who routinely administers it to the individual.

(C) The drug is provided to the person who administers it under this section in either of the following ways:

(1) By the individual to whom it is administered;

(2) By the pharmacy that has a record of a prescription for the drug in the name of the individual to whom it is administered.

(D) The person who administers the drug under this section is authorized to do so by that person's employer or the facility at which the drug is administered.

Section 3719.064 | Prerequisites for initiation of medication-assisted treatment.
 

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Medication-assisted treatment" has the same meaning as in section 340.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Prescriber" means any of the following:

(a) An advanced practice registered nurse who holds a current, valid license issued under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code and is designated as a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner;

(b) A physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery;

(c) A physician assistant who is licensed under Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code, holds a valid prescriber number issued by the state medical board, and has been granted physician-delegated prescriptive authority.

(3) "Qualifying practitioner" has the same meaning as in section 303(g)(2)(G)(iii) of the "Controlled Substances Act of 1970," 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(2)(G)(iii), as amended.

(B) Before initiating medication-assisted treatment, a prescriber shall give the patient or the patient's representative information about all drugs approved by the United States food and drug administration for use in medication-assisted treatment. The information must be provided both orally and in writing. The prescriber or the prescriber's delegate shall note in the patient's medical record when this information was provided and make the record available to employees of the board of nursing or state medical board on their request.

If the prescriber is not a qualifying practitioner and the patient's choice is opioid treatment and the prescriber determines that such treatment is clinically appropriate and meets generally accepted standards of medicine, the prescriber shall refer the patient to an opioid treatment program licensed under section 5119.37 of the Revised Code or a qualifying practitioner. The prescriber or the prescriber's delegate shall make a notation in the patient's medical record naming the program or practitioner to whom the patient was referred and specifying when the referral was made.

Section 3719.07 | Record of all controlled substances received, administered, dispensed, or used.
 

(A) As used in this section, "description" means the dosage form, strength, and quantity, and the brand name, if any, or the generic name, of a drug or controlled substance.

(B)(1) Every licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs shall keep a record of all controlled substances received and a record of all controlled substances administered, dispensed, or used other than by prescription. Every other person, except a pharmacist or a manufacturer, wholesaler, or other person licensed under section 4729.52 of the Revised Code, who is authorized to purchase and use controlled substances shall keep a record of all controlled substances purchased and used other than by prescription. The records shall be kept in accordance with division (C)(1) of this section.

(2) Manufacturers, wholesalers, and other persons licensed under section 4729.52 of the Revised Code shall keep records of all controlled substances compounded, mixed, cultivated, grown, or by any other process produced or prepared by them, and of all controlled substances received or sold by them. The records shall be kept in accordance with division (C)(2) of this section.

(3) Every terminal distributor of dangerous drugs with a category III license issued under section 4729.54 of the Revised Code shall keep records of all controlled substances received or sold. The records shall be kept in accordance with division (C)(3) of this section.

(4) Every person who sells or purchases for resale schedule V controlled substances exempted by section 3719.15 of the Revised Code shall keep a record showing the quantities and kinds thereof received or sold. The records shall be kept in accordance with divisions (C)(1), (2), and (3) of this section.

(C)(1) The records required by divisions (B)(1) and (4) of this section shall contain the following:

(a) The description of all controlled substances received, the name and address of the person from whom received, and the date of receipt;

(b) The description of controlled substances administered, dispensed, purchased, sold, or used; the date of administering, dispensing, purchasing, selling, or using; the name and address of the person to whom, or for whose use, or the owner and species of the animal for which the controlled substance was administered, dispensed, purchased, sold, or used.

(2) The records required by divisions (B)(2) and (4) of this section shall contain the following:

(a) The description of all controlled substances produced or prepared, the name and address of the person from whom received, and the date of receipt;

(b) The description of controlled substances sold, the name and address of each person to whom a controlled substance is sold, the amount of the controlled substance sold to each person, and the date it was sold.

(3) The records required by divisions (B)(3) and (4) of this section shall contain the following:

(a) The description of controlled substances received, the name and address of the person from whom controlled substances are received, and the date of receipt;

(b) The name and place of residence of each person to whom controlled substances, including those otherwise exempted by section 3719.15 of the Revised Code, are sold, the description of the controlled substances sold to each person, and the date the controlled substances are sold to each person.

(D) Every record required by this section shall be kept for a period of five years, unless otherwise specified in rules adopted by the state board of pharmacy.

The keeping of a record required by or under the federal drug abuse control laws, containing substantially the same information as specified in this section, constitutes compliance with this section.

Every person who purchases for resale or who sells controlled substance preparations exempted by section 3719.15 of the Revised Code shall keep the record required by or under the federal drug abuse control laws.

Section 3719.08 | Label required.
 

(A) As used in this division, "repackager" and "outsourcing facility" have the same meanings as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

Whenever a manufacturer sells a controlled substance, and whenever a wholesaler, repackager, or outsourcing facility sells a controlled substance in a package the wholesaler, repackager, or outsourcing facility has prepared, the manufacturer or the wholesaler, repackager, or outsourcing facility, as the case may be, shall securely affix to each package in which the controlled substance is contained a label showing in legible English the name and address of the vendor and the quantity, kind, and form of controlled substance contained therein. No person, except a pharmacist for the purpose of dispensing a controlled substance upon a prescription shall alter, deface, or remove any label so affixed.

(B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, when a pharmacist dispenses any controlled substance on a prescription for use by a patient, or supplies a controlled substance to a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs for use by the professional in personally furnishing patients with controlled substances, the pharmacist shall affix to the container in which the controlled substance is dispensed or supplied a label showing the following:

(1) The name and address of the pharmacy dispensing or supplying the controlled substance;

(2) The name of the patient for whom the controlled substance is prescribed and, if the patient is an animal, the name of the owner and the species of the animal;

(3) The name of the prescriber;

(4) All directions for use stated on the prescription or provided by the prescriber;

(5) The date on which the controlled substance was dispensed or supplied;

(6) The name, quantity, and strength of the controlled substance and, if applicable, the name of the distributor or manufacturer.

(C) The requirements of division (B) of this section do not apply when a controlled substance is prescribed or supplied for administration to an ultimate user who is institutionalized.

(D) A licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs who personally furnishes a controlled substance to a patient shall comply with division (A) of section 4729.291 of the Revised Code with respect to labeling and packaging of the controlled substance.

(E) No person shall alter, deface, or remove any label affixed pursuant to this section as long as any of the original contents remain.

(F) Every label for a schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance shall contain the following warning:

"Caution: federal law prohibits the transfer of this drug to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed."

Section 3719.09 | Authorized possession of controlled substances.
 

Possession or control of controlled substances is authorized in the following instances and subject to the following conditions:

(A) Possession of controlled substances in the course of business by a manufacturer, wholesaler, outsourcing facility, third-party logistics provider, repackager of dangerous drugs, licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs, pharmacist, terminal distributor of dangerous drugs with a category III license issued under section 4729.54 of the Revised Code, or other person authorized to possess controlled substances under this chapter or Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code;

(B) Possession by any person of any schedule V narcotic drug exempted under section 3719.15 of the Revised Code, where the quantity of the drug does not exceed one hundred thirty milligrams of opium, thirty-two and five-tenths milligrams of morphine or any of its salts, two hundred sixty milligrams of codeine or any of its salts, one hundred thirty milligrams of dihydrocodeine or any of its salts, or thirty-two and five-tenths milligrams of ethylmorphine or any of its salts, or, in the case of any other schedule V controlled substance or any combination of narcotic drugs, where the quantity does not exceed in pharmacologic potency any one of the drugs named above in the quantity stated;

(C) As used in this division, "deception" and "theft offense" have the same meanings as in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code.

Possession by any person of any controlled substance that the person obtained pursuant to a prescription issued by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs or that was obtained for the person pursuant to a prescription issued by a prescriber, when all of the following apply:

(1) The prescription is issued for a legitimate medical purpose;

(2) The prescription is not altered or forged and was not obtained through deception or commission of a theft offense;

(3) The drug is in a container regardless of whether the container is the original container in which the drug was dispensed to that person directly or indirectly by a pharmacist or personally furnished to that person by the prescriber.

(D) Possession in the course of business of combination drugs that contain pentobarbital and at least one noncontrolled substance active ingredient, in a manufactured dosage form, the only indication of which is for euthanizing animals, or other substance that the state veterinary medical licensing board and the state board of pharmacy both approve under division (A) of section 4729.532 of the Revised Code, by an agent or employee of an animal shelter who is authorized by the licensure of the animal shelter with the state board of pharmacy to purchase and possess the drug solely for use as specified in that section. As used in this division, "in the course of business" means possession or use at an establishment described in a license issued under section 4729.54 of the Revised Code, or outside that establishment when necessary because of a risk to the health or safety of any person, provided that the substance is in a quantity no greater than reasonably could be used to alleviate the risk, is in the original manufacturer's container, and is returned to the establishment as soon as possible after the risk has passed.

Section 3719.10 | Nuisance.
 

Premises or real estate, including vacant land, on which a felony violation of Chapter 2925. or 3719. of the Revised Code occurs constitute a nuisance subject to abatement pursuant to Chapter 3767. of the Revised Code.

Section 3719.11 | Controlled substances forfeited and destroyed.
 

All controlled substances, the lawful possession of which is not established or the title to which cannot be ascertained, that have come into the custody of a peace officer, shall be forfeited pursuant to Chapter 2981. of the Revised Code, and, unless any such section provides for a different manner of disposition, shall be disposed of as follows:

(A) The court or magistrate having jurisdiction shall order the controlled substances forfeited and destroyed. The agency served by the peace officer who obtained or took custody of the controlled substances may destroy them or may send them to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation for destruction by it. A record of the place where the controlled substances were seized, of the kinds and quantities of controlled substances so destroyed, and of the time, place, and manner of destruction, shall be kept, and a return under oath, reporting the destruction, shall be made by the officer who destroys them to the court or magistrate and to the United States director, bureau of narcotics and dangerous drugs.

(B) Upon written application by the department of health, the court or magistrate that ordered the forfeiture of the controlled substances may order the delivery of any of them, except heroin and its salts and derivatives, to the department for distribution or destruction as provided in this section.

(C) Upon application by any hospital within this state that is not operated for private gain, the department of health may deliver any controlled substances that have come into its custody pursuant to this section to the applicant for medicinal use. The department may deliver excess stocks of the controlled substances to the United States director, bureau of narcotics and dangerous drugs, or may destroy the excess stocks.

(D) The department of health shall keep a complete record of all controlled substances received pursuant to this section and of all controlled substances disposed of pursuant to this section, showing all of the following:

(1) The exact kinds, quantities, and forms of the controlled substances;

(2) The persons from whom they were received and to whom they were delivered;

(3) By whose authority they were received, delivered, or destroyed;

(4) The dates of their receipt, delivery, or destruction.

(E) The record required by this section shall be open to inspection by all federal and state officers charged with the enforcement of federal and state narcotic and drug abuse control laws.

Section 3719.12 | Prosecutor to report conviction to board that licensed, certified, or registered person.
 

As used in this section, "prosecutor" has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code.

Unless a report has been made pursuant to section 2929.42 of the Revised Code, on the conviction of a manufacturer, wholesaler, outsourcing facility, third-party logistics provider, repackager of dangerous drugs, terminal distributor of dangerous drugs, pharmacist, pharmacy intern, registered pharmacy technician, certified pharmacy technician, pharmacy technician trainee, dentist, chiropractor, physician, podiatrist, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, physician assistant, optometrist, or veterinarian of the violation of this chapter or Chapter 2925. of the Revised Code, the prosecutor in the case promptly shall report the conviction to the board that licensed, certified, or registered the person to practice or to carry on business. The responsible board shall provide forms to the prosecutor. Within thirty days of the receipt of this information, the board shall initiate action in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to determine whether to suspend or revoke the person's license, certificate, or registration.

Section 3719.121 | Suspending license, certificate, or registration of person addicted to or improperly distributing controlled substances.
 

(A) Except as otherwise provided in section 4723.28, 4723.35, 4730.25, 4731.22, 4734.39, or 4734.41 of the Revised Code, the license, certificate, or registration of any dentist, chiropractor, physician, podiatrist, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, physician assistant, pharmacist, pharmacy intern, pharmacy technician trainee, registered pharmacy technician, certified pharmacy technician, optometrist, or veterinarian who is or becomes addicted to the use of controlled substances shall be suspended by the board that authorized the person's license, certificate, or registration until the person offers satisfactory proof to the board that the person no longer is addicted to the use of controlled substances.

(B) If the board under which a person has been issued a license, certificate, or evidence of registration determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that continuation of the person's professional practice or method of administering, prescribing, preparing, distributing, dispensing, or personally furnishing controlled substances or other dangerous drugs presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to others, the board may suspend the person's license, certificate, or registration without a hearing. Except as otherwise provided in sections 4715.30, 4723.281, 4729.16, 4730.25, 4731.22, and 4734.36 of the Revised Code, the board shall follow the procedure for suspension without a prior hearing in section 119.07 of the Revised Code. The suspension shall remain in effect, unless removed by the board, until the board's final adjudication order becomes effective, except that if the board does not issue its final adjudication order within ninety days after the hearing, the suspension shall be void on the ninety-first day after the hearing.

(C) On receiving notification pursuant to section 2929.42 or 3719.12 of the Revised Code, the board under which a person has been issued a license, certificate, or evidence of registration immediately shall suspend the license, certificate, or registration of that person on a plea of guilty to, a finding by a jury or court of the person's guilt of, or conviction of a felony drug abuse offense; a finding by a court of the person's eligibility for intervention in lieu of conviction; a plea of guilty to, or a finding by a jury or court of the person's guilt of, or the person's conviction of an offense in another jurisdiction that is essentially the same as a felony drug abuse offense; or a finding by a court of the person's eligibility for treatment or intervention in lieu of conviction in another jurisdiction. The board shall notify the holder of the license, certificate, or registration of the suspension, which shall remain in effect until the board holds an adjudicatory hearing under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 3719.13 | Inspection of prescriptions, orders, records, and stock.
 

Prescriptions, orders, and records, required by Chapter 3719. of the Revised Code, and stocks of dangerous drugs and controlled substances, shall be open for inspection only to federal, state, county, and municipal officers, and employees of the state board of pharmacy whose duty it is to enforce the laws of this state or of the United States relating to controlled substances. Such prescriptions, orders, records, and stocks shall be open for inspection by employees of the state medical board for purposes of enforcing Chapters 4730. and 4731. of the Revised Code, employees of the board of nursing for purposes of enforcing Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code, and employees of the department of mental health and addiction services for purposes of section 5119.37 of the Revised Code. No person having knowledge of any such prescription, order, or record shall divulge such knowledge, except in connection with a prosecution or proceeding in court or before a licensing or registration board or officer, to which prosecution or proceeding the person to whom such prescriptions, orders, or records relate is a party.

Section 3719.14 | Exemptions.
 

(A) A common carrier or warehouse while engaged in lawfully transporting or storing any controlled substance or an employee of a common carrier or warehouse of that nature who is acting within the scope of the employee's employment may control and possess any controlled substance.

(B) Any law enforcement official may purchase, collect, or possess any controlled substance or may offer to sell any controlled substance, or any counterfeit controlled substance as defined in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code, when the purchase, collection, possession, or offer to sell is necessary to do so in the performance of the official's official duties. This division does not permit a law enforcement official to sell any controlled substance in the performance of the official's official duties. A peace officer, as defined in section 3719.141 of the Revised Code, may sell a controlled substance in the performance of the officer's official duties only as provided in that section.

(C) Any employee or agent of a person who is entitled to possession of a controlled substance or whose possession of a controlled substance is for the purpose of aiding any law enforcement official in the official's official duties temporarily may possess any controlled substance.

Section 3719.141 | Peace officer may sell controlled substance in performance of official duties.
 

(A) A peace officer may sell any controlled substance in the performance of the officer's official duties only if either of the following applies:

(1) A peace officer may sell any controlled substance in the performance of the officer's official duties if all of the following apply:

(a) Prior approval for the sale has been given by the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the sale takes place, in any manner described in division (B) of this section;

(b) The peace officer who makes the sale determines that the sale is necessary in the performance of the officer's official duties;

(c) Any of the following applies:

(i) The person to whom the sale is made or any other person who is involved in the sale does not know that the officer who makes the sale is a peace officer, and the peace officer who makes the sale determines that the sale is necessary to prevent the person from determining or suspecting that the officer who makes the sale is a peace officer.

(ii) The peace officer who makes the sale determines that the sale is necessary to preserve an identity that the peace officer who makes the sale has assumed in the performance of the officer's official duties.

(iii) The sale involves a controlled substance that, during the course of another sale, was intercepted by the peace officer who makes the sale or any other peace officer who serves the same agency served by the peace officer who makes the sale; the intended recipient of the controlled substance in the other sale does not know that the controlled substance has been so intercepted; the sale in question is made to the intended recipient of the controlled substance in the other sale and is undertaken with the intent of obtaining evidence of a drug abuse offense against the intended recipient of the controlled substance; and the sale in question does not involve the transfer of any money or other thing of value to the peace officer who makes the sale or any other peace officer who serves the same agency served by the peace officer who makes the sale in exchange for the controlled substance.

(d) If the sale is made under the circumstances described in division (A)(1)(c)(i) or (ii) of this section, no person is charged with any criminal offense or any delinquent act based upon the sale unless both of the following apply:

(i) The person also is charged with a criminal offense or a delinquent act that is based upon an act or omission that is independent of the sale but that either is connected together with the sale, or constitutes a part of a common scheme or plan with the sale, or is part of a course of criminal conduct involving the sale.

(ii) The criminal offense or delinquent act based upon the sale and the other criminal offense or delinquent act are charged in the same indictment, information, or complaint.

(e) The sale is not part of a continuing course of conduct involving the sale of controlled substances by the peace officer who makes the sale.

(f) The amount of the controlled substance sold and the scope of the sale of the controlled substance is as limited as possible under the circumstances.

(g) Prior to the sale, the law enforcement agency served by the peace officer who makes the sale has adopted a written internal control policy that does all of the following:

(i) Addresses the keeping of detailed records as to the amount of money or other things of value obtained in the sale in exchange for the controlled substance;

(ii) Addresses the delivery of all moneys or things of value so obtained to the prosecuting attorney pursuant to division (D) of this section;

(iii) Addresses the agency's use and disposition of all such moneys or things of value that are deposited in the law enforcement trust fund of the sheriff, municipal corporation, or township, pursuant to division (D) of this section, and that are used by the sheriff, are allocated to the police department of the municipal corporation by its legislative authority, or are allocated by the board of township trustees to the township police department, township or joint police district police force, or office of the constable;

(iv) Provides for the keeping of detailed financial records of the receipts of the proceeds, the general types of expenditures made out of the proceeds received, and the specific amount of each general type of expenditure. The policy shall not provide for or permit the identification of any peace officer involved in the sale, any information that is or may be needed in an ongoing investigation, or any specific expenditure that is made in an ongoing investigation.

(2) A peace officer may sell any controlled substance in the performance of the officer's official duties if all of the following apply:

(a) Prior approval for the sale has been given by the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the sale takes place, in any manner described in division (B) of this section;

(b) Prior to the sale, the law enforcement agency served by the peace officer has adopted a written internal control policy that does the things listed in divisions (A)(1)(g)(i) to (iv) of this section;

(c) The purchaser of the controlled substance acquires possession of it in the presence of the peace officer who makes the sale.

(d) Upon the consummation of the sale, either of the following occurs:

(i) The peace officer arrests the purchaser of the controlled substance, recovers it and the proceeds of the sale, and secures it and the proceeds as evidence to be used in a subsequent prosecution.

(ii) The peace officer makes a reasonable, good faith effort to arrest the purchaser of the controlled substance and to recover the controlled substance and the proceeds of the sale, but the officer is unable to make the arrest and recover all of the controlled substance and proceeds for reasons beyond the officer's control, and the peace officer secures all of the controlled substance recovered and all of the proceeds recovered as evidence to be used in a subsequent prosecution.

(B) The approval of a prosecuting attorney required by division (A)(1)(a) or (2)(a) of this section may be in either of the following forms:

(1) A general approval that is given by the prosecuting attorney to the peace officer who makes the sale or to the law enforcement agency served by that peace officer, that grants approval only to that peace officer, and that grants approval for any such sale that may be necessary, after the approval has been granted, under the standards described in division (A)(1) or (2) of this section;

(2) A specific approval that is given by the prosecuting attorney to the peace officer who makes the sale or to the law enforcement agency served by that peace officer, and that grants approval only to that peace officer and only for the particular sale in question, under the standards described in division (A)(1) or (2) of this section.

(C) If a peace officer sells a controlled substance in the performance of the officer's official duties under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section, the peace officer, within a reasonable time after the sale, shall provide the prosecuting attorney who granted approval for the sale with a written summary that identifies the amount and type of controlled substance sold, the circumstances of the sale, and the amount of any money or other thing of value obtained in the sale in exchange for the controlled substance. The summary shall not identify or enable the identification of any peace officer involved in the sale and shall not contain any information that is or may be needed in an ongoing investigation.

(D)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, if a peace officer sells a controlled substance in the performance of the officer's official duties under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section, the peace officer, as soon as possible after the sale, shall deliver all money or other things of value obtained in the sale in exchange for the controlled substance to the prosecuting attorney who granted approval for the sale. The prosecuting attorney shall safely keep all money and other things of value the prosecuting attorney receives under this division for use as evidence in any criminal action or delinquency proceeding based upon the sale. All money so received by a prosecuting attorney that no longer is needed as evidence in any criminal action or delinquency proceeding shall be deposited by the prosecuting attorney in the law enforcement trust fund of the sheriff if the peace officer who made the sale is the sheriff or a deputy sheriff or the law enforcement trust fund of a municipal corporation or township if it is served by the peace officer who made the sale, as established pursuant to section 2981.13 of the Revised Code, and upon deposit shall be expended only as provided in that section. All other things of value so received by a prosecuting attorney that no longer are needed as evidence in any criminal action or delinquency proceeding shall be disposed of, without appraisal, at a public auction to the highest bidder for cash; the proceeds of the sale shall be deposited by the prosecuting attorney in the law enforcement trust fund of the sheriff if the peace officer who made the sale is the sheriff or a deputy sheriff or the law enforcement trust fund of a municipal corporation or township if it is served by the peace officer who made the sale, as established pursuant to section 2981.13 of the Revised Code, and upon deposit shall be expended only as provided in that section. Each law enforcement agency that uses any money that was deposited in a law enforcement trust fund pursuant to this division shall comply with the written internal control policy adopted by the agency, as required by division (A)(1)(g) or (2)(b) of this section, in its use of the money.

(2) Division (D)(1) of this section does not apply in relation to a peace officer who sells a controlled substance in the performance of the officer's official duties under division (A)(1) of this section in any of the following circumstances:

(a) The person to whom the sale is made or any other person who is involved in the sale does not know that the officer is a peace officer, and, if the officer were to retain and deliver the money or other things of value to the prosecuting attorney, the person would determine or suspect that the officer is a peace officer.

(b) If the officer were to retain and deliver the money or other things of value to the prosecuting attorney, an identity that has been assumed in the performance of the officer's official duties would not be preserved.

(c) The sale is made under the circumstances described in division (A)(1)(c)(iii) of this section.

(3) If division (D)(1) of this section does not apply in relation to a peace officer who sells a controlled substance in the performance of the officer's official duties under division (A)(1) of this section due to the operation of division (D)(2) of this section, the peace officer, as soon as possible after the sale, shall deliver to the prosecuting attorney who granted approval for the sale a written summary that describes the circumstances of the sale and the reason for which division (D)(1) of this section does not apply. The summary shall not identify or enable the identification of any peace officer involved in the sale and shall not contain any information that is or may be needed in an ongoing investigation.

(E)(1) A written internal control policy adopted by a law enforcement agency that is served by a peace officer who sells a controlled substance under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section, as required by division (A)(1)(g) or (2)(b) of this section, is a public record open for inspection under section 149.43 of the Revised Code. Each law enforcement agency that adopts a written internal control policy of that nature shall comply with it in relation to any sale of a controlled substance under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section. All records as to the amount of money or things of value obtained in the sale of a controlled substance, in exchange for the controlled substance, and all financial records of the receipts of the proceeds, the general types of expenditures made out of the proceeds received, and the specific amounts of each general type of expenditure by a law enforcement agency in relation to any sale of a controlled substance under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section are public records open for inspection under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(2) A summary required by division (C) or (D)(3) of this section is a public record open for inspection under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(F)(1) Each prosecuting attorney who grants approval for a sale of controlled substances by a peace officer and who receives in any calendar year one or more summaries under division (C) of this section relative to the sale of a controlled substance by a peace officer shall prepare a report covering the calendar year that cumulates all of the information contained in each of the summaries so received in the calendar year and shall send the cumulative report, no later than the first day of March in the calendar year following the calendar year covered by the report, to the attorney general.

(2) Each prosecuting attorney who receives any money or any other thing of value under division (D)(1) of this section shall keep detailed financial records of the receipts and dispositions of all such moneys or things of value so received. No record of that nature shall identify, or enable the identification of, any person from whom money or another thing of value was received as a result of the sale of a controlled substance under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section or contain any information that is or may be needed in an ongoing investigation. Each record of that nature is a public record open for inspection under section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following information:

(a) The identity of each law enforcement agency that has so delivered any money or other thing of value to the prosecuting attorney;

(b) The total amount of money or other things of value so received from each law enforcement agency;

(c) The disposition made under this section of all money or other things of value so received.

(G) Divisions (A) to (F) of this section do not apply to any peace officer, or to any officer, agent, or employee of the United States, who is operating under the management and direction of the United States department of justice. Any peace officer, or any officer, agent, or employee of the United States, who is operating under the management and direction of the United States department of justice may sell a controlled substance in the performance of the officer's, agent's, or employee's official duties if the sale is made in accordance with federal statutes and regulations.

(H) As used in this section, "peace officer" has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code and also includes a special agent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation.

Section 3719.15 | Exceptions.
 

This chapter and Chapter 2925. of the Revised Code shall not apply, except as specifically provided otherwise in those chapters, to the following cases:

(A) Where a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs administers or personally furnishes, or where a pharmacist sells at retail, any medicinal preparation that contains in thirty milliliters, or if a solid or semisolid preparation, in thirty grams, of any of the following:

(1) Not more than one hundred thirty milligrams of opium;

(2) Not more than sixteen and twenty-five one hundreths milligrams of morphine or of any of its salts;

(3) Not more than sixty-five milligrams of codeine or of any of its salts;

(4) Not more than thirty-two and five-tenths milligrams of dihydrocodeine or any of its salts;

(5) Not more than sixteen and twenty-five one hundreths milligrams of ethylmorphine or any of its salts.

Each preparation specified in divisions (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) of this section shall in addition contain one or more non-narcotic active medicinal ingredients in sufficient proportion to confer upon the preparation valuable medicinal qualities other than those possessed by the narcotic drug alone.

(6) Pharmaceutical preparations in solid form containing not more than two and five-tenths milligrams diphenoxylate and not less than twenty-five micrograms atropine sulfate per dosage unit.

(B) Where a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs administers or personally furnishes, or where a pharmacist sells at retail, liniments, ointments, and other preparations, that are susceptible of external use only and that contain narcotic drugs in a combination that prevents the drugs from being readily extracted from the liniments, ointments, or preparations, except that this chapter and Chapter 2925. of the Revised Code shall apply to all liniments, ointments, and other preparations that contain coca leaves in any quantity or combination.

The medicinal preparation, or the liniment, ointment, or other preparation susceptible of external use only, prescribed, personally furnished, administered, dispensed, or sold, shall contain, in addition to the narcotic drug in it, some drug or drugs conferring upon it medicinal qualities other than those possessed by the narcotic drug alone. The preparation shall be prescribed, personally furnished, administered, compounded, dispensed, and sold in good faith as a medicine, and not for the purpose of evading this chapter or Chapter 2925. of the Revised Code.

Section 3719.16 | Dispensing of excepted substances.
 

No person shall dispense or sell, under the exemptions of section 3719.15 of the Revised Code to any one person, or for the use of any one person or animal, any preparation included within such section, when he knows, or can by reasonable diligence ascertain, that such dispensing or selling will provide the person to whom or for whose use, or the owner of the animal for the use of which, such preparation is dispensed or sold, within any forty-eight consecutive hours, with more than two grains of opium, or more than one-half of a grain of morphine or any of its salts, or more than four grains of codeine or any of its salts, or more than two grains of dihydrocodeine or any of its salts, or more than one-half grain of ethylmorphine or any of its salts, or will provide such person or the owner of such animal, within forty-eight consecutive hours, with more than one preparation exempted by the provisions of section 3719.15 of the Revised Code.

No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain, under the exemptions of section 3719.15 of the Revised Code, more than one preparation exempted by the provisions of that section within forty-eight consecutive hours.

Section 3719.161 | Prohibition against altering substance to increase concentration.
 

No person shall alter any controlled substance from the original compounded form by evaporation or other means to increase the concentration of narcotic drug contained therein. Altered preparations having a greater concentration of schedule V narcotic drug content than specified under provisions of section 3719.15 of the Revised Code, shall be classified as a schedule III narcotic drug.

Section 3719.172 | Possession or sale of hypodermics.
 

(A) Possession of a hypodermic is authorized for the following:

(1) A manufacturer or distributor of, or dealer in, hypodermics or medication packaged in hypodermics, and any authorized agent or employee of that manufacturer, distributor, or dealer, in the regular course of business;

(2) A terminal distributor of dangerous drugs, in the regular course of business;

(3) A person authorized to administer injections, in the regular course of the person's profession or employment;

(4) A person, when the hypodermic was lawfully obtained and is kept and used for the purpose of self-administration of insulin or other drug prescribed for the treatment of disease by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs;

(5) A person whose use of a hypodermic is for legal research, clinical, educational, or medicinal purposes;

(6) A farmer, for the lawful administration of a drug to an animal;

(7) A person whose use of a hypodermic is for lawful professional, mechanical, trade, or craft purposes.

(B) No manufacturer or distributor of, or dealer in, hypodermics or medication packaged in hypodermics, or their authorized agents or employees, and no terminal distributor of dangerous drugs, shall display any hypodermic for sale. No person authorized to possess a hypodermic pursuant to division (A) of this section shall negligently fail to take reasonable precautions to prevent any hypodermic in the person's possession from theft or acquisition by any unauthorized person.

(C) No person other than one of the following shall sell or furnish a hypodermic to another person:

(1) A manufacturer or distributor of, or dealer in, hypodermics or medication packaged in hypodermics, or their authorized agents or employees;

(2) A terminal distributor of dangerous drugs;

(3) A person under the direct supervision of a pharmacist;

(4) A licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs, acting in the regular course of business and as permitted by law;

(5) An individual who holds a current license, certificate, or registration issued under Title 47 of the Revised Code and has been certified to conduct diabetes education by a national certifying body specified in rules adopted by the state board of pharmacy under section 4729.68 of the Revised Code, but only if diabetes education is within the individual's scope of practice under statutes and rules regulating the individual's profession.

(D) No person shall sell or furnish a hypodermic to another whom the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe is not authorized by division (A) of this section to possess a hypodermic.

Section 3719.18 | Enforcement officers - co-operation with agencies.
 

(A) The state board of pharmacy, its officers, agents, inspectors, and representatives, and all officers within the state, and all prosecuting attorneys, shall enforce Chapters 2925. and 3719. of the Revised Code, except those specifically delegated, and cooperate with all agencies charged with the enforcement of the laws of the United States, of this state, and of all other states, relating to controlled substances.

(B) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require the state board of pharmacy to enforce minor violations of Chapters 2925. and 3719. of the Revised Code if the board determines that the public interest is adequately served by a notice or warning to the alleged offender.

Section 3719.19 | Persons not subject to prosecution.
 

No person shall be prosecuted for a violation of this chapter if the person has been acquitted or convicted under the federal drug abuse control laws of the same act or omission which, it is alleged, constitutes a violation of this chapter.

Section 3719.21 | Disposition of fines and forfeited bail.
 

Except as provided in division (C) of section 2923.42, division (B) of section 2923.44, divisions (D)(1), (F), and (H) of section 2925.03, division (D)(1) of section 2925.02, 2925.04, or 2925.05, division (E)(1) of section 2925.11, division (E) of section 2925.13, division (F) of section 2925.36, division (D) of section 2925.22, division (H) of section 2925.23, division (M) of section 2925.37, division (B) of section 2925.42, division (B) of section 2929.18, division (D) of section 3719.99, division (B)(1) of section 4729.65, division (E)(3) of section 4729.99, and division (I)(3) of section 4729.99 of the Revised Code, the clerk of the court shall pay all fines or forfeited bail assessed and collected under prosecutions or prosecutions commenced for violations of this chapter, section 2923.42 of the Revised Code, or Chapter 2925. of the Revised Code, within thirty days, to the executive director of the state board of pharmacy, and the executive director shall deposit the fines into the state treasury to the credit of the occupational licensing and regulatory fund.

Last updated December 21, 2023 at 2:19 PM

Section 3719.27 | Inspection and checking of files and records.
 

(A) Persons required by Chapter 3719. of the Revised Code to keep files or records shall, upon the written request of an officer or employee designated by the state board of pharmacy, make such files or records available to such officer or employee, at all reasonable hours, for inspection and copying, and accord to such officer or employee full opportunity to check the correctness of such files or records, including opportunity to make inventory of all stocks of controlled substances on hand. No person shall fail to make such files or records available or to accord such opportunity to check their correctness.

(B) Persons required by Chapter 3719. of the Revised Code to keep files or records shall, upon the written request of an employee designated by the director of mental health and addiction services, make such files or records available to the employee for the purpose of section 5119.37 of the Revised Code, at all reasonable hours, for inspection and copying, and accord to such employee full opportunity to check the correctness of such files or records. No person shall fail to make such files or records available or to accord such opportunity to check their correctness.

Section 3719.28 | Rules for administration and enforcement.
 

(A) The state board of pharmacy, pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt rules for administration and enforcement of Chapter 3719. of the Revised Code and prescribing the manner of keeping and the form and content of records to be kept by persons authorized to manufacture, distribute, dispense, conduct research in, prescribe, administer, or otherwise deal with controlled substances. Such rules shall be designed to:

(1) Facilitate surveillance of traffic in drugs, to prevent the improper acquisition or use of controlled substances or their diversion into illicit channels;

(2) Aid the state board of pharmacy and state, local, and federal law enforcement officers in enforcing the laws of this state and the federal government dealing with drug abuse and control of drug traffic.

(B) Rules adopted pursuant to this section shall not provide any less stringent requirements with respect to records than the requirements of the federal drug abuse control laws and regulations adopted thereunder. To the extent that records kept under the federal drug abuse control laws and regulations adopted thereunder fulfill requirements for similar records under rules adopted pursuant to this section, compliance with the federal law and regulations shall constitute compliance with the law and rules of this state with respect to such records.

Section 3719.30 | Prohibition against leaving or depositing dangerous drug or poison on thoroughfares.
 

No person shall leave or deposit dangerous drugs, poisons, or substances containing dangerous drugs or poisons in a common, street, alley, lane, or thoroughfare, or a yard or enclosure occupied by another.

Whoever violates this section shall be liable to the person injured for all damages sustained as a result of leaving or depositing the dangerous drugs, poisons, or other substances.

Section 3719.31 | Prohibition against careless distribution of samples containing drug or poison.
 

No person shall leave, throw, or deposit upon the doorstep or premises owned or occupied by another, or hand, give, or deliver to any person, except in a place where it is kept for sale, a patent or proprietary medicine, preparation, pill, tablet, powder, cosmetic, disinfectant, or antiseptic, or a drug or medicine that contains poison or any ingredient that is deleterious to health, as a sample or for the purpose of advertising.

As used in this section "drug," "medicine," "patent or proprietary medicine," "pill," "tablet," "powder," "cosmetic," "disinfectant," or "antiseptic" includes all remedies for internal or external use.

Section 3719.32 | Regulating the sale of poisons.
 

No person shall knowingly sell or deliver to any person otherwise than in the manner prescribed by laws, or sell or deliver to a minor under sixteen years of age in the manner prescribed by law but without the written order of an adult, any of the following substances or any poisonous compounds, combinations, or preparations thereof: the compounds and salts of antimony, arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc; the concentrated mineral acids; oxalic and hydrocyanic acids and their salts, and carbolic acid; yellow phosphorus; the essential oils of almonds, pennyroyal, tansy, and savin, croton oil, creosote, chloroform, chloral hydrate, and cantharides; aconite, belladonna, bitter almonds, colchicum, cotton root, cocculus indicus, conium, digitalis, hyoscyamus, ignatia, lobelia, nux vomica, opium, physostigma, phytolacca, strophanthus, stramonium, veratum viride, or any of the poisonous alkaloids or alkaloidal salts or other poisonous principles derived from such alkaloids, or other poisonous alkaloids or their salts; or other virulent poison.

Section 3719.33 | Labeling poisons.
 

No person shall sell or deliver to another a substance named in section 3719.32 of the Revised Code without having first learned by due inquiry that such person is aware of the poisonous character of such substance and that it is desired for a lawful purpose; or without plainly labeling "poison," and the names of two or more antidotes therefor, upon the box, bottle, or package containing it; or deliver such substance without recording in a book kept for the purpose, the name thereof, the quantity delivered, the purpose for which it is alleged to be used, the date of its delivery, the name and address of the purchaser, and the name of the dispenser; or fail to preserve said book for five years and submit it at all times for inspection to proper officers of the law.

Section 3719.34 | Provisions inapplicable.
 

Sections 3719.32 and 3719.33 of the Revised Code do not apply to substances sold or delivered upon the order or prescription of a person believed by the seller or deliverer to be a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs.

Section 3719.35 | Labeling and recording of delivery provisions exceptions.
 

It is not necessary to place a poison label upon, nor record the delivery of, any of the following:

(A) Preparations containing substances named in section 3719.32 of the Revised Code when a single box, bottle, or other package of the bulk of fifteen milliliters or the weight of fifteen grams does not contain more than one adult medicinal dose of any of those substances;

(B) The sulphide of antimony, the oxide or carbonate of zinc, or colors ground in oil and intended for use as paints;

(C) Preparations recommended in good faith for diarrhea or cholera, when each bottle or package is accompanied by specific directions for use and a caution against the habitual use of the preparations;

(D) Liniments or ointments when plainly labeled "for external use only";

(E) Preparations put up and sold in the form of pills, tablets, or lozenges and intended for internal use, when the dose recommended does not contain more than one fourth of an adult medicinal dose of any of the substances named in section 3719.35 of the Revised Code.

Section 3719.36 | Board of pharmacy to enforce poison laws.
 

The state board of pharmacy shall enforce sections 3719.30 to 3719.35 of the Revised Code. If the board has information that any of those sections has been violated, it shall investigate, and upon probable cause appearing, shall file a complaint and prosecute the offender.

Fines assessed and collected under prosecutions commenced by the board shall be paid to the executive director of the state board of pharmacy, and by the executive director paid into the state treasury to the credit of the board of pharmacy drug law enforcement fund created by section 4729.65 of the Revised Code.

Section 3719.40 | Controlled substances included in schedules by designated name.
 

The controlled substances included or to be included in the schedules established by rule adopted under section 3719.41 or 3719.45 of the Revised Code are included by whatever official, common, usual, chemical, or trade name designated.

Section 3719.41 | Controlled substance schedules.
 

(A) For purposes of administration, enforcement, and regulation of the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, and possession of controlled substances, the state board of pharmacy shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing schedule I, schedule II, schedule III, schedule IV, and schedule V incorporating the five schedules of controlled substances under the federal drug abuse control laws.

The board may include in the schedules any compound, mixture, preparation, or substance that was included in the schedules immediately prior to March 22, 2020, as long as the inclusion does not have the effect of providing less stringent control of the compound, mixture, preparation, or substance than is provided under the federal drug abuse control laws or regulations adopted under those laws.

(B) Except as provided in section 3719.45 of the Revised Code, the board periodically shall update the schedules by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to correspond to any change in the federal drug abuse control laws or regulations adopted under those laws, any addition, transfer, or removal by congress or the attorney general of the United States as described in section 3719.43 of the Revised Code, and any addition, transfer, or removal by the board by rule adopted under section 3719.44 of the Revised Code.

(C) Notwithstanding divisions (A) and (B) of this section, the board shall not adopt rules including hemp or a hemp product in a schedule as a controlled substance.

(D) As used in this section, "hemp" and "hemp product" have the same meanings as in section 928.01 of the Revised Code.

Section 3719.42 | State pharmacy board to meet annually.
 

The state board of pharmacy shall meet in Columbus at least once each fiscal year for the purpose of carrying out its duties under this chapter.

Section 3719.43 | Effect of U.S. attorney general addition, transfer, or removal of substance from schedule.
 

When congress or, pursuant to the federal drug abuse control laws, the attorney general of the United States adds a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance to a schedule of the federal drug abuse control laws, transfers any of the same between one schedule of the federal drug abuse control laws to another, or removes a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance from the schedules of the federal drug abuse control laws, then such addition, transfer, or removal is automatically effected in the corresponding schedule or schedules established by rule adopted under section 3719.41 of the Revised Code, subject to amendment pursuant to section 3719.44 of the Revised Code.

The state board of pharmacy shall incorporate the addition, transfer, or removal into or from the schedules in its next update of the schedules under section 3719.41 of the Revised Code.

Section 3719.44 | Board of pharmacy authority to change schedules.
 

(A) Pursuant to this section, and by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the state board of pharmacy may do any of the following with respect to schedules I, II, III, IV, and V established by rule adopted under section 3719.41 of the Revised Code:

(1) Add a previously unscheduled compound, mixture, preparation, or substance to any schedule;

(2) Transfer a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance from one schedule to another, provided the transfer does not have the effect under this chapter of providing less stringent control of the compound, mixture, preparation, or substance than is provided under the federal drug abuse control laws;

(3) Remove a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance from the schedules where the board had previously added the compound, mixture, preparation, or substance to the schedules, provided that the removal shall not have the effect under this chapter of providing less stringent control of the compound, mixture, preparation, or substance than is provided under the federal drug abuse control laws.

(B) In making a determination to add, remove, or transfer pursuant to division (A) of this section, the board shall consider the following:

(1) The actual or relative potential for abuse;

(2) The scientific evidence of the pharmacological effect of the substance, if known;

(3) The state of current scientific knowledge regarding the substance;

(4) The history and current pattern of abuse;

(5) The scope, duration, and significance of abuse;

(6) The risk to the public health;

(7) The potential of the substance to produce psychic or physiological dependence liability;

(8) Whether the substance is an immediate precursor.

(C) The board may add or transfer a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance to schedule I when it appears that there is a high potential for abuse, that it has no accepted medical use in treatment in this state, or that it lacks accepted safety for use in treatment under medical supervision.

(D) The board may add or transfer a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance to schedule II when it appears that there is a high potential for abuse, that it has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in this state, or currently accepted medical use in treatment with severe restrictions, and that its abuse may lead to severe physical or severe psychological dependence.

(E) The board may add or transfer a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance to schedule III when it appears that there is a potential for abuse less than the substances included in schedules I and II, that it has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in this state, and that its abuse may lead to moderate or low physical or high psychological dependence.

(F) The board may add or transfer a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance to schedule IV when it appears that it has a low potential for abuse relative to substances included in schedule III, that it has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in this state, and that its abuse may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to the substances included in schedule III.

(G) The board may add or transfer a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance to schedule V when it appears that it has lower potential for abuse than substances included in schedule IV, that it has currently accepted medical use in treatment in this state, and that its abuse may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to substances included in schedule IV.

(H) Even though a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance does not otherwise meet the criteria in this section for adding or transferring it to a schedule, the board may nevertheless add or transfer it to a schedule as an immediate precursor when all of the following apply:

(1) It is the principal compound used, or produced primarily for use, in the manufacture of a controlled substance.

(2) It is an immediate chemical intermediary used or likely to be used in the manufacture of such a controlled substance.

(3) Its control is necessary to prevent, curtail, or limit the manufacture of the scheduled compound, mixture, preparation, or substance of which it is the immediate precursor.

(I) Authority to control under this section does not extend to distilled spirits, wine, or beer, as those terms are defined or used in Chapter 4301. of the Revised Code.

(J) Authority to control under this section does not extend to any nonnarcotic substance if the substance may, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the laws of this state, be lawfully sold over the counter without a prescription. If a pattern of abuse develops for any nonnarcotic drug sold over the counter, the board may, by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, after a public hearing and a documented study to determine that the substance actually meets the criteria listed in division (B) of this section, place the abused substance on a controlled substance schedule.

(K)(1) A drug product containing ephedrine that is known as one of the following and is in the form specified shall not be considered a schedule V controlled substance:

(a) Amesec capsules;

(b) Bronitin tablets;

(c) Bronkotabs;

(d) Bronkolixir;

(e) Bronkaid tablets;

(f) Efedron nasal jelly;

(g) Guiaphed elixir;

(h) Haysma;

(i) Pazo hemorrhoid ointment and suppositories;

(j) Primatene "M" formula tablets;

(k) Primatene "P" formula tablets;

(l) Tedrigen tablets;

(m) Tedral tablets, suspension and elixir;

(n) T.E.P.;

(o) Vatronol nose drops.

(2)(a) A product containing ephedrine shall not be considered a controlled substance if the product is a food product or dietary supplement that meets all of the following criteria:

(i) It contains, per dosage unit or serving, not more than the lesser of twenty-five milligrams of ephedrine alkaloids or the maximum amount of ephedrine alkaloids provided in applicable regulations adopted by the United States food and drug administration, and no other controlled substance.

(ii) It contains no hydrochloride or sulfate salts of ephedrine alkaloids.

(iii) It is packaged with a prominent label securely affixed to each package that states all of the following: the amount in milligrams of ephedrine in a serving or dosage unit; the amount of the food product or dietary supplement that constitutes a serving or dosage unit; that the maximum recommended dosage of ephedrine for a healthy adult human is the lesser of one hundred milligrams in a twenty-four-hour period for not more than twelve weeks or the maximum recommended dosage or period of use provided in applicable regulations adopted by the United States food and drug administration; and that improper use of the product may be hazardous to a person's health.

(b)(i) Subject to division (K)(2)(b)(ii) of this section, no person shall dispense, sell, or otherwise give a product described in division (K)(2)(a) of this section to any individual under eighteen years of age.

(ii) Division (K)(2)(b)(i) of this section does not apply to a physician or pharmacist who dispenses, sells, or otherwise gives a product described in division (K)(2)(a) of this section to an individual under eighteen years of age, to a parent or guardian of an individual under eighteen years of age who dispenses, sells, or otherwise gives a product of that nature to the individual under eighteen years of age, or to a person who, as authorized by the individual's parent or legal guardian, dispenses, sells, or otherwise gives a product of that nature to an individual under eighteen years of age.

(c) No person in the course of selling, offering for sale, or otherwise distributing a product described in division (K)(2)(a) of this section shall advertise or represent in any manner that the product causes euphoria, ecstasy, a "buzz" or "high," or an altered mental state; heightens sexual performance; or, because it contains ephedrine alkaloids, increased muscle mass.

(3) A drug product that contains the isomer pseudoephedrine, or any of its salts, optical isomers, or salts of optical isomers, shall not be considered a controlled substance if the drug product is labeled in a manner consistent with federal law or with the product's over-the-counter tentative final monograph or final monograph issued by the United States food and drug administration.

(4) At the request of any person, the board may except any product containing ephedrine not described in division (K)(1) or (2) of this section or any class of products containing ephedrine from being included as a schedule V controlled substance if it determines that the product or class of products does not contain any other controlled substance. The board shall make the determination in accordance with this section and by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(L) If the board adds, transfers, or removes a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance to or from a schedule pursuant to division (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), or (H) of this section, the board shall incorporate the addition, transfer, or removal into the schedules in its next update of the schedules under division (B) of section 3719.41 of the Revised Code.

(M) As used in this section:

(1) "Food" has the same meaning as in section 3715.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Dietary supplement" has the same meaning as in the "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act," 108 Stat. 4327 (1994), 21 U.S.C.A. 321 (ff), as amended.

(3) "Ephedrine alkaloids" means ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, and methylpseudoephedrine.

Section 3719.45 | Additions to schedule I by emergency rule; resolution.
 

(A)(1) The state board of pharmacy, by emergency rule adopted in accordance with division (G) of section 119.03 of the Revised Code, shall add a previously unscheduled compound, mixture, preparation, or substance to schedule I if the board determines that the compound, mixture, preparation, or substance has no accepted medical use in treatment in this state and poses an imminent hazard to the public health, safety, or welfare.

(2) In determining whether a previously unscheduled compound, mixture, preparation, or substance poses an imminent hazard to the public health, safety, or welfare, the board shall consider all of the following with respect to the compound, mixture, preparation, or substance:

(a) Its actual or relative potential for abuse;

(b) The scope, duration, and significance of that abuse;

(c) The risk it poses to the public health.

(B) If the board determines that a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance meets the criteria specified in division (A) of this section, the board shall determine whether to issue a resolution requesting that the governor issue an order pursuant to division (G) of section 119.03 of the Revised Code. If a resolution is issued, the resolution shall include the full text of the proposed emergency rule and the reasons for the board's determination that the compound, mixture, preparation, or substance meets the criteria specified in division (A) of this section.

(C) The board may utilize a telephone conference call to make the determinations set forth in divisions (A) and (B) of this section.

(D) An emergency rule adopted under this section takes effect as provided in division (G) of section 119.03 of the Revised Code.

(E) Authority to control under this section does not extend to any of the following:

(1) Distilled spirits, wine, or beer, as those terms are defined or used in Chapter 4301. of the Revised Code ;

(2) Dangerous drugs approved by the United States food and drug administration;

(3) Any drug approved by the United States food and drug administration to be lawfully sold over the counter without a prescription.

Section 3719.61 | Opioid treatment programs.
 

Nothing in the laws dealing with drugs of abuse shall be construed to prohibit treatment of persons with narcotic drug dependencies by the continuing maintenance of their dependence through an opioid treatment program licensed and operated in accordance with section 5119.37 of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under that section.

Last updated March 10, 2023 at 12:21 PM

Section 3719.70 | Grant of immunity or sentencing consideration to person providing information necessary to investigation.
 

(A) When testimony, information, or other evidence in the possession of a person who uses, possesses, or trafficks in any drug of abuse appears necessary to an investigation by law enforcement authorities into illicit sources of any drug of abuse, or appears necessary to successfully institute, maintain, or conclude a prosecution for any drug abuse offense, as defined in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code, a judge of the court of common pleas may grant to that person immunity from prosecution for any offense based upon the testimony, information, or other evidence furnished by that person, other than a prosecution of that person for giving false testimony, information, or other evidence.

(B)(1) When a person is convicted of any misdemeanor drug abuse offense, the court, in determining whether to place the person under a community control sanction pursuant to section 2929.25 of the Revised Code, shall take into consideration whether the person truthfully has revealed all information within the person's knowledge concerning illicit traffic in or use of drugs of abuse and, when required, has testified as to that information in any proceeding to obtain a search or arrest warrant against another or to prosecute another for any offense involving a drug of abuse. The information shall include, but is not limited to, the identity and whereabouts of accomplices, accessories, aiders, and abettors, if any, of the person or persons from whom any drug of abuse was obtained or to whom any drug of abuse was distributed, and of persons known or believed to be persons with drug dependencies, together with the location of any place or places where and the manner in which any drug of abuse is illegally cultivated, manufactured, sold, possessed, or used. The information also shall include all facts and circumstances surrounding any illicit traffic in or use of drugs of abuse of that nature.

(2) If a person otherwise is eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction and being ordered to a period of rehabilitation under section 2951.041 of the Revised Code but the person has failed to cooperate with law enforcement authorities by providing them with the types of information described in division (B)(1) of this section, the person's lack of cooperation may be considered by the court under section 2951.041 of the Revised Code in determining whether to stay all criminal proceedings and order the person to a requested period of intervention.

(C) In the absence of a competent and voluntary waiver of the right against self-incrimination, no information or testimony furnished pursuant to division (B) of this section shall be used in a prosecution of the person furnishing it for any offense other than a prosecution of that person for giving false testimony, information, or other evidence.

Last updated March 10, 2023 at 12:21 PM

Section 3719.81 | Furnishing drug samples.
 

(A) As used in this section, "sample drug" has the same meaning as in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) A person may furnish another a sample drug, if all of the following apply:

(1) The sample drug is furnished free of charge by a manufacturer, manufacturer's representative, or wholesale dealer in pharmaceuticals to a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs, or is furnished free of charge by such a professional to a patient for use as medication;

(2) The sample drug is in the original container in which it was placed by the manufacturer, and the container is plainly marked as a sample;

(3) Prior to its being furnished, the sample drug has been stored under the proper conditions to prevent its deterioration or contamination;

(4) If the sample drug is of a type which deteriorates with time, the sample container is plainly marked with the date beyond which the sample drug is unsafe to use, and the date has not expired on the sample furnished. Compliance with the labeling requirements of the "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act," 52 Stat. 1040 (1938), 21 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, shall be deemed compliance with this section.

(5) The sample drug is distributed, stored, or discarded in such a way that the sample drug may not be acquired or used by any unauthorized person, or by any person, including a child, for whom it may present a health or safety hazard.

(C) Division (B) of this section does not do any of the following:

(1) Apply to or restrict the furnishing of any sample of a nonnarcotic substance if the substance may, under the "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act" and under the laws of this state, otherwise be lawfully sold over the counter without a prescription;

(2) Authorize a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs who is a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, certified nurse practitioner, optometrist, or physician assistant to furnish a sample drug that is not a drug the professional is authorized to prescribe.

(3) Prohibit a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs, manufacturer of dangerous drugs, wholesale distributor of dangerous drugs, or representative of a manufacturer of dangerous drugs from furnishing a sample drug to a charitable pharmacy in accordance with section 3719.811 of the Revised Code.

(4) Prohibit a pharmacist working, whether or not for compensation, in a charitable pharmacy from dispensing a sample drug to a person in accordance with section 3719.811 of the Revised Code.

(D) The state board of pharmacy shall, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, adopt rules as necessary to give effect to this section.

Section 3719.811 | Sample drug furnished to or by charitable pharmacy - exceptions.
 

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Charitable pharmacy" means a pharmacy that meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Holds a terminal distributor of dangerous drugs license under section 4729.54 of the Revised Code.

(b) Is exempt from federal taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 501(a) and (c)(3).

(c) Is not a hospital.

(2) "Prescription" has the same meaning as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Sample drug" has the same meaning as in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) A manufacturer of dangerous drugs or wholesale distributor of dangerous drugs may furnish a sample drug to a charitable pharmacy if all of the following apply:

(1) The sample drug is in the original container in which it was placed by its manufacturer and the container is plainly marked as a sample.

(2) Prior to its being furnished, the sample drug has been stored under the proper conditions to prevent its deterioration or contamination.

(3) If the sample drug is of a type that deteriorates with time, the container in which the sample drug is stored is plainly marked with the date beyond which the sample drug is unsafe to use, and the date has not expired on the sample drug furnished. Compliance with the labeling requirements of the "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act," 52 Stat. 1040 (1938), 21 U.S.C. 301, as amended, constitutes compliance with division (B)(3) of this section.

(4) The sample drug is distributed, stored, or discarded in such a way that the sample drug may not be acquired or used by any unauthorized person, or by any person, including a child, for whom it may present a health or safety hazard.

(5) The sample drug is furnished free of charge.

(6) The sample drug is not a controlled substance.

(C) A representative of a manufacturer of dangerous drugs or a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs may furnish a sample drug to a charitable pharmacy if all of the following apply:

(1) Rules have been adopted rules under division (F) of this section that permit such a representative or health professional to furnish a sample drug to a charitable pharmacy.

(2) The representative or health professional complies with standards and procedures established in rules adopted under division (F) of this section.

(3) The requirements of divisions (B)(1) to (6) of this section are satisfied.

(D) A pharmacist working, whether or not for compensation, in a charitable pharmacy may dispense a sample drug to a person if all of the following apply:

(1) The person to whom the sample drug is dispensed is eligible for the sample drug under standards established by the body responsible for the charitable pharmacy's general management.

(2) The person to whom the sample is dispensed presents to the pharmacist a valid prescription for the sample drug.

(3) The sample drug is dispensed free of charge.

(4) The requirements of divisions (B)(1) to (4) and (6) of this section are satisfied.

(E) Divisions (B), (C), and (D) of this section do not do either of the following:

(1) Apply to or restrict the furnishing of any sample of a nonnarcotic substance if the substance may, under the "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act" and under the law of this state, otherwise be lawfully sold over the counter without a prescription.

(2) Authorize a pharmacist working, whether or not for compensation, in a charitable pharmacy to dispense a sample drug that the charitable pharmacy is unauthorized to possess, have custody or control of, or distribute.

(F) The state board of pharmacy shall, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, adopt rules as necessary to give effect to this section. The rules may permit representatives of manufacturers of dangerous drugs or licensed health professionals authorized to prescribe drugs to furnish sample drugs to charitable pharmacies under this section. If they do so, the rules shall establish standards and procedures for the representatives or health professionals to furnish the sample drugs.

Section 3719.812 | Qualified immunity of sample drug donors and recipients.
 

The state board of pharmacy; any person that donates a sample drug as permitted under section 3719.811 of the Revised Code; any charitable pharmacy or pharmacist working in a charitable pharmacy that accepts or dispenses sample drugs as permitted under section 3719.811 of the Revised Code; and any licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs who accepts delivery of a sample drug on behalf of a charitable pharmacy as permitted under section 3719.811 of the Revised Code shall not, in the absence of bad faith, be subject to any of the following for matters related to donating, accepting, or dispensing sample drugs under section 3719.811 of the Revised Code: criminal prosecution; liability in tort or other civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property; or professional disciplinary action.

Section 3719.813 | Qualified immunity of sample drug manufacturers.
 

A drug manufacturer shall not, in the absence of bad faith, be subject to criminal prosecution or liability in tort or other civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property for matters related to the donation, acceptance, or dispensing of a drug manufactured by the drug manufacturer that is donated by any person as permitted under section 3719.811 of the Revised Code, including but not limited to liability for failure to transfer or communicate product or consumer information or the expiration date of the donated drug.

Section 3719.82 | Effect of child support default on license.
 

On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.43 of the Revised Code, the state board of pharmacy shall comply with sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code and any applicable rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code with respect to a license issued pursuant to this chapter.

Section 3719.99 | Penalty.
 

(A) Whoever violates section 3719.16 or 3719.161 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of section 3719.16 or 3719.161 of the Revised Code or a drug abuse offense, a violation of section 3719.16 or 3719.161 of the Revised Code is a felony of the fourth degree. If the violation involves the sale, offer to sell, or possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance, with the exception of marihuana, and if the offender, as a result of the violation, is a major drug offender, division (D) of this section applies.

(B) Whoever violates division (C) or (D) of section 3719.172 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division (C) or (D) of section 3719.172 of the Revised Code or a drug abuse offense, a violation of division (C) or (D) of section 3719.172 of the Revised Code is a felony of the fourth degree. If the violation involves the sale, offer to sell, or possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance, with the exception of marihuana, and if the offender, as a result of the violation, is a major drug offender, division (D) of this section applies.

(C) Whoever violates section 3719.07 or 3719.08 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of section 3719.07 or 3719.08 of the Revised Code or a drug abuse offense, a violation of section 3719.07 or 3719.08 of the Revised Code is a felony of the fifth degree. If the violation involves the sale, offer to sell, or possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance, with the exception of marihuana, and if the offender, as a result of the violation, is a major drug offender, division (D) of this section applies.

(D)(1) If an offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony violation of section 3719.07, 3719.08, 3719.16, or 3719.161 or of division (C) or (D) of section 3719.172 of the Revised Code, if the violation involves the sale, offer to sell, or possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance, with the exception of marihuana, 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 authorized or required by division (A), (B), or (C) 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 sections 2929.11 to 2929.18 of the Revised Code, shall impose upon the offender, in accordance with division (B)(3) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code, the mandatory prison term specified in that division.

(2) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of section 3719.21 of the Revised Code, the clerk of the court shall pay any fine imposed for a felony violation of section 3719.07, 3719.08, 3719.16, or 3719.161 or of division (C) or (D) of section 3719.172 of the Revised Code pursuant to division (A) of section 2929.18 of the Revised Code in accordance with and subject to the requirements of division (F) of section 2925.03 of the Revised Code. The agency that receives the fine shall use the fine as specified in division (F) of section 2925.03 of the Revised Code.

(E) Whoever violates section 3719.05, 3719.06, 3719.13, or 3719.31 or division (B) of section 3719.172 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of section 3719.05, 3719.06, 3719.13, or 3719.31 or division (B) of section 3719.172 of the Revised Code or a drug abuse offense, a violation of section 3719.05, 3719.06, 3719.13, or 3719.31 or division (B) of section 3719.172 of the Revised Code is a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(F) Whoever violates section 3719.30 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of section 3719.30 of the Revised Code or a drug abuse offense, a violation of section 3719.30 of the Revised Code is a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(G) Whoever violates section 3719.32 or 3719.33 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(H) Whoever violates division (K)(2)(b) of section 3719.44 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.

(I) Whoever violates division (K)(2)(c) of section 3719.44 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree.

(J) As used in this section, "major drug offender" has the same meaning as in section 2929.01 of the Revised Code.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.