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Rivals question Rep. Martin’s ‘no’ on synthetic drug ban

Contributed photo State Representative Jarrod Martin (R-Beavercreek).

In this file photo Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies confiscated synthetic marijuana in a local bust. State Rep. Jarrod Martin, R-Beavercreek, cast the lone “no” in the 97-1 vote last year for legislation that banned synthetic drugs like K2, Spice and bath salts and established criminal sanctions for their use. Martin’s rivals in the March 6 Republican primary for the 73rd Ohio House seat have questioned why Martin voted differently than every other House member.

Staff photo by Kareem Elgazzar In this file photo Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies confiscated synthetic marijuana in a local bust. State Rep. Jarrod Martin, R-Beavercreek, cast the lone “no” in the 97-1 vote last year for legislation that banned synthetic drugs like K2, Spice and bath salts and established criminal sanctions for their use. Martin’s rivals in the March 6 Republican primary for the 73rd Ohio House seat have questioned why Martin voted differently than every other House member.

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A $10,000 grant from a Dayton-area hospital association will help medical and law enforcement personnel identify the ever-changing ingredients in deadly designer drugs such as “bath salts.” The Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association on Tuesday announced a partnership with the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory, which has investigated 17 deaths stemming from synthetic stimulant use since March 2011.

Staff photo by Ty Greenlees A $10,000 grant from a Dayton-area hospital association will help medical and law enforcement personnel identify the ever-changing ingredients in deadly designer drugs such as “bath salts.” The Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association on Tuesday announced a partnership with the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory, which has investigated 17 deaths stemming from synthetic stimulant use since March 2011.

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By Mark Gokavi, Staff Writer Updated 8:18 AM Thursday, February 9, 2012

FAIRBORN — State Rep. Jarrod Martin, R-Beavercreek, cast the lone “no” in the 97-1 vote last year for legislation that banned synthetic drugs like K2, Spice and bath salts and established criminal sanctions for their use.

Martin’s rivals in the March 6 Republican primary for the 73rd Ohio House seat have questioned why Martin voted differently than every other House member.

Martin is running against Greene County Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Spicer and Greene County Commissioner Rick Perales. The Democratic primary pits Linda Borgert against Bill Conner.

“This was a dangerous, dangerous drug being sold to children over the counter in convenience stores,” Spicer said while attending a candidates’ forum at the Fairborn Senior Center Tuesday night. “That’s what the law was about.”

Perales said he had not read the bill’s minutiae but that he was for the ban on such substances.

“I think it’s the right thing to do,” Perales said. “It’s smart (legislation). It curtails some bad elements and some bad practices going on. I don’t see a bad side to that.

“(Martin) should be able to defend what he votes like anyone out there. He know he’s going to be called on it.”

Martin, a two-time incumbent, said the synthetic marijuana vote came on the heels of House Bill 86, a package of prison reforms.

“I just kind of thought it was very hypocritical that here we’re trying to take some of these non-violent criminals and get them out of the system and then on the other hand we’re going to put this other thing in there for what we’re going to put these people in jail for,” Martin said. “I’m not for the stuff. But I just felt that there was a different approach to handle it better than what they have.”

Martin joked that after the vote, State Rep. Bobby Hagen (D-Youngstown) asked him if he would co-sponsor his medical marijuana bill.

Martin then reiterated: “I’m not in favor of Spice or medical marijuana. There were parts of the bill that criminalized it that I just didn’t agree with.”

Spicer said he did not buy Martin’s reasoning.

“He voted against that and that doesn’t represent the values (of Greene County),” Spicer said. “I know he’s got a convenient answer now as to why, but it doesn’t make sense.

“I’m glad it passed — 97 to 1 tells the story.”

Contact this reporter at (937)  225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDaily News.com.

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