COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Wednesday that he is formally requesting the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to immediately classify all synthetic kratom compounds and other kratom-derived chemical substances as illegal drugs through emergency rulemaking.

The move follows a temporary pause as the state evaluated potential federal action on the increasingly popular — and increasingly dangerous — substance.

While DeWine is urging an emergency ban on synthetic kratom, he is also asking the Board to begin the regular rulemaking process to consider scheduling mitragynine , the active compound in natural kratom, as a controlled substance. This longer process would allow for public hearings, testimony, and expert review.

Governor: Synthetic Kratom Poses Immediate Danger

“In reviewin

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