Gov. Mike DeWine is asking state regulators to immediately prohibit synthetic kratom compounds while taking a different approach to restricting the natural form of the controversial supplement.

The governor announced Thursday that he is directing the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to ban synthetic kratom compounds through emergency rules, requesting that synthetic versions of kratom be scheduled as an illegal drug.

For natural versions of kratom, or mitragynine, DeWine said that pursuing the standard rulemaking process would allow for public hearings and testimony rather than immediate prohibition.

“In reviewing this issue over the past few weeks, national experts, including the FDA, agree that synthetic kratom compounds should be scheduled as illegal,” DeWine said in a statement.

“However, wh

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