COLUMBUS, Ohio — On August 25, 2025, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called on the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to designate all natural and synthetic kratom compounds as Schedule I illegal drugs, citing their significant public health risks and lack of approved medical use. The move, if approved, would make Ohio the first state to comprehensively ban both current and future kratom compounds.

Kratom, a Southeast Asian plant, is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for consumption or medical purposes but is widely marketed for its alleged benefits in treating chronic pain, opioid dependence, anxiety, and depression. Available in forms like powders, pills, gummies, and drinks, kratom products are sold online and in stores, often in packaging appealing to youth. Governor DeWine hi

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