COLUMBUS — As Ohio lawmakers consider legislation to regulate natural kratom and ban its synthetic derivative, they join several states that are also grappling with how to regulate these products.

Senate Bill 299 , sponsored by state Sen. Louis Blessing, a Colerain Township Republican, would require sellers, distributors and manufacturers of kratom to register with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The bill would also ban synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, known as 7-OH, limiting it to no more than one milligram, in products.

Kratom, derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa , contains psychoactive compounds that interact with opioid receptors. While some users promote it as a tool for pain relief or opioid withdrawal, others warn of its addictive potential — especially in syntheti

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