DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Ohio might become the first state in the nation to classify kratom as Schedule I and designate all natural and synthetic kratom compounds as illegal drugs.

This comes as Gov. Mike DeWine is sounding the alarm on kratom and calling on the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to take immediate action on it.

Kratom is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, ingesting its leaves gives a stimulant effect, in low doses, and a sedative effect, in high doses. It can lead to psychotic symptoms and dependence. Officials said its leaves have two major psychoactive ingredients, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragynine (7-OH).

DeWine’s statement said kratom is marketed for its purported ability to treat chronic pain, opioid dependence, opioid wit

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