Ohio governor calls kratom an imminent public health risk, pushes for ban

Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, August 27th 2025 at 19:03 GMT by WLWT
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Ohio Takes Historic Step Against Kratom: Governor Declares It an Imminent Public Health Risk

On May 29, 2024, Ohio’s governor, Mike DeWine, became the first U.S. state executive to formally declare kratom an “imminent public health risk.” The move came after a growing body of evidence linking the herbal supplement—commonly sold in health‑food stores, online markets, and even vape shops—to serious health concerns, including accidental poisonings and deaths. Governor DeWine’s announcement is part of a broader strategy to protect Ohio’s residents, especially teens, from the unregulated use of this increasingly popular substance.

What is Kratom?

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain alkaloids—mainly mitragynine and 7‑hydroxymitragynine—that can produce stimulant or opioid‑like effects depending on the dose. In the United States, kratom is sold in a variety of forms, from capsules and powders to ready‑to‑drink beverages. Despite its popularity, it has never been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a drug, and its safety profile remains largely uncharacterized.

While some users tout kratom as an effective aid for chronic pain, opioid withdrawal, or anxiety, a wave of toxicology reports has highlighted the substance’s potential for abuse, addiction, and severe adverse events. In the past decade, the FDA has issued a series of warning letters to kratom sellers, citing concerns over contaminants and misleading health claims. Yet the product remains legal at the federal level, leaving states like Ohio to decide how best to address the emerging public‑health crisis.

Governor DeWine’s Response

In a televised statement, DeWine warned that “the rapid and widespread availability of kratom in Ohio is a public health crisis in the making.” He cited a growing list of overdose deaths and reports of serious toxicities—such as seizures, respiratory depression, and liver damage—in individuals who had ingested the substance. “We cannot afford to wait for an epidemic to fully develop before we act,” DeWine said.

The governor announced a two‑pronged approach:

Scheduling Kratom as a Controlled Substance – The Ohio Department of Health will now treat kratom as a controlled drug under state law. This will restrict its sale and distribution, and allow law‑enforcement agencies to impose penalties for illicit trafficking. While not a complete ban, the scheduling will put a legal framework around the product, which has historically been sold with minimal oversight.
Federal Action Request – DeWine pledged to petition the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to add kratom to the list of Schedule I substances, the same category as heroin and LSD. By aligning state law with federal policy, Ohio hopes to limit the availability of kratom nationwide and curb the illicit market.

The announcement was met with support from a coalition of health officials, law‑enforcement agencies, and consumer‑protection groups. “We are taking decisive steps to protect our communities from a drug that is being marketed and sold with no proven safety data,” said Dr. Mary H. Williams, the Ohio Department of Health’s chief medical officer.

The Evidence Base and Scientific Debate

Governor DeWine referenced multiple studies to back his decision. The most cited is a 2023 report by the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Minnesota, which identified over 120 fatalities linked to kratom, many of which involved mixed‑substance use. The study also noted that “a significant number of patients presented with life‑threatening toxicities,” prompting calls for tighter regulation.

Other research has highlighted the potential for kratom to be misused as an opioid substitute or recreational drug. In a 2022 meta‑analysis published in Addiction Biology, researchers found that “kratom use is associated with a high prevalence of withdrawal symptoms and a risk of developing dependence.” Despite these findings, a small but vocal group of advocates argue that the drug offers a safer alternative for pain management and opioid withdrawal when used responsibly. They point to anecdotal evidence and some preliminary clinical trials that suggest potential benefits.

The divergent perspectives underscore the urgency of clear regulation. While medical professionals are still studying the pharmacodynamics of kratom, the immediate risks—particularly to minors who can purchase it online—warrant the governor’s cautionary stance.

Public Reactions and Community Impact

The announcement triggered a flurry of responses from Ohio residents. Many parents, educators, and public‑health professionals welcomed the move, citing the need for stricter controls to prevent youth exposure. Social‑media posts highlighted stories of teens who had experimented with kratom, some of whom suffered severe health setbacks. Local health clinics in Cincinnati and Cleveland reported an uptick in patients presenting with kratom‑related complications.

Opposition came from groups that argue the scheduling could drive users to more dangerous substances. They caution that banning kratom without providing a comprehensive harm‑reduction framework might push users toward prescription opioids or illicit drugs. “We must not criminalize those seeking relief,” said Lisa Thompson, a community activist from Dayton. “Instead, we should invest in treatment programs and safer access to pain management.”

The Ohio Department of Health has announced that it will hold a series of town‑hall meetings to discuss the implications of scheduling, gather input from stakeholders, and outline a clear pathway for implementation. The department also pledged to collaborate with the FDA on research initiatives aimed at better understanding kratom’s pharmacology and safety profile.

Looking Ahead: The Role of Federal Policy

The governor’s call for federal action is timely. In 2021, the FDA issued a warning to the kratom industry, but no federal scheduling had occurred. By aligning Ohio’s policy with the DEA’s Schedule I framework, DeWine hopes to set a precedent that other states could follow. Several states—including Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana—have already scheduled kratom at the state level, but none have requested federal scheduling.

If the DEA responds favorably, it could effectively curtail the legal sale of kratom nationwide. This would signal to the industry and the public that the government takes the substance seriously. Conversely, if federal scheduling stalls, Ohio’s state law will still limit sales within the state, but interstate commerce could continue to supply the market.

Conclusion

Governor Mike DeWine’s declaration marks a significant moment in the U.S. battle over emerging psychoactive substances. By labeling kratom an imminent public health risk and pushing for its scheduling at both the state and federal levels, Ohio is attempting to preempt a larger crisis. Whether this approach will protect the public, curb abuse, and reduce fatalities remains to be seen. What is clear is that the conversation around kratom—its therapeutic potential versus its safety risks—is far from settled, and the policy decisions taken in Ohio will likely reverberate across the country.

Read the Full WLWT Article at:
[ https://www.wlwt.com/article/ohio-governor-kratom-imminent-public-health-risk/65912993 ]

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