Ohio is stepping up its efforts to combat addiction and the predatory practices that exploit those seeking help. Governor Mike DeWine has announced new rules for recovery homes, while the state grapples with the unregulated sale of kratom products.
These initiatives come as Ohio continues to address the fallout from the opioid crisis, which has left many communities vulnerable to exploitation.
New Regulations for Recovery Homes
Governor Mike DeWine, alongside Scioto County lawmakers, has proposed new rules and certification requirements for recovery homes. These homes provide crucial support for individuals emerging from drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The governor’s announcement reflects the industry’s rapid growth, with the number of recovery houses increasing from 356 in 2026 to over 1,700 today.
The proposed rule mirrors legislation passed by the House but not yet taken up by the Ohio Senate. This administrative rule can only last 180 days without legislative approval. The move comes in response to reports of unsafe and poor living conditions in some recovery homes, including infestations of mice and cockroaches. One provider noted that it’s easier to become a clinical provider and make money than it would be to open a Chipotle.
The dynamic has strained relations between local communities, providers, and those seeking to get clean. Scioto County, in particular, has been hit hard by the opioid crisis, with pharmaceutical distributors and pill mill operators selling over 64 million powerfully addictive painkillers between 2006 and 2019. Rep. Justin Pizzuli of Portsmouth highlighted that predatory practices are targeting impoverished areas, with cheap land and understaffed local governments making them attractive locations for such operations.
They know they can prey on impoverished areas Pizzuli stated. We were ground zero on the opioid epidemic, so of course, we’re crying on this issue first.
The Kratom Conundrum
Lawmakers have been trying since 2019 to regulate kratom, an opioid-like and largely unregulated drug sold at convenience stores statewide. Governor DeWine’s administration implemented a crackdown via emergency rule last year, which has held up so far in Franklin County courts.
But how much kratom are people actually buying? A clue can be found in the court docket: Botanic Tonics, makers of Feel Free kratom drink, report selling 59,000 bottles per day ($10 each) in Ohio. This amounts to roughly 21.5 million bottles a year a pace that has at times outsold 5-Hour Energy.
Behind the hundreds of millions of dollars flowing into the kratom industry in Ohio is a long tail of addiction. Doctors and nurses have shared stories of patients seeking to detox from kratom addiction. One Xenia man described how his habit cost him $10,000 in one year his job, and his marriage.
Ohio regulators have imposed a partial crackdown, banning sales of processed kratom products, including the hyperpotent 7-OH derivative and kratom-based products like Feel Free. However, the ban ignores the kratom plant itself, to the chagrin of some officials.
Political Shifts and Controversies
In other news, U.S. Rep. Max Miller, a Bay Village Republican, has cemented his ballot slot despite facing allegations of domestic violence from his ex-wife and others. The damning headlines and aggressive denials from Miller have left Democrats believing they have a chance in what was expected to be a safe Republican seat.
The Cook Political Report has shifted the seat from likely Republican to tossup. Roll Call reports that the U.S. House Democrats’ campaign arm has added Brian Poindexter, a Brook Park union ironworker running for the seat, to its Red to Blue list.
With 81 days until Election Day, the political landscape in Ohio continues to evolve. Governor DeWine’s recent actions and the ongoing controversies surrounding figures like Max Miller highlight the state’s dynamic and often contentious approach to addressing critical issues.
