Protect Natural Kratom – Follow the FDA’s Lead

Dear Governor DeWine and Members of the Ohio Board of Pharmacy,

I am writing as an Ohio resident to strongly oppose the Governor’s recent call to classify all kratom compounds as illegal drugs.

Your proposal goes far beyond what is necessary to protect public health. While I share concerns about synthetic concentrated products like 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) opioid products that are being targeted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, natural leaf kratom should not be included in this ban. The FDA and Florida have both made this line clear – ban concentrated synthetics, and keep access to natural leaf kratom.

Natural kratom leaf has been safely used for centuries in Southeast Asia and more than 23 million Americans today. For many, including myself, it is a vital tool and alternative that helps support my everyday life.

By criminalizing natural kratom, Ohio would:

• Unfairly punish responsible adults who use natural kratom safely.

• Push consumers toward unregulated black-market products.

• Ignore the FDA’s balanced approach that distinguishes between dangerous synthetics and natural leaf kratom.

I urge you to amend your proposal to focus only on synthetic kratom derivatives like concentrated synthetic 7-OH – not natural leaf kratom.

Please protect Ohioans’ freedom of choice while ensuring real public health risks are addressed responsibly.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City, Ohio]