COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Commerce Divisions of Liquor Control (DOLC) and Cannabis Control (DCC), Department of Public Safety Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) and Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) remind Ohioans to practice social responsibility this Fourth of July when many will attend various celebratory events throughout the state.

"We ask liquor permit holders and consumers alike to take proactive steps to help ensure all Ohioans are able to celebrate the July Fourth holiday safely," said OIU Senior Enforcement Commander Erik Lockhart. "Preventing underage alcohol consumption and drunk driving is a team effort that can save lives."

"It's important that, as Ohioans get together with friends and loved ones to honor and celebrate the Fourth of July, they do so with responsibility in mind," said DOLC Superintendent Jackie DeGenova. "While we always encourage individual responsibility and personal accountability, we urge permit holders to take necessary steps to ensure alcohol doesn't end up in the wrong hands."

"The Division of Cannabis Control urges anyone who chooses to use products containing cannabis to ensure they do so in a safe and responsible manner this July Fourth holiday," said DCC Superintendent Jim Canepa. "Cannabis can quickly and significantly impair users, which is why these products have no place in or near vehicles, around fireworks, near children, or around other activities in which impairment could jeopardize the health and safety of others."

Last year from July 3-4, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported 12 fatalities on Ohio roadways from 10 traffic crashes. Of those crashes, impairment was determined to be a factor in nine of them.

According to OSHP, in 2023, impaired driving was a factor in 58% of all fatal crashes, and drug-impaired driving was involved in 44% of those fatal crashes. While overall fatal crashes went down 3% from 2022 to 2023, drug-impaired driving in fatal crashes increased 4%. Over one in five impaired driving arrests made by state troopers last year involved a driver impaired by marijuana and/or another drug.

In 2023, Ohio state troopers made 3,319 drug-impaired driving arrests, including:

• 739 marijuana-impaired arrests
• 1,865 drug-impaired driving arrests for a drug other than marijuana
• 715 drug-impaired driving arrests in which the driver had a combination of marijuana and another drug in their system.

"For the Ohio State Highway Patrol, ensuring the safety of those who travel Ohio's roadways during the upcoming holiday, and every day, is a top priority," said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol Superintendent. "Impaired driving is a significant contributor to preventable crashes and tragedies, and drug-impaired driving has continued to increase on Ohio's roads. Tackling this issue is not just a matter of additional enforcement efforts; safer roadways are a result of everyone working toward the same goal."

Ohio consumers are reminded of the following:

• Celebrate responsibly - If you're attending a BBQ, pool party or any event where alcohol is being served, be sure to drink plenty of water, eat a meal and make plans for a safe ride home. Obey all of Ohio's open container laws and pay close attention to signage that identifies boundaries of temporary liquor permitted events and Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas (DORAs).
• Host responsibly - Party hosts should make sure to provide alcohol-free options and food to their guests. They also should offer assistance in the event their guests need help getting home safely.
• Serve responsibly - Event hosts should not serve alcohol to anyone under 21 or individuals who are already intoxicated.

Ohio liquor permit holders are reminded of the following:

• Serve responsibly - Liquor permit holders are prohibited from selling to underage persons or allowing them to consume alcoholic beverages at their establishments. They should be sure to check identification to verify customers are 21 or older at the point of sale. Staff should also understand the signs of intoxication and refuse to serve intoxicated consumers.
• Host responsibly - Permit holders should take measures to prevent staff or consumers from bringing illegal drugs, including cannabis, into their establishments or adjacent sidewalks and parking lots or tampering with drinks. Since marijuana is still considered to be a controlled substance, the restrictions of Ohio Administrative Code 4301:1-1-52 remain in effect, which prohibits the use of marijuana in liquor permit premises.

Motorists travelling across the state are encouraged to contribute to a safer Ohio by safely calling #677 to report impaired and distracted drivers.

In addition, the following resources are available for permit holders and consumers.

• Social Responsibility Hub
• Alcohol Server Knowledge Course
• OHLQ Cares
• Responsibility.Org Summer Resource

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