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ACLU Back on Board with Bill Reducing Drug Crime Penalties

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The American Civil Liberties Union says it’s ready to once again support a bill designed to reduce low-level drug possessions to misdemeanors and increase penalties for drug dealers.

The legislation is part of a long-running attempt by lawmakers to reduce Ohio’s prison population amidst the opioid addictions epidemic.

The ACLU reversed course after the Senate Judiciary Committee removed a drug sentencing amendment from the bill. That amendment would boosts penalties for selling drugs within the vicinity of an addiction services provider. It could pass later as its own bill.