Mitragynine (Kratom)
The State of Ohio, through emergency rule, has made it illegal to possess kratom-related products (e.g. 7-OH). If you currently have kratom-related products, please contact OSUPD at 614-292-2121, option 1, immediately to schedule a pick-up of the substance. If you plan to use kratom or kratom-related products in your research, please email controlledsubstances@osu.edu.
While the state has also released a draft rule to place kratom natural and synthetic analogs under Schedule I, which would permit research on it with a State license, it is currently illegal to possess. Changes to federal law regarding mitragynine may also be on the horizon. Read more from Ohio State's Drug Enforcement and Policy Center.
Marijuana
Although it remains a Schedule I substance, a federal Executive Order was issued to expedite the process of rescheduling marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance. If this rescheduling occurs, use of marijuana in research will still require State licensing and Federal registration, but fewer approvals may be required depending on the research activities. Research Compliance is monitoring for this change. Read more from Ohio State's Drug Enforcement and Policy Center.