Law professor @OhioStateLaw. Executive Director of @OSULawDEPC. Writer of Sentencing Law & Policy blog, Marijuana Law, Policy & Reform blog, member @CouncilonCJ
DEPC's Douglas Berman (@SLandP) and @cat_packer will speak the 2026 National Meeting for the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery. Learn more about the October 19–22 virtual conference: bit.ly/4rshXZo
ALT A promotional image for the 2026 National Meeting opening keynote titled "Cannabis Policy in Transition: What Higher Education Needs to Know." It features photos of three individuals: Doug Berman from The Ohio State University, Matt Lawrence from Emory University, and Cat Packer from Drug Policy Alliance.
Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing (PIR) is a model for how we can revisit past decisions in the best interest of justice, public safety, and reuniting families.
In states with PIR, District Attorneys have utilized the tool to resentence and release people whose incarceration is no longer in the interest of justice. Results show that PIR works and should be expanded.
fortheppl.org
Thanks to the @OhioStateLaw students that recently joined us to learn more about criminal record impacts, remedies, political pathways, and the upcoming Expungement and Beyond: Criminal Record Relief Practicum taught by Michael Eggiman.
Learn more: bit.ly/4cT6fkE
ALT Michael Eggiman sits at a table during an event. The table has an Ohio State University emblem. Text on the image reads: "Spring 2027 Expungement and Beyond: Criminal Record Relief Practicum." Below, text says: "Michael Eggimann, B.A., J.D., Staff Attorney, Drug Enforcement and Policy Center."
Up to one third of Ohioans have a criminal record. Consider sharing this family-friendly event on Oct. 3 in Dayton, Ohio with your network. There's a good chance someone who can benefit from these free record relief services could see it.
Learn more: bit.ly/49SJ4p1
ALT Flyer for the Clear Your Record, Change Your Life event to be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. The flyer features a photo of a white man with a child whose arms are wrapped around him. It also features a headshot of Ohio Poet Laureate, Edward A. Julian Sr. All flyer information can be found at the link in post.
Part two of this special issue of the Federal Sentencing Reporter, coedited by DEPC's Doug Berman (@SLandP), offers analyses of recent sentencing guideline amendments and aims to spark conversation about what comes next.
Select articles free @DukePress: read.dukeupress.edu/fsr/issu…
ALT A pair of handcuffs and a gavel lie on a wooden surface. In the center, the cover of volume 38 issue 3 of the "Federal Sentencing Reporter" is displayed with a blue cover featuring a scales of justice symbol.
If you missed DEPC Executive Director Douglas Berman's (@SLandP) update on federal marijuana rescheduling, you're in luck. A recording of the event, by hosted Prevention First (@drugfreeIL) on August 25, is now available: bit.ly/4A99Dlp
ALT Webinar announcement titled "Cannabis Rescheduling Updates" scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 3-4 PM. Registration required. The image features Douglas Berman in a suit standing on the right. Prevention First logo is at the bottom.
Ohio’s legislature was largely quiet in August while the federal government continued work on #kratom and #marijuana. In our latest LinkedIn newsletter, see our big update to Ohio marijuana moratoriums, new research on #crime around dispensaries, and more: bit.ly/4zLZACp
ALT The image is a newsletter banner for The Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law, specifically for the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center. It includes the text "Newsletter September 2026" and features a photo of the U.S. Capitol building at dusk with the LinkedIn logo.
Calling all @OhioStateLaw students!
Join Moritz alumni and DEPC staff on Sept. 21 to learn about the impact of criminal records, Ohio record relief remedies and an overview of the Expungement and Beyond practicum available Spring 2027. Lunch is provided.
moritzlaw.osu.edu/events/lun…
In the two years since adult-use marijuana sales began in Ohio, sales revenue has surpassed $1.5 billion and
host communities have received more than $55 million in tax revenue. Explore our interactive map to how much individual cities are bringing in: bit.ly/4irR3OI
ALT Map of Ohio showing cannabis tax revenue per municipality, categorized by different shades. Cities like Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati are marked. Revenue categories range from under $50K to over $2M. A legend explains the color coding.
Don't forget to join Prevention First (@drugfreeIL) on August 25 to hear DEPC Exec. Dir. Douglas Berman (@SLandP) provide an overview of the recent rescheduling of medical cannabis, including policy and research impacts. Learn more and register: bit.ly/4fQ8Jkd
ALT Webinar announcement titled "Cannabis Rescheduling Updates" scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 3-4 PM. Registration required. The image features Douglas Berman in a suit standing on the right. Prevention First logo is at the bottom.
New research coauthored by DEPC Senior Researcher Peter Leasure and Affiliated Researcher Meghan O'Neil examined whether primary drug of choice is associated with risk of being injured or threatened by a gun. Read the full article here: bit.ly/4ffPbXB
ALT This is a screenshot of an academic article titled "Firearm violence victimization in the United States: do drug preferences matter?" authored by Meghan M. O'Neil and Peter Leasure. It is published in Preventive Medicine Reports. The screenshot includes the publication information, a DOI link, and an open-access label.
Will you be joining us September 10-11? This in-person event features experts, skeptics, judges and academics who will discuss whether and how #originalism should be applied to modern #criminaljustice issues.
Read the full agenda and register at u.osu.edu/originalismandcrim….
ALT A promotional banner for the "Originalism and Criminal Justice Symposium" on September 10-11, 2026 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. It features the university logo and mentions the event hosts. The background is a collage-style graphic showing the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, a section of the U.S. Constitution, fingerprints, and a pair of handcuffs.
With the close of the 2025-2026 academic year, DEPC has once again created a Year-End Briefing. The document highlights some of the center’s achievements and activities from July 2025 through June 2026. 🎉
Read the full briefing: bit.ly/4zoMdrH
ALT An infographic titled "Drug Enforcement and Policy Center 2025-26 Year-End Briefing" shows research statistics: over 75 reports since 2018, 5 published this year. News and events include 220+ media mentions and over 1000 people at events. Research funding is $299,951. Website statistics: 160,000+ pageviews.
ALT Year-end briefing graphic from the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center. Highlights include: 4 Moritz students engaging in the "Expungement and Beyond" practicum, 3 students supporting criminal record relief projects, and 26 podcast episodes of "Drugs on the Docket." Additional stats show 4,000+ YouTube podcast listeners, 4,500+ podcast plays on Apple Podcasts, and 3 issues of the Federal Sentencing Reporter including 57 authors of over 35 articles.
ALT This image is a graphic for the "2025-26 Year-End Briefing" by the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center. It highlights two service projects: the Ohio Governor's Expedited Pardon Project, mentioning 6 years of operation, with 6 service providers, and 297 expedited pardons, and Opportunity Port, noting 4 years of operation with over 4,500 registered clients, 12,000+ cases reviewed, and over 1,300 clients having expungement applications prepared.
“This has definitely taken a weight off,” said Shakorie Davis, an Ohio Governor's Expedited Pardon Project client and pardon recipient, in a recent interview with @clevelanddotcom. Read the full story. 👇 bit.ly/3S3Gkzr
Will Todd Blanche's confirmation as US Attorney General significantly impact federal sentencing and corrections? sentencinglawandpolicy.wordp… via @SLandP
Are you a medical marijuana patient, potential patient, or recreational consumer? We want to hear about your experiences with Ohio's marijuana program.
Take the 5-10 minute research survey before it closes: bit.ly/4tgKFvz.
Click through to learn more and contact us.
ALT Graphic promoting a survey titled 'Evaluating the Ohio Marijuana Control Program: Satisfaction and Perception.' It features a checklist illustration and logos for The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center.
Just one #marijuana-related measure will be on a state ballot in the 2026 #election.
See the drug-related ballot initiatives that will be up for a vote and learn more about the Massachusetts measure on our resource page: bit.ly/4pua1WK
ALT Infographic titled 'Drugs on the Ballot: Marijuana Ballot Measures in 2026.' It lists states where measures will, could or won't appear on ballots. A red starburst reads 'Updated August 2026.' A map in the background highlights relevant states.
On September 10-11, experts, skeptics, judges and academics will discuss whether and how originalism should be applied to modern criminal justice issues. Join us in person for one event or the full symposium.
Read the full agenda and register at u.osu.edu/originalismandcrim….
ALT A promotional banner for the "Originalism and Criminal Justice Symposium" on September 10-11, 2026 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. It features the university logo and mentions the event hosts. The background is a collage-style graphic showing the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, a section of the U.S. Constitution, fingerprints, and a pair of handcuffs.
Are all economic sanctions, and even all Eighth Amendment doctrines, on the SCOTUS docket with Jouppi v. Alaska? sentencinglawandpolicy.wordp… via @SLandP