Ohio’s Kratom Crossroads: Ban or Regulate?

For much of year 2025, the Ohio governor, lawmakers, and residents were in a fiery, public battle over the future of kratom and 7-OH in the state. Governor Mike DeWine called for a statewide ban on all kratom products, while lawmakers and health officials consider whether targeted regulation might be a better approach.

December 2025: Ohio governor signs an executive order banning all synthetic kratom

After a months long pause at the end of 2025, Kratom resurfaced all over the news again in Ohio. On Friday, December 12th, Governor Dewine signed an executive order making all forms of synthetic kratom illegal in the state. This includes the derivative 7-OH. The ban on synthetic kratom is set to last 180 days, and in the interim, the substance will undergo typical scheduling procedures so it can be permanently scheduled. The natural compound in kratom, mitragynine, remains legal for now, and will follow typical scheduling protocol and undergo investigation by the Ohio board of pharmacy to determine if it should be scheduled. 

What are kratom and 7-OH?

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia that has been used for centuries. In small doses, it acts like a stimulant, providing energy, increased focus, and mood boosting, while in larger doses it acts like an opioid, producing pain-relieving and sedative effects.  (NIH Kratom) 

7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a concentrated, often synthetic, version of kratom. It’s way stronger and acts directly on opioid receptors, creating greater pain-relieving and sedative effects, with high potential for abuse and addiction.

Ohio Governor DeWine’s call for a complete ban on all kratom products

On August 25, 2025, Governor Mike DeWine called upon the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to immediately designate all natural and synthetic kratom compounds as illegal drugs. Proclaiming it is an imminent public health risk, he urged the board to act quickly to classify all kratom compounds and future alterations of them as Schedule I illegal drugs.

DeWine argued that “These modified kratom products, sold online and in stores, are essentially legal, over-the-counter opiates that anyone – including kids – can buy with just a few bucks”

He also cited numerous deaths in the state caused by the product, reports of newborns with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome at birth, and a rising number of calls to the poison control centers regarding Kratom.

This complete ban on all Kratom derivatives, current and future, would have been the strictest in the nation.

The Feds get involved in Ohio governors descision to schedule kratom

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy initially scheduled an emergency meeting for August 27 to consider the governor’s request.

Just before the meeting was scheduled to begin, Governor DeWine himself cancelled the meeting, following a conversation with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. DeWine’s spokesman told The Statehouse News Bureau that the governor “still intends to request a Kratom ban, and the pause was in part to allow for conversation with the FDA per the Secretary.”

Does the Ohio governor still support a complete kratom ban?

Since that cancelled meeting, no new statement has been received from the governor’s office regarding his stance on the issue. It’s now unclear whether Governor DeWine still supports a full statewide ban or if he may be open to a more limited, regulatory approach.

State Senator Louis W. Blessing III offered his own interpretation of the situation, saying the Board’s pause might have been a way to prompt lawmakers to take up the issue directly. “I think the pharmacy board stuff … was throwing a wild pitch there at the General Assembly to say let’s back off the plate here and start getting into gear on kratom as well,” Blessing said.

Senator Blessings introduces a new bill to regulate Kratom and ban 7-OH

On Oct 21 2025, State Senator Louis W. Blessing III, (R- Colerain Township) introduced Senate Bill 299 , a more targeted alternative to kratom regulation, as opposed to the governor’s proposed full ban.

“I don’t think this is something that would put us at odds with the administration,” Sen. Blessing said. “I think this is something that they would like to see.”

Blessing’s bill would specifically ban 7-OH products, while allowing the sale of natural kratom leaf and powder. He argues that the state should target the dangerous synthetic forms rather than criminalizing consumers who use natural kratom responsibly. His proposal mirrors the Kratom Consumer Protection Acts (KCPAs) already adopted in some states. In Utah, Florida, and Georgia, 7-OH products are banned while natural kratom is legal, yet regulated.

The 2 sides of the debate around kratom in Ohio

The debate over kratom is strong and loud. On one side, you have the governor’s office advocating for a complete ban, on the other side are elected officials and kratom advocates arguing for regulation and oversight.

The American Kratom Association (AKA) argues that a complete ban would just push sales underground, remove consumer protections, and harm Ohio residents who use kratom safely for pain or mental-health support. These groups support a system of regulation, testing, and age restrictions to provide safe and transparent access to natural kratom products

The American Kratom Association said in a statement that it “supports regulating synthetic products but opposes an all-out ban. The association believes the real risk comes from synthetic versions (namely, 7-OH) created in labs, not the kratom plant itself.”

What Ohio residents have to say about the proposed kratom and 7-OH ban

Many Ohio residents, personally affected by kratom and 7-OH, have been vocal supporters of the kratom ban.

On Oct 8, 2025, WSYX ABC 6 news reported that the governor “faces scrutiny over kratom regulation delay after synthetic hemp ban.” Reporters angrily questioned why the governor banned synthetic hemp, which has been blamed for only one death, while kratom, which is responsible for numerous deaths, remains legal and accessible.

In an article on News 5 Cleveland, a 22 year old kratom user from Cleveland, warns that “It’s a tease.” She said she became addicted to kratom after she got clean from heroin. “I think it’s a big way to relapse.”

In another item on WSYX ABC 6 news, a Colombus woman blames 7-OH for her husband’s death. “He wasn’t out seeking to get hard core narcotics… He just wanted something to give him energy, give him a mood booster… he admitted he was “duped” by the pills he thought would give him an energy boost.”

Citizens are increasingly frustrated that the products seem so innocent at first, and are then causing so much harm, are still completely legal and easy to obtain.

Will the bill to regulate kratom become law?

The bill is currently in the Senate General Government Committee and has not yet received a hearing or vote.

The bill has drawn bipartisan interest and industry backing, but in order to pass this session (which ends in December 2026), it needs to move quickly through committee hearings, votes in both the House and Senate, and finally receive the governor’s signature. This process can take six months to a year.

“I think it’s probably a pretty good bet that we can get out of the Senate. Whether it gets across the finish line… it’s hard for me to handicap that one,” said Senator Blessing told WSYX ABC news.

Why Ohio’s decision matters nationally

Kratom and 7-OH use is not just Ohio’s issue; it’s a national problem. In nearly every state, and on a federal level, lawmakers are debating the best way to handle the issue.

The FDA, DEA, AKA, and other agencies are looking to Ohio to see what kind of stance they end up adopting.

If Ohio can successfully ban the more potent 7-OH, while keeping natural Kratom products safe and accessible, this can set a precedent for other states, and the national government to follow. Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy of the American Kratom Association said “By focusing on removing dangerous synthetics while regulating natural kratom responsibly, Ohio can set a strong example for other states to follow.”

Bottom line: Is kratom still legal in Ohio?

As of October 2025, kratom and 7-OH remain legal in Ohio. Natural kratom leaf and powder can still be sold and possessed, though extracts, gummies, and other enhanced products are limited under local food-safety rules.

A bill to ban 7-OH and tightly regulate Kratom production and sales is underway, and Ohio citizens and lawmakers are watching closely to see where this will lead us.

Help for kratom and 7-OH addiction in Ohio

If you or a loved one in Ohio is battling a kratom or 7-OH addiction, our team is here for you. We have years of experience treating substance abuse disorders, and you can be our next success. 

Recovery is possible. Call us today for compassionate, confidential help.