Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Attorney General Andy Wilson announced a public bulletin Nov. 6 warning that some products sold as dietary supplements, particularly those labeled as the herb cat’s claw, contain synthetic kratom and other illegal drugs.
The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation issued the bulletin. Cat’s claw is legal, but the state has confirmed multiple cases in which products marketed as cat’s claw actually contained synthetic kratom, which Ohio banned in 2025.
In one case, authorities recovered a package of “Happy Daze Botanical Mango,” labeled as 375 milligrams of cat’s claw, at the scene of a fatal overdose. BCI forensic analysis found synthetic kratom in the package; toxicology results are pending.
Synthetic kratom compounds produce opioid-like effects, are highly addictive and have been linked to psychosis, seizures, insomnia, hallucinations and death. Ohio has also identified mislabeled products containing synthetic opioids and LSD, and several other states have documented adulterated cat’s claw products.
The bulletin said these “gray market” supplements often come in brightly colored packaging and advertise natural ingredients while carrying hospitalization and overdose risks.
“We strongly encourage individuals to avoid purchasing herbal supplements from places like gas stations and vape shops,” Mr. DeWine said. “There is no quality control on these products, so those who ingest them are taking a serious gamble with their health.”
Mr. Wilson said selling the products endangers lives and exposes retailers to serious legal liability, and he urged lawmakers to partner with law enforcement to keep mislabeled products off store shelves.
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