Ohio’s new kratom restrictions were among the issues commanding attention yesterday at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s (OMA) Safety & Workers’ Compensation Committee meeting, where members dug into a broad mix of workplace safety, workers’ compensation and compliance challenges. The program included a presentation on kratom from Cameron McNamee of the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, along with discussion of key court decisions, marijuana law changes and drug-free workplace legislation.

Committee members reviewed Ohio’s recent crackdown on certain synthetic kratom derivatives, which had been sold freely without warning labels and commonly described as “gas station heroin” before the state moved to impose lasting restrictions. Kratom can produce opioid-like effects and may impair judgment, reaction time and motor skills, raising concerns in safety-sensitive workplaces. Another challenge for employers is that kratom typically does not appear on standard workplace drug screens, meaning employers must request a specialized test from their drug testing provider to detect it.

“One of the biggest benefits for members was being able to hear directly from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy about an emerging issue that carries real workplace safety implications,” said Jacob Sargent, OMA director of public policy services. “That kind of access helps employers stay informed and better prepared.” 4/16/2026