"A False Sense of Security": Addiction Specialists Sound the Alarm on Unregulated Kratom

Recovery News | Mental Health & Addiction Recovery · Sep 18, 2026 · 2m

Walk into almost any smoke shop, gas station, or convenience store across Northeast Ohio, and you will find shelves lined with bright green powders, capsules, and liquid extracts marketed as all-natural herbal supplements. Sold under the name kratom, these products are frequently promoted as safe, organic remedies for chronic pain, anxiety, and fatigue. Because kratom remains legal to purchase over the counter in Ohio, many consumers assume it is entirely harmless. However, according to an eye-opening local investigation published by News 5 Cleveland, medical specialists and addiction…