Robert Celt
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Republican candidates for the 83rd District seat in the Ohio House argued Monday about whether medical marijuana should be legalized.
Findlay businessman Kevin Rettig, who is challenging state Rep. Robert Cole Sprague of Findlay in the March 15 primary, said he supports medical marijuana. Rettig spoke during a candidate forum Monday night at the University of Findlay, broadcast by UFTV, WFIN and WLFC.
"We should look at that and look at it seriously," Rettig said of medical marijuana.
The legalization of marijuana for recreational use should be left up to voters, Rettig said.
Rettig said Ohio voters may not be interested in recreational legalization after a statewide effort called Responsible Ohio was defeated in November. A state constitutional amendment would have allowed both medicinal and recreational use of marijuana, and would have created a monopoly for marijuana sales, opponents have said.
Sprague said he's "wholeheartedly against" marijuana legalization because he's seen the effects of drug addiction. Sprague also called the pot proposal that was defeated in November "offensive" because of the changes it would have made to the Ohio Constitution.
"We have more pressing matters," Sprague said.
Any medical use of marijuana's ingredients should go through the same approval process as other drugs used to treat illnesses, Sprague said.
Sprague said he's open to potential medicines that use cannabinoids to treat people with seizures and other conditions, so long as the THC is removed or reduced so much that people cannot get high from it.
Drug use and abuse was a recurring topic during the debate.
Sprague touted his work in trying to combat the state's prescription drug and heroin problem.
He mentioned how bills he supported will prevent a doctor from prescribing opioids to a minor without parental consent, and provide more education to students about the link between prescription drugs and heroin use.
Rettig criticized some of Sprague's efforts and referred to them as "one or two size fits all."
People should consider what it's like to be someone who is "truly in pain" and may need painkillers, Rettig said.
Sprague said over-prescribing of painkillers is what sparks heroin use and said more should be done in the medical industry to limit refills on opioid painkillers.
Rettig admitted something should be done to stop over-prescribing, but argued for more aggressive sentences for drug dealers.
Rettig's approach to the problem "quite frankly is a prescription to continue the problem," Sprague said. "The place we need to be aggressive is in the medical system," he said.
The candidates did agree on some topics, such as a bill Sprague introduced to make abuse-deterrent painkillers more available. Abuse-deterrent pills cannot be crushed or manipulated as easily, Sprague has said.
Both candidates also support efforts to defund Planned Parenthood in Ohio because some of the health provider's clinics offer abortions. Three of Planned Parenthood's 28 locations in Ohio provide abortions.
Most states, including Ohio, prohibit public funds from paying for abortions already, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Sprague said he voted for a bill to defund Planned Parenthood after videos surfaced last year, alleging that the group sold fetal tissue to researchers for a profit, in violation of federal law.
Planned Parenthood has denied any wrongdoing, saying a handful of its clinics provided fetal tissue for research while receiving only permissible reimbursement for costs.
Although Rettig supports defunding Planned Parenthood, he suggested it might be beneficial to use Planned Parenthood facilities strictly for women's health services because of their locations.
The winner of the GOP primary on March 15 will go on to face Democrat Mary Harshfield in the November general election. She is uncontested in the Democratic primary.
The 83rd District includes Hancock and Hardin counties and northern Logan County.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: OH: Sprague, Rettig Spar Over Medical Marijuana
Author: Max Filby
Photo Credit: Matthias Leguire
Website: The Courier
Findlay businessman Kevin Rettig, who is challenging state Rep. Robert Cole Sprague of Findlay in the March 15 primary, said he supports medical marijuana. Rettig spoke during a candidate forum Monday night at the University of Findlay, broadcast by UFTV, WFIN and WLFC.
"We should look at that and look at it seriously," Rettig said of medical marijuana.
The legalization of marijuana for recreational use should be left up to voters, Rettig said.
Rettig said Ohio voters may not be interested in recreational legalization after a statewide effort called Responsible Ohio was defeated in November. A state constitutional amendment would have allowed both medicinal and recreational use of marijuana, and would have created a monopoly for marijuana sales, opponents have said.
Sprague said he's "wholeheartedly against" marijuana legalization because he's seen the effects of drug addiction. Sprague also called the pot proposal that was defeated in November "offensive" because of the changes it would have made to the Ohio Constitution.
"We have more pressing matters," Sprague said.
Any medical use of marijuana's ingredients should go through the same approval process as other drugs used to treat illnesses, Sprague said.
Sprague said he's open to potential medicines that use cannabinoids to treat people with seizures and other conditions, so long as the THC is removed or reduced so much that people cannot get high from it.
Drug use and abuse was a recurring topic during the debate.
Sprague touted his work in trying to combat the state's prescription drug and heroin problem.
He mentioned how bills he supported will prevent a doctor from prescribing opioids to a minor without parental consent, and provide more education to students about the link between prescription drugs and heroin use.
Rettig criticized some of Sprague's efforts and referred to them as "one or two size fits all."
People should consider what it's like to be someone who is "truly in pain" and may need painkillers, Rettig said.
Sprague said over-prescribing of painkillers is what sparks heroin use and said more should be done in the medical industry to limit refills on opioid painkillers.
Rettig admitted something should be done to stop over-prescribing, but argued for more aggressive sentences for drug dealers.
Rettig's approach to the problem "quite frankly is a prescription to continue the problem," Sprague said. "The place we need to be aggressive is in the medical system," he said.
The candidates did agree on some topics, such as a bill Sprague introduced to make abuse-deterrent painkillers more available. Abuse-deterrent pills cannot be crushed or manipulated as easily, Sprague has said.
Both candidates also support efforts to defund Planned Parenthood in Ohio because some of the health provider's clinics offer abortions. Three of Planned Parenthood's 28 locations in Ohio provide abortions.
Most states, including Ohio, prohibit public funds from paying for abortions already, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Sprague said he voted for a bill to defund Planned Parenthood after videos surfaced last year, alleging that the group sold fetal tissue to researchers for a profit, in violation of federal law.
Planned Parenthood has denied any wrongdoing, saying a handful of its clinics provided fetal tissue for research while receiving only permissible reimbursement for costs.
Although Rettig supports defunding Planned Parenthood, he suggested it might be beneficial to use Planned Parenthood facilities strictly for women's health services because of their locations.
The winner of the GOP primary on March 15 will go on to face Democrat Mary Harshfield in the November general election. She is uncontested in the Democratic primary.
The 83rd District includes Hancock and Hardin counties and northern Logan County.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: OH: Sprague, Rettig Spar Over Medical Marijuana
Author: Max Filby
Photo Credit: Matthias Leguire
Website: The Courier