The Cleveland Plain-Dealer: on Drugs

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

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."

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

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."

P.G. Sittenfeld: Marijuana legalization & tight regulation

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.

Shontel Brown: Pardoning marijuana possession addresses minority families