Agriculture Committee March 17, 2026
Ohio House of Representatives
1 Capitol Sq
Columbus, OH 43215
Dear Chairman Klopfenstein, Ranking Member Miller, and members of the Committee,
As a consumer advocacy group that fights for lifestyle freedom, harm reduction, and smart policy, we write to you today with concerns about HB 587.
We commend the efforts of this body to create an appropriate regulatory framework and regulations for the market of kratom and kratom alkaloids such as 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) in the state of Ohio, as is found in this bill.
The emphasis on appropriate registration with state authorities, dosage and labeling standards, and especially age restrictions are the correct approach to offering reasonable rules that will help protect consumers and kids while balancing the needs of patients who have found some use for these products.
These are measures we support and have recommended to lawmakers in our own research (A Roadmap for Smart Regulation (not prohibition) of 7-OH and Kratom).
However, the bill as currently written would enforce a cap on 7-hydroxymitragynine levels (no greater than 2% of the alkaloid composition and no greater than one milligram per serving in its final product form) that would, in practice, constitute an effective ban on these products (lines 267-273). It would introduce prohibition, and as we know from history, prohibited products don’t disappear, they simply migrate to unregulated markets where there are no dosage standards, no labeling, and no age checks.
For many Ohioans who are using 7-OH and kratom products for pain relief and as an alternative to opioids, this would likely cause more harm than good. This is especially concerning when we consider the progress made thus far on avoiding opioid overdose deaths.
According to the CDC, total drug overdose deaths in Ohio have fallen nearly 35%, reducing from 4,847 overdose deaths in 2023 to 3,136 in 2024. A marked drop is also estimated when 2025 figures are finalized.
A significant portion of overdoses have been tied to illicit substances, particularly opioids. These figures coincide with the growing market of kratom and kratom alkaloids like 7-OH over the past two years as some consumers have adopted them as opioid alternatives. While declining overdoses is positive, more needs to be done.
Knowing the scientific evidence that has been compiled on these substances and their historic use, we believe this step would be inappropriate and would erase the gains made in recent years on opioid overdoses.
Smart regulatory policy on kratom and its alkaloids would help prevent overdoses, preserve legitimate access for pain and withdrawal management, and ensure youth access is restricted. While this bill is a helpful first step in creating a regulatory system, the limits described herein (lines 267-273) would create prohibition rather than responsible regulation.
We would support this bill if the cap in lines 267-273 is amended; as currently written, we cannot.
We welcome the opportunity to work with you to implement a safe regulatory framework that will protect Ohioans and preserve consumer access to regulated products.
Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Yaël Ossowski
Deputy Director
Consumer Choice Center
