TOLEDO, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is urging lawmakers to ban both natural and synthetic kratom across the state, citing safety concerns about the unregulated substance.
Kratom is a plant-based drug native to Southeast Asia. It is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration but is sold widely in powders, pills, gummies and drinks.
That includes Kava Culture Kava Bar, a bar that opened at Monroe Street and Talmadge Road in February. Owner Chris Kaminski said his business is growing as more customers try kratom in drink form…