COLUMBUS — Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday signed an executive order immediately banning synthetic kratom statewide after the Ohio Board of Pharmacy approved an emergency rule to designate the substance as a Schedule I illegal drug.
The actions came one day after Mr. DeWine called on the board to immediately ban all synthetic kratom, also known as mitragynine-related compounds, citing the opinions of national experts on the issue. The governor also asked the board to schedule natural kratom through the regular rulemaking process, which will allow for hearings and testimony on the issue.
Toledo City Council recently voted to prohibit the sale of synthetic kratom within city limits, but the products remained available for purchase in nearby communities…