John Kasich in The Cleveland Plain-Dealer

On Drugs: 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

On Drugs: 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

On Energy & Oil: Keep state mandate on renewable energy

The solar industry got a boost with Gov. John Kasich's veto of a bill that would have made compliance with the state's renewable energy mandates voluntary for the next two years. Kasich broke ranks with the legislature's GOP leadership, vetoing a bill crafted by some of the state's most conservative lawmakers, who believe wind and solar companies should compete against the state's entrenched power companies on their own. Kasich's veto follows a campaign by environmental, business and consumer groups opposing the legislation. Many of them celebrated the veto on Tuesday. Here are some of their comments.

The Sierra Club Ohio Chapter: "We commend Gov. Kasich for vetoing the Ohio Legislature's attempt to tie our state to outdated, dirty, and expensive energy sources. The world is doubling down on wind, solar, and energy efficiency, and Ohio's robust manufacturing base is now in a better position to maximize that opportunity."

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race Dec 27, 2016

The above quotations are from Media coverage of OH political races in The Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Click here for other excerpts from Media coverage of OH political races in The Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Click here for other excerpts by John Kasich. Click here for a profile of John Kasich.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Jul 21, 2024