Dexter Ridgway

Dexter Ridgway is a Research Associate at the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. His work focuses on marijuana legislation and broader drug policy, combining data analysis with public policy expertise to inform decisions across local, state, and federal levels.

He holds a Master of Public Administration and Policy from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs (2019) and a B.A. in Political Science from Ohio Northern University (2017), with minors in Public Policy and Marketing. Originally from Bryan, Ohio, Dexter's interest in criminal justice stems from his family’s background in law enforcement.

After an internship at a D.C. lobbying firm, Dexter explored energy policy through a study abroad program in Sweden before turning to drug policy, particularly the opioid crisis in Ohio. His research now spans marijuana zoning, local moratoriums, and regulatory implementation. His work—often featured in outlets like Marijuana Moment and MJBizDaily—has been cited by government entities from local councils to the U.S. Supreme Court.