Ohio calls for statewide ban on kratom amid overdose concerns; others argue against ban скачать в хорошем качестве

Ohio calls for statewide ban on kratom amid overdose concerns; others argue against ban

Governor Mike DeWine is advocating for a statewide ban on kratom, a substance marketed as a natural stimulant and pain reliever, due to its links to hundreds of overdose deaths across Ohio. Kratom, which mimics the effects of opioids on brain chemistry without the regulatory oversight faced by pharmaceutical companies, remains legal to sell in Ohio. However, its addictive potential is highlighted by numerous cases nationwide. Ohio Health Department Director Bruce Vanderhoff expressed concerns with the substance being legal. "The bottom line for me is that kratom is a drug that can cause serious problems. Right now, there are much safer, better-studied treatment options available for conditions that people have turned to kratom for," said Vanderhoff. Kratom is typically sold in powdered form or capsules, with packaging claims that it can aid in treating pain, manage depression, and boost energy. Ryan Raabe, owner of Kraken Vape, noted that kratom accounts for 65% of his sales. "You hear a lot of stories of our customers that have previously been addicted to an opioid, and they use kratom to stay off of that opioid," Raabe said. "There are thousands of people out there that consume this, and they use it every day to get them through the chronic pain that they suffer from, and if it were to be banned, that's going to push them back towards either illegal street drugs or prescription painkillers." Kratom is not approved by the FDA, which recently recommended that the kratom compound 7-OH be classified as an illegal drug. Amanda Costantino from the Center for Addiction Treatment has worked with clients experiencing kratom withdrawal. She described symptoms and health risks they face. "Looking at symptoms or health risks, like, we're talking about side effects associated with medication. Sweating, dry mouth, itchiness, increased urination, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. And then we get to these bigger side effects. Like you're talking about confusion, drowsiness, seizures, hallucinations, death, and things of that nature." Between 2019 and 2024, there have been more than 200 cases where kratom was linked to accidental overdose deaths. "Every case that I've had, in my professional opinion, it's been negative. Clients have had some type of negative consequence or negative symptom from it," Costantino said. If the Ohio Board of Pharmacy approves the ban, Ohio will become the first state to classify all strains of kratom as Schedule 1 drugs. Lawmakers in Kentucky are also considering regulating or banning kratom, while it is already illegal in Indiana. _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: WKRC on Facebook:   / wkrctv   WKRC on Twitter:   / local12   WKRC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/local12wkrc... WKRC on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@local12wkrc?l... Subscribe to WKRC on YouTube:    / @local12wkrc   For more information, visit https://www.local12.com/ Download the WKRC News app: https://local12.com/station/news-app Download the WKRC Weather app: https://local12.com/weather/weather-app Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 513.421.6872 WKRC is an OH based station and a CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #WKRC #LOCAL12 #cincinnati #news #cincinnatinews This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at [email protected]