State of Ohio Archives: on Drugs

Nan Whaley: Move past stigma, treat addiction as the disease that it is

Tim Ryan: Advocated for treatment & diversion in lieu of incarceration

Mike DeWine: Focus on children of drug abusers; and help parents

Jim Renacci: Opposes recreational marijuana legalization

Sherrod Brown (D): Supports medical legalization. Wants to study how legalizing recreational works elsewhere before legalizing in Ohio. Opposes federal intervention.

Jim Renacci (R): Opposes recreational legalization. Watch how medical implementation goes. Voted against protecting states from federal intervention.

Mike DeWine: Opposes recreational marijuana; opposes Ballot issue 1

Richard Cordray (D): Would legalize. Supports Issue 1 as alternative to failed drug & incarceration policies. "Can't arrest way out of opioid crisis," so fund treatment & prevention programs, train law enforcement, & boost state support for families.

Mike DeWine (R): Opposes recreational marijuana legalization or decriminalization. Sued Toledo when the city passed municipal decriminalization. Also opposes Issue 1. To help address opioid crisis, expand substance-abuse & early intervention programs, and add drug courts.

Richard Cordray: Can't arrest way out of opioid crisis

Richard Cordray (D): Would legalize. Supports Issue 1 as alternative to failed drug & incarceration policies. "Can't arrest way out of opioid crisis," so fund treatment & prevention programs, train law enforcement, & boost state support for families.

Mike DeWine (R): Opposes recreational marijuana legalization or decriminalization. Sued Toledo when the city passed municipal decriminalization. Also opposes Issue 1. To help address opioid crisis, expand substance-abuse & early intervention programs, and add drug courts.

Sherrod Brown: Supports medical legalization; opposes federal intervention

Sherrod Brown (D): Supports medical legalization. Wants to study how legalizing recreational works elsewhere before legalizing in Ohio. Opposes federal intervention.

Jim Renacci (R): Opposes recreational legalization. Watch how medical implementation goes. Voted against protecting states from federal intervention.

John Kasich: Longer prison sentences for fentanyl-related offenses

The bill lowers the amounts required to trigger escalating levels of felony penalties, keeping offenders in prison longer. "We're sending a message ... they're going to go to prison for a very long time," Kasich said.

Drug dealers convicted as major drug offenders in fentanyl-compound cases face additional mandatory prison terms of three to eight years. In some cases, the penalty for permitting drug abuse involving fentanyl will increase from a first-degree misdemeanor (a maximum of six months in jail) to a fifth-degree felony (up to a year in prison).

Mike DeWine: Keep low-level drug use a felony instead of a misdemeanor

"It's important for low-level offenders to not be in the prison system," the second-term Republican governor said, adding he wants to study the issue further. It is opposed by Attorney General Mike DeWine, the Republican candidate for governor, and supported by his opponent, Democrat Richard Cordray.

Richard Cordray: Make low-level drug use a misdemeanor; treatment not prison

"It's important for low-level offenders to not be in the prison system," the second-term Republican governor said, adding he wants to study the issue further. It is opposed by Attorney General Mike DeWine, the Republican candidate for governor, and supported by his opponent, Democrat Richard Cordray.

Mike Gibbons: Marijuana is not a gateway drug

A: Oppose

Richard Cordray: We cannot arrest our way out of opioid crisis: tackle causes

Mary Taylor: Focus on prevention and reducing the supply of drugs

• Further Change the culture around prescribing opioids
• Jump starting a private sector treatment system
• Raising awareness and addressing mental health challenges
• Coordinating efforts and supporting law enforcement to keep drugs off the streets
  Mary Taylor will leverage the relationships she has established with the Trump Administration as well as the leaders of the Great Lakes states and provinces to develop a collaborative approach to stopping illegal drugs at our borders; to collecting, sharing, and utilizing data; and to taking drug dealers and distributors off the streets. She will also fund new narcotics officers and other resources to level the playing field for law enforcement. Source: 2018 Ohio Governor campaign site MaryTaylorForGovernor.com Mar 21, 2018

  Mike Gibbons: Solutions are more medical than criminal

  We need to understand that the law-and-order approach to the drug crisis has failed. We need to continue to prosecute hardcore dealers, but we need to focus on education, treatment, and support. I have personally put my money into a startup company that provides a way for addicts to break the cycle of addition. But this isn't about my company. It's about competition and innovation. I want to see more health care providers join me in this fight. Source: 2018 Ohio Senatorial website GibbonsForOhio.com Oct 15, 2017

  Joe Schiavoni: Can't arrest our way out of opioid crisis

  Must dramatically increase funding for treatment options and law enforcement to fight the opioid epidemic that is devastating our communities. This is a health crisis. And it must be treated like one. We can't arrest our way out of this problem. We need a comprehensive plan to attack the issue from every angle. This means prevention, education, emergency response, law enforcement, and treatment and recovery services. Source: 2018 Ohio Governor website JoeForOhio.com Aug 17, 2017

  Nan Whaley: Ohio's heroin epidemic caused by drug companies

  The heroin epidemic is no accident. It didn't just happen. It started with the drug companies. The drug companies made this mess, and it's time they stopped passing the buck to Ohio's taxpayers and started paying to clean it up. Source: 2018 Ohio Gubernatorial website NanWhaleyForOhio.com Aug 8, 2017

  Jon Husted: If #1 in jobs & education, Ohio wouldn't be #1 in opioids

  On the opioid epidemic: "Right now, Ohio is number one in opioid deaths, and that is unacceptable," he said. "If we were number one in job training and education, I promise you we would not be number one in opioid deaths. So it's also about giving people hope and purpose in their lives so they don't turn to drugs and alcohol as a way of coping with the pain in their lives." Source: Chillicothe Gazette on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race May 11, 2017

  John Kasich: Shut down the pill mills; put crooked doctors in jail

  On drug addiction. Seven years ago, I went down to southern Ohio. And I met these ladies, and they walked in with these pictures. Well, who's on the picture? Beautiful young people--sons, daughters, football captain, cheerleader, whatever. I said, "what's up, moms?" They're all dead. We've got pill mills down here and they're passing these pills out. They're passing out pills down here like they're going through the McDonald's for french fries. I said "we will shut this down." How it operated all these years, I don't really understand. We shut the pill mills down. We put the crooked doctors in jail whenever we could.

  We moved the Highway Patrol into more aggressive interdiction to remove illegal drugs. Here's the understanding about Ohio. Why is Ohio at the epicenter of all this? It's location. 600 miles within 60 percent of the country. It's only a day from Mexico and the drug cartels. Believe me. Talk to the patrol. It's only a few hours from Chicago.

  Source: 2017 Ohio State of the State address Apr 5, 2017

  John Kasich: StartTalking! Talk to kids to say no to opiates

  On prescription opiate abuse: We were one of the first states to create prescribing guidelines for doctors. Seven days of opiates for adults and no more than five days for children. Don't be giving all this stuff. We linked our medical providers into our pharmacy system to slow doctor shopping. For those that are chronically ill, we're not out to take your medication away. But you're more closely watched by your physician.

  We created StartTalking! Talk to your kids. Talk to somebody who's not your kid. Just talk about it. 50% less likelihood if somebody would do drugs, opiates, that's how they start. These young kids, they go to a party and somebody says, "hey, they've got a bowl of pills." That's the moment of truth. The answer is "no, I don't want to be cool by taking drugs." That's what we're trying to do with StartTalking!

  We spent nearly $1 billion on this issue of drugs. Our work is paying off. A 20 percent reduction in opiate prescriptions. Doctor shopping has fallen by 80%.

  Source: 2017 Ohio State of the State address Apr 5, 2017

  John Kasich: No mixed message: don't do opioids & don't do marijuana

  Gov. John Kasich said he doesn't think Ohio's new medical marijuana program will help mitigate the state's opioid crisis, though recent studies indicate otherwise.

  Kasich was asked at a news conference announcing new opioid prescription limits what role medical marijuana might play in addressing the growing number of opiate overdose deaths in Ohio. Kasich said telling kids not to do drugs but that marijuana is OK sends a mixed message. "I know it's not recreational marijuana, not recreational use, but I don't see a role for it in this at all," Kasich said.

  Studies have shown opioid overdoses and deaths have decreased in states that allow medical marijuana, which is far less addictive and lethal. Republicans and Democrats cited the opioid crisis as a reason to pass Ohio's medical marijuana law last year.

  "I don't like the whole thing -- medical marijuana," Kasich said. "It got passed because somebody was going to have a broader law."

  Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race Mar 30, 2017

  John Kasich: 2016: Legalized medical marijuana, with tight regulations

  Twenty-eight states and Washington D.C. have legalized medical marijuana use. Ohio's medical marijuana law, signed by Kasich last June, allows patients with one of 21 medical conditions to buy and use marijuana if recommended to them by a physician. Smoking marijuana and growing it at home are not allowed.

  Three state agencies are in the process of establishing a tightly regulated program to grow and sell medical marijuana in limited amounts.

  Studies have shown marijuana can alleviate pain. The most recent study found hospitalization rates for painkiller addiction and abuse dropped 23% on average in states after they allowed medical marijuana use. Hospitalization rates for overdoses dropped 13%, according to the report published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

  "I don't like the whole thing -- medical marijuana," Kasich said. "It got passed because somebody was going to have a broader law."

  Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race Mar 30, 2017

  Mike DeWine: Age-appropriate discussions in Kindergarten thru 12th grade

  Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine outlined proposals to restrict opioid abuse statewide. DeWine spoke with area law enforcement officials during a meeting of the Metro Toledo Criminal Justice Administrators in Oregon. He reiterated his support for their agencies and encouraged ideas for curtailing heroin use.

  Accidental overdoses killed an average of eight people each day last year in Ohio. That total appears to still be climbing, he said. "I don't know that we've hit the bottom yet," he said.

  It is encouraging, he added, that many now acknowledge this problem and are working toward a solution. DeWine suggested expanding the school curriculum for kindergarten through 12th grade with age-appropriate discussions on drugs. Reaching so many youth from an early stage is common sense, he said.

  Source: Toledo Blade on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race Jan 28, 2017

  Rob Portman: No legalization; focus instead on drug prevention

  Q: On Marijuana: Decriminalize and/or legalize marijuana?

  Portman: No. Focus instead on drug prevention & rehabilitation.

  Strickland: Yes

  Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Ohio Senate race Oct 9, 2016

  Ted Strickland: Decriminalize and/or legalize marijuana

  Q: On Marijuana: Decriminalize and/or legalize marijuana?

  Portman: No. Focus instead on drug prevention & rehabilitation.

  Strickland: Yes

  Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Ohio Senate race Oct 9, 2016

  Ted Strickland: Medical cannabis is a "no-brainer"; decriminalize now

  Democrat Ted Strickland, the state's former governor who also previously served in Congress, has called medical cannabis a "no-brainer" and said "decriminalization of marijuana should occur." He was a little more guarded about his position on a 2015 Ohio ballot initiative that would have legalized marijuana and allowed a small group of rich investors to control commercial cultivation. "If this was a straight marijuana legalization vote, I would vote yes," he said. "I am troubled by the monopoly aspect of it."

  As a House member, Strickland voted in favor of the 2003 amendment to protect state medical marijuana laws from Justice Department interference.

  Source: Marijuana.com on 2016 Ohio Senate race Jun 13, 2016

  P.G. Sittenfeld: Reform outdated marijuana laws that penalize possession

  It is outrageous that nearly 1/3 of all black males will spend at least part of their lives in prison. And not because they are violent criminals: of the more than 2 million people who are now in American jails, a significant percentage are low-level offenders who were sent there for minor drug crimes, petty parole violations, or simply because they are awaiting trial.

  I believe we can do better. That will mean rethinking arbitrary, mandatory minimum sentencing, especially for low-level, non-violent offenses that are more effectively handled through probation and diversion programs. We need to stop using our prisons as mental health facilities, and put more resources into treating psychological illness. And yes, I believe the time has come to revise and reform outdated state and federal marijuana laws that harshly penalize personal possession and make criminals out of otherwise law-abiding citizens.

  Source: 2016 Ohio Senate race: Center of Hope Baptist Church speech Aug 9, 2015

  P.G. Sittenfeld: Marijuana legalization & tight regulation

  One issue Sittenfeld emphasized: Legal marijuana. The councilman endorsed the ResponsibleOhio plan for legalization and commercialization: "Sittenfeld said that, in general, he favors 'decriminalization, legalization, and tight regulation' of marijuana. Keeping marijuana illegal, he said, leads to brutal drug dealers, keeps cancer patients from alleviating their pain, and results in a disproportionate amount of black people going to jail."

  Ted Strickland's spokesman said the former governor supports medical marijuana but has not yet taken a position on the ResponsibleOhio plan or competing proposals.

  Republican Sen. Rob Portman, whom Strickland or Sittenfeld would face next year, opposes legalization, reports NEOMG's Stephen Koff.

  Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer coverage of 2016 Ohio Senate race May 15, 2015

  John Kasich: 50% lower chance of drug use if kids hear "don't do drugs"

  "Start Talking": Do you know about this? We've got a lot of new members here. If a young person hears "do not do drugs," there is a 50 percent less chance they will ever do it. A 50 percent less chance. Now, in your districts, you can spread it. We've spoken now, I think--well, I know the last time I checked--to over 26,000 kids. We've gotten teachers involved. And, ladies and gentlemen that are here in Wilmington, I don't care where you are. You're in a restaurant? You walk over there and you see those kids. You tell them to stay off the drugs. [Look at] the tsunami of trouble we have in this community because of addiction. We need to be in our schools. We need to be in our communities. We need to be in our synagogues. We need to be in our churches. We need to be everywhere. Don't leave it to somebody else. Source: State of the State address to 2015 Ohio Legislature Feb 24, 2015

  Michael Pryce: Mandatory prison sentences for selling illegal drugs

  Q: Do you support mandatory prison sentences for selling illegal drugs?

  A: Yes.

  Q: Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with substance abuse treatment?

  A: Yes.

  Q: Do you support reduced prison sentences for non-violent offenders?

  A: No.

  Source: Ohio Congressional Election 2010 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2010

  Eric Deaton: Rehabilitate drug sellers rather than just locking them up

  Q: Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related training and job-placement assistance when released?

  A: Yes.

  Q: Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with substance abuse treatment?

  A: Yes.

  Q: Do you support reduced prison sentences for non-violent offenders?

  A: Yes.

  Q: Do you support mandatory prison sentences for selling illegal drugs?

  A: No. Educating and rehabilitating prison inmates to stop the cycle of crime in their lives will make them better citizens and more productive to society in the long run. We should work to stop this endless battle against crime in the repeat offenders and give them other options in life. In the long run this is a cheaper option than just locking them up over and over again.

  Source: Ohio Congressional 2010 Political Courage Test Aug 11, 2010

  Lee Fisher: Rid our streets of violence and illegal drugs

  In this time of economic crisis, Ohio's state and local governments face new and daunting challenges to keep our communities safe and secure. More than ever, our courageous law enforcement officials need support from the federal government and a Senator who will work with them to help rid our streets of violence and illegal drugs that threaten the safety and security of every American. Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, fisherforohio.com, "Issues" Dec 25, 2009

  Lee Fisher: Created the award-winning Operation Crackdown program

  As Ohio's Attorney General, Lee created the award-winning Operation Crackdown program, shutting down hundreds of dangerous drug houses throughout Ohio and ridding neighborhoods of illegal drugs. Lee also established the first-ever statewide law enforcement and crime victim conferences, which are now annual traditions in Ohio's law enforcement community. Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, fisherforohio.com, "Issues" Dec 25, 2009

  Steven Driehaus: Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes

  Driehaus indicates he supports the following principles concerning crime.
  • Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
  • Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
  • Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
  • Increase penalties for crimes committed on school grounds.
  Source: 2000 Ohio National Political Awareness Test Nov 4, 2008

  Eric Fingerhut: Decriminalize medical marijuana

  Principles which Fingerhut supports to address drug abuse:
  • Decriminalize the use of Marijuana for Medicinal purposes.
  • Fingerhut says, “I would insist appropriate alcohol and drug treatment programs are available in the prison system and that every inmate with a history of alcohol and drug abuse participate in such programs.”
  Source: Ohio Congressional 2002 National Political Awareness Test Nov 5, 2002

  Bob Taft: Enact more laws to fight methamphetamines

  A danger is menacing our children. Whatever you call it - meth, ice, or crank - methamphetamines have many street names but a single result - lives destroyed. Law enforcement officials are seizing record amounts of meth, and seeing an alarming surge in the number of labs that produce it. So today, I ask you to join me in enacting laws to fight this illicit drug and to attack these toxic labs. We will not allow this drug to destroy more lives in Ohio! Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

  Joyce Beatty: Strengthen penalties for drug-related crimes

  Beatty indicates support of the following principles regarding drugs.
  • Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
  • Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
  • Ban the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officers.
  Source: Ohio Legislative 2000 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  Charlie Wilson: Strengthen penalties for drug-related crimes

  Indicate which principles you support to address crime.
  • Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
  • Strengthen penalties and sentences for sex offenders.
  Source: 1998 Ohio Legislative National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

  The above quotations are from State of Ohio Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  2020 Presidential contenders on Drugs:
  	Democrats running for President: Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO) V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE) Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC) Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT) Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ) Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Rep.John Delaney (D-MD) Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA) Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT) CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA) Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Marianne Williamson (D-CA) CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY) 2020 Third Party Candidates: Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI) CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Howie Hawkins (G-NY) Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM) Howard Schultz(I-WA) Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)	Republicans running for President: Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX) Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD) Gov.John Kasich(R-OH) V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC) Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY) Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL) Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY) 2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates: Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA) Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC) Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK) Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO) Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA) Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL) Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA) Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX) Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA) Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA) Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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  Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021