Ohio Gov. DeWine Says Mental Health Issues Increasing Due To Cannabis Use

DAYTON – With references to Ohio’s legalization of cannabis and the prevalence of social media in the lives of children, Gov. Mike DeWine Thursday toured the Dayton Children’s Hospital Mathile Center for Mental Health and Wellness.

DeWine said the opening of the $110 million center shows that Ohio is a “state that is a leader in mental health.”

“Dayton Children’s has really stepped up,” the governor said.

Gov. Mike DeWine

During the tour, DeWine expressed his dismay at the increase in juvenile cases across the state related to cannabis since its legalization in 2023.

According to Dr. Kelly Blankenship, Dayton Children’s associate chief medical officer, when the hospital first opened its mental health unit in 2019, there would be maybe one patient experiencing psychosis in the unit at any given time. Today, that number has risen to as many as five.

Blankenship attributes the rise to the increase in cannabis use among adolescents.

“Unbelievable,” said DeWine, who opposed the legalization of marijuana. “When you legalize it, it sends the message it’s OK.”

The Mathile Center consolidates and expands all of Dayton Children’s crisis mental health services under one roof, and doubles the number of inpatient mental health beds to 48 that the hospital provides.

The center begins accepting inpatients Wednesday.

Intentional self-harm was the top inpatient diagnoses in 2023, according to the hospital’s annual report.

During the governor’s tour, Blankenship and Dayton Children’s CEO Deborah Feldman pointed out special features through the facility designed to limit the potential risk to patients.

Furniture in common areas is either too heavy to lift and throw or too light to cause any damage if thrown. Shower curtains in rooms won’t support a person’s weight and tear away from the wall. Sensory lights in some rooms changes color to help calm and relax patients.