COLUMBUS, Ohio —

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is urging the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to classify kratom as a Schedule I drug, citing it as an "imminent public health risk" due to its potential dangers, particularly for teenagers and babies.

Kratom, which is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, is sold in products like the Feel Free drink at gas stations and stores in Ohio and Kentucky. Advertisement

The governor's proposal would make Ohio the first state to take such strong action against kratom.

Doctors at Cincinnati Children's Hospital are raising alarms about its risks.

Dr. Stephanie Merher, a neonatologist, said, "Some of the moms who have taken this and not taken anything else, they have actually needed to go on buprenorphine or methadone to get off of this. It's that potent

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