Gov. Mike DeWine ordered the Ohio Pharmacy Board to categorize kratom as an illegal drug in late August but then pumped the breaks shortly after.

DeWine said he still wants to see kratom, which can be found at corner stores and gas stations across the state and country, banned or heavily regulated. But that effort may need to come from the legislature, DeWine said.

“We’re working on that, kind of trying to work through what the facts are on that,” he said. “There will be something coming.”

The botanical herb from Asia has naturally occurring trace amounts of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which can have both stimulant and sedative effects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in July it would move to schedule 7-OH.

DeWine put his order on pause after a call with

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