COLUMBUS – Gov. Mike DeWine ordered the Ohio Pharmacy Board on Monday to categorize kratom, both the natural plant and any synthetic products, as an illegal drug.
1. Why Ohio Officials Want to Ban Kratom
Kratom, a botanical herb from Asia, has naturally occurring trace amounts of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which can have both stimulant and sedative effects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in July it would move to schedule 7-OH, an opiate that can be found at corner stores and gas stations across the state and country, StateHouse News reports.
Preliminary data from the Ohio Department of Health reveals more than 200 unintentional overdose deaths between 2019 and 2024. These deaths came from synthetic kratom, and the substance appears in everything from tablets to edibles to drinks.
On Tuesday, ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff emphasized growing concerns among healthcare professionals. “Many in the medical community have warned against using kratom at this time. That’s because it can cause very serious harm, and it hasn’t been rigorously studied for safety and efficacy,” he said.
2. Advocates Push for Regulation Over Prohibition
Mac Haddow, senior public policy fellow at the American Kratom Association, warned in early August that most kratom products on the market are now manufactured for maximum potency.
In his words, “We should avoid overregulating ethical businesses. But for the bad actors, let’s remove them, because they’re destroying the integrity of the kratom industry.”
The association has already helped regulate kratom in 18 states. According to Haddow, Ohio is one of their top priorities for similar rules — not for an outright ban, but for responsible oversight. So far, federal attempts to schedule kratom have failed. Despite that, Haddow continues to defend natural kratom, claiming it can offer energy and potential health benefits. However, the FDA still refuses to approve kratom for consumption or medical use.
3. Could Ohio Become the First State to Classify Kratom as a Schedule I Drug?
“I’m against any business that is going to sell a product that doesn’t meet the criteria to protect consumers,” he said.
If DeWine gets his wish, Ohio would be the first state in the country to label kratom as a Schedule I drug.
Ohio lawmakers have repeatedly considered bills to regulate kratom and cannabinoid derivatives such as delta-8 THC. They discussed these proposals during this legislative session and in previous ones as well. However, none of the bills have reached DeWine’s desk yet.
Story was published by Statehouse News Bureau
Final Thoughts
The debate over kratom is far from settled. While Governor DeWine pushes for an outright ban to protect public safety, advocates argue for responsible regulation rather than prohibition. Transparency, quality control, and consumer education should come before criminalization. As this issue unfolds, Ohio could set a national precedent, for better or worse.
If you’re interested in following more stories like this, be sure to read our latest coverage.
FAQs:
1. Why does Ohio want to ban kratom now?
Governor DeWine is seeking the ban due to rising overdose deaths linked to synthetic kratom products and concerns from health officials about its unregulated potency and potential risks.
2. Is natural kratom considered safe?
Supporters claim that natural kratom can offer energy and wellness benefits when used responsibly. However, the FDA has not approved it for medical use, and critics argue that most products on the market are highly processed and lack safety oversight.
