Overview

• If approved, Ohio would be the first state to outlaw both natural and synthetic kratom products, requiring retailers to remove them from shelves.
• The request covers mitragynine, 7‑hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, as well as future synthetic variations.
• Gov. Mike DeWine characterizes modified kratom items as over‑the‑counter opiates accessible to youth and urges the Board of Pharmacy to act quickly.
• Ohio reports poison-control exposures rising from 32 cases in 2020 to a pace of 115 this year, according to Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff.
• No kratom products are FDA‑approved, and federal officials have recommended scheduling 7‑hydroxymitragynine as the DEA’s rulemaking continues.