DeWine, Cordray spar over crime, drugs

SANDUSKY — Ohio voters will decide only one state question in this fall's election — and the state's two leading candidates for governor have staked out sharply opposing views on it.Issue 1, placed on the ballot by a petition drive, is known as "The Neighborhood Safety, Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Amendment." If voters approve, it would reduce jail time for Ohio drug offenders.For example, it would mandate that possession of drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and LSD would only be misdemeanors and could not be felonies. It would ban any jail time for using such drugs unless it was the third offense within 24 months. The constitutional amendment seeks to be put more emphasis on rehabilitation and treatment.The Democratic nominee for governor, former attorney general Richard Cordray, endorsed the issue in July and told the Register on Friday he supports treatment for addiction over incarceration. "We need to be tough on crime, but we also need to be smart in how we use our limited resources to combat the opioid epidemic that is ravaging our state. Law enforcement leaders around Ohio tell me that we can't arrest our way out of this problem, and I agree," Cordray said. "We should be getting addicts the treatment they need, not giving them jail sentences at a huge cost to taxpayers. And we should be focusing our law enforcement resources on going after violent criminals and drug traffickers instead of individuals in the throes of addiction."Mike DeWine has failed as Ohio's 'top cop' in combating the opioid epidemic. He sat on his hands for years while the number of overdose deaths in our state more than tripled on his watch to among the worst in the nation. The Ohio Fraternal Order of Police has worked closely with both of us, and they overwhelmingly endorsed me for governor because they know I'll be a strong partner for them as we work to keep our communities safe."Ohio overdose deaths rose from 1,914 in 2012 to to 4,050 in 2016, according to statistics from the state health department, which hasn't released 2017 numbers yet. Republican candidate Mike DeWine, the current attorney general, is urging Ohioans to vote against the state question."Under State Issue 1, a drug dealer carrying enough fentanyl to kill 10,000 people would avoid jail time and be sent back onto the streets with just a misdemeanor charge – free to peddle their poison again. This issue is dangerous and reckless and will put all Ohioans at risk while making it tougher for law enforcement and courts to get drug dealers off our streets," DeWine said."I stand with sheriffs, prosecutors, and judges in adamantly opposing this free pass to the cartels and encourage Ohioans to vote no on Issue One," he said.The Libertarian candidate, Travis Irvine, said he backs Issue 1.""Even though it is far from perfect, I fully support Issue 1 because it moves the needle in the right direction—away from prosecuting and punishing non-violent people for behavior that doesn't harm their neighbors. I want to work steadily toward full legalization and decriminalization of the personal use of marijuana by adults," Irvine said. A group of local officials, including Sheriff Paul Sigsworth and Prosecutor Kevin Baxter, held a news conference Thursday to say they oppose passage of Issue 1.Up in smokeMichigan voters this fall will be deciding an issue to fully legalize marijuana, allowing sales in state-licensed stores, similar to the legalization in effect in western states such as Colorado and California.Ohio voters rejected a state question on legalization in 2015. It's not clear yet when another measure might get on the ballot.Cordray, who backs medical marijuana, has not come out in favor of legalization. But a spokesman, Mike Gwin, told the Marijuana Moment website last May that Cordray believes the 2015 proposal failed partially because it was flawed."He supports voters' right to propose a new referendum and will follow the will of the voters if it comes to a vote," Gwin told Marijuana Moment. Gwin confirmed this week those are still Cordray's views.DeWine is opposed to legalizing pot."The Attorney General believes strongly that legalizing more drug use is not the way to solve Ohio's opioid epidemic, nor will it help fix our workforce shortage," spokesman Joshua Eck told the Register.The Green Party's candidate for governor, Constance Gadell-Newton, and the Libertarian Party's candidate, Travis Irvine, both endorse legalization of marijuana on their campaign websites.Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.Richard Cordray. Mike DeWineConstance Gadell-Newton, the Green Party candidate for governor.Travis Irvine, the Libertarian Party's candidate for governor