Is Kratom Legal in Ohio? [Laws, Effects, & Best Products]
October 1, 2021
Kratom is largely available in the United States except, of course, in places where there are explicit rules about its legality. Those in Ohio or are looking to visit the state may be curious, “Is kratom legal in Ohio?”
This plant gradually became popular in Ohio, thanks to its benefits such as stress relief and improved moods. It has a lot to offer in the health and lifestyle aspect, which is why it is sought after across the globe.
Its popularity in the United States has made it a subject of legislation in different states. What does Ohio law say about kratom? You can learn more about it through this guide.
Table of Contents
What is Kratom?
Let us talk about the tree itself before answering the question, “Is kratom legal in Ohio?” The first thing you need to know about it is that it is a tropical tree that is indigenous to Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
It grows optimally in tropical climates, which is what these countries experience. Growers in different parts of the world need to provide similar conditions for their trees to grow and reach their full potential.
Natives have used its leaves as folk treatments for fatigue, pain, diarrhea, and fever — even diabetes. They usually dry the leaves and grind them into powder, which they use to make tea. Those who have easy access to trees also chew fresh leaves.
Indigenous people in these areas have been harnessing the advantages offered by this tree for decades. When consumed, people typically experience a boost in energy, pain and inflammation relief, uplifted disposition, and so much more.
While its applications and advantages have been known to Southeast Asians for a long time, the rest of the world has only been catching up. The good news is that this awareness has resulted in numerous studies exploring its potential.
Kratom is considered a novel psychoactive substance. According to research published in Front Psychiatry, this tree is used throughout history as a stimulant. In fact, it has been referred to as an opium substitute for people in Southeast Asia.
Its scientific name is Mitragyna speciosa. The genus Mitragyna is under the Coffea family, which means that it has links to coffee. In fact, coffee is considered an alternative to kratom, along with other Mitragyna species like javanica and hirsuta.
Is Kratom Legal in Ohio?
So, is kratom legal in Ohio? Kratom is generally available in the United States, except for Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, all of which have legislation against the plant.
Meanwhile, only four states have positive legislation surrounding Mitragyna speciosa, particularly Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Utah.
These states have their own versions of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). Which is a law that makes kratom legal and regulated.
So, what happens to kratom in states that do not currently have any legislation pertaining to the plant? The answer is easy: the plant is not covered by any law that regulates it or makes it illegal.
Is kratom legal in Ohio? Yes. There is currently no kratom ban in 2021 in Ohio. You can get your hands on kratom in Ohio. You can also sell and possess it while in the state.
However, you need to be aware that it is only legal in the state in powder form. Authorities in Ohio have a history of raiding stores that sell them as different products. It cannot be sold as food.
The general rule in Ohio is that products that are not acknowledged by the FDA as “generally recognized as safe” are to be labeled as “not for human consumption.”
The FDA is yet to approve kratom as a safe herb. In fact, it has successfully requested the seizure of over 207,000 units of supplements and ingredients that contain kratom as recently as May 2021. It also obtained 34,000 kilograms of kratom in bulk.
With Ohio basing its rules on FDA policies on kratom, you should not be surprised if you find kratom products only in powder form and are labeled as “not for human consumption.”
Another important factor to consider is that there have been efforts to ban kratom in the state. An example of this is the Board of Pharmacy’s vote to place the plant in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
The good news is there have been attempts to make kratom accessible through a licensing program. The bill, House Bill 318, was proposed in 2019. However, it did not go any further after it was introduced.
Another bill, House Bill 236, has just been introduced. It seeks to regulate kratom and make it accessible for consumers. It also seeks to establish a licensing program in the state.
What are the Benefits & Side Effects of Kratom?
Kratom is a well-known plant because of potential advantages that are backed with scientific and anecdotal evidence.
This plant is valued by many because of its ability to boost energy and focus, just like its extremely popular cousin, coffee. However, kratom works in different ways.
It interacts with opioid receptors in the nervous system, which means that it affects parts of the brain, particularly those in charge of energy and concentration. Keep in mind that coffee also binds to receptors in the nervous system, but these are adenosine receptors.
Many people also consume kratom to ease their pain. Remember, alkaloids like mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine – the primary chemicals in kratom – bind with opioid receptors, which are also present in parts of the brain that manage pain and pleasure.
Given this, it is easy to understand how it can elevate your mood. Researchers found that a certain level of mitragynine in animal models can increase the dopamine transporter and dopamine itself. Dopamine is considered a happy or feel-good hormone.
If needed and taken correctly, you can also use this plant as a sleep aid. Its relaxing effects can help you get into the right state of mind for sleep. Just take note that any chemical compound can affect different people in varying degrees, so results may differ.
However, you need to watch out when consuming this plant. Studies have shown that it can cause addiction-like behaviors in animal subjects when administered continuously for extended periods.
Consuming kratom for a long time and suddenly stopping can also result in withdrawal. Prominent side effects such as dehydration, mood swings, tension, sadness, pain, fever, and many more.
You should also remember that abusing this plant can lead to grave conditions such as seizures, kidney and liver injuries, cognitive impairment, and lung injury.
If you are intent on trying kratom, you can start with capsules because these are easier to manage dosage-wise. You can also go for liquid extracts, which allow you to place a few drops as a form of measurement.
However, you can definitely try kratom powder, which you can brew into tea or blend into juices. The possibility is endless with this choice.
Plus, you can choose from a whole lot of strains, from white and yellow varieties to red, yellow, and brown kinds. One of the strongest types is Maeng Da.
However, keep in mind that potency or strength depends on the amount and type of alkaloids it contains. Some strains are strong in terms of having high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine, while others have more mitragynine.
Where to Buy Best Kratom Products in Ohio?
Is kratom legal in Ohio in 2021? You get a favorable answer for this one, and you should take this chance to try out the plant if you haven’t already. Looking to buy kratom in Ohio but don’t know where or what to get? Check out these products.
White Borneo Kratom is from trees in Borneo, one of the best places to get kratom from. It has just the right climate, which helps trees develop the optimal amount of alkaloids. This has potent properties thanks to this.
This powder is made from young leaves, which are known to be rich in mitragynine. This offers antitussive, analgesic, and probably psychoactive effects. Plus, it is known to be fast-acting for immediate results.
You can consume it by brewing it into tea or by washing it down with water. It comes in 50-, 100-, 250-, 500-, and 1000-gram packs.
Gold Bali Capsules is the best choice for people interested in getting discreet-looking kratom products. It looks just like any other supplement. Plus, you can easily intake it anytime, anywhere.
This has a balanced amount of alkaloids, so you can reap the benefits of both primary alkaloids. You can get this in bottles with 60, 180, and 360 capsules.
White Horn Capsules is another discreet and convenient choice. White Horn is a rare strain because of limited sources, so having the chance to try it is a great thing.
It has elevated levels of both primary alkaloids, so you can expect a balanced experience. You can get this in different sizes of bottles with varying amounts of kratom content.
Red Thai Powder comes from red-veined leaves, so it is bound to have the most 7-hydroxymitragynine content combined with a certain level of mitragynine. You can expect psychoactive effects from this one.
It is considered by many as having a similar potency as Red Maeng Da. It is available in packs of 50 to 1000 grams.
Conclusion
Kratom is a great natural and therapeutic option. Ohio residents are lucky enough to have kratom powder available to them. For high-quality products, take a look at Kratom Krush’s catalog.