Last week, Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order that bans synthetic Kratom in Ohio. The popular drug that some claim can treat pain and other ailments, can be dangerous, especially in its synthetic form. Deadly, in fact.

"The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has warned that one of these compounds called 7-OH, could be the next wave of the opioid crisis," said director of Recovery Ohio, Erin Reed.

Reed says Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia, but has recently been marketed as a way to manage pain, anxiety and even opioid withdrawal.
But it's never been approved by the FDA for medical use.

Now studies are showing it contains compounds that can be deadly.

"It's as dangerous as any opioid street drug would be. Same side effects, same addictive properties," said Jessica Romeo, Mercy Health Community Educator and Dietician.

It has been found in powder form where it was sold in vape shops and even gas stations. Now all those businesses in Ohio who carried them are being ordered to dispose of them.

"It raises blood pressure, causes nausea and vomiting, there's been seizures because of its effect of being a stimulant in small doses and acting as an opiate in large doses so it's possible to overdose on this. Liver and kidney damage," added Romeo.

"There have been many toxicology reports that kratom has been harmful and a couple of hundred overdose deaths in the last five years. So it's definitely addictive, it's definitely being abused. it's very harmful," said Angela Barrett, First Step Recovery, Travco Behavioral Health.

People addicted to opioids have used kratom as a way to detox themselves but experts say that's something that really needs to be overseen by a professional.

"Alcohol withdrawal, opiate withdrawal those are some very serious medical conditions that need monitored by a physician. Trying to do that on your own can be fatal. We really want to provide both the medical treatment and the clinical counseling," Barrett added.

The state hopes to ban kratom permanently, following this 180 day temporary ban of kratom-related products.