Ohio Governor Mike DeWine delivers his State of the State address in the Ohio House chambers at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (Pool photo: Samantha Madar, Columbus Dispatch.)
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy issued an executive order extraordinary ruling Friday banning most kratom products.
This was in response to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine again requesting this from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy last week declared all natural and synthetic Kratom compounds illegal drugs.
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DeWine originally made the request in August, but put his call for a Kratom ban on hold after speaking with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“In reviewing this issue over the past several weeks, national experts, including the (Food and Drug Administration), have agreed that synthetic Kratom compounds should be considered illegal,” DeWine said in a statement last week.
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy emergency rule prohibits the sale, possession or distribution of any Kratom-related products – including synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, known as 7-OH. Products consisting solely of The only exception is mitragynine, which contains natural kratom in plant form. A product containing mitragynine and another derivative of Kratom, such as 7-OH, would be illegal to sell, possess or distribute.
The emergency ruling is in effect for 180 days, meaning it will expire on June 10, 2026. The board said it will propose a lasting rule banning all Kratom-related products at that time.
Kratom is a tropical tree to Southeast Asia, and its leaves can be crushed and burned, steamed or placed in gel capsules. Consuming it in petite doses can cause a stimulant effect, while gigantic doses can cause a sedative effect. People often take Kratom to treat chronic pain, opioid addiction, anxiety, and depression.
According to estimates from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, yes 1.6 million Kratom users annually in the United States. Reported side effects of Kratom include high blood pressure, confusion, seizures, weight loss, vomiting, dizziness, and drowsiness.
Kratom is not controlled under the Controlled Substances Act or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against using kratom due to adverse risk effects such as liver toxicity, seizures, and substance operate disorders.
The synthetic version of Kratom, concentrated with 7-OH, is an opioid-like substance and summer The FDA has recommended planning for 7-OH products in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act. The FDA has clarified that it is not focusing on natural kratom leaf products.
According to data from poison control centers in the United States, there were more than 3,400 reports of Kratom operate, including deaths, between 2014 and 2019. Mayo Clinic. According to preliminary data from the Ohio Department of Health, Kratom was responsible for more than 200 unintentional overdose deaths in Ohio between 2019 and 2024.
However, most deaths are also due to Kratom involved other drugs or substances– reports the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
“While there is a clear path for action on synthetic Kratom, I continue to have deep concerns about natural Kratom given the harms attributed to it, including fatalities,” DeWine said. “Continuing the regular process of enacting a ban on natural Kratom will enable hearings, testimony, and a debate process.”
Senator from Ohio Bill Blessing, R-Colerain Township, was introduced Ohio Senate Bill 299what would regulate natural Kratom products and ban the synthetic version. He had the bill sponsor’s testimony.
Ohio Republican Reps. Mike Odioso and Brian Lorenz recently introduced this Ohio House Bill 587accompanying bill.
This is it is illegal to buy, operate or possess Kratom in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. Kratom is illegal in some countries including, but not circumscribed to, Australia, Denmark, Israel and Japan.
Follow a Capital Journal reporter Megan Henry in Bluesky.
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