SB299
Introduced in October 2025 is a regulatory bill aimed at controlling the sale and processing of kratom products. It is often referred to as a version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.  
HB587, companion bill of SB299
While the Board of Pharmacy is moving forward with rules to schedule kratom alkaloids

URGENT – CALL TO ACTION
The following was compiled including information directly from GKC and other sources.

Committee Hearing
Tuesday, March 24th at 2:00 PM

We have an incredible opportunity in Ohio to protect natural kratom and permanently push bad actors out of the market—but we need your help to get it across the finish line.
Senate Bill 299 is currently moving through the Ohio Senate General Government Committee. Unlike the ban bills we’ve fought in other states, SB 299 is a GOOD bill. It creates a strict regulatory and enforcement framework that ensures kratom products are unadulterated, accurately labeled, and safe for consumers.
This legislation safeguards consumer safety by establishing testing standards and age restrictions, while legally protecting the right of responsible adults to continue accessing safe, natural kratom products.

Submit Written Testimony & Register to Speak
We need a massive show of support. Submit written testimony or sign up to testify verbally using the state’s official PORTAL:

Deadline: Monday, March 23, 2026, by 2:00 PM.
Rule: Testimony must be submitted at least 24 hours before the scheduled committee hearing.

Submission Requirements

When you fill out the portal form, you will need to provide the following:

• Agenda Item: Select SB 299.
• Testifying As: Choose your position (e.g., Proponent if you support the bill).
• Testimony Type: Select “Written Only” or “Verbal and Written” (if you plan to speak in person).
• Format: Your testimony must be uploaded as a PDF document.
• Personal Info: Your name, email, and physical address are required.
  
  What to Say (Testimony, Phone Calls & Messages)
• Subject Line: “Ohio Voter SUPPORTS SB 299 — Protect Consumer Safety”
• Salutation: “Dear Senator [Last Name] / Members of the Committee,”
• Statement: “I am an Ohio resident writing/calling to respectfully ask you to SUPPORT SB 299.”
• Core Issue: “SB 299 provides a balanced legislative solution that safeguards consumer safety while allowing
• responsible adults to continue accessing safe, natural kratom products. The current lack of regulation
• increases the risk of unsafe products and encourages bad actors in the market.”
• Minors & Transparency: “This legislation implements crucial age restrictions to keep these products out of the hands of minors. It
• also mandates rigorous testing and clear labeling standards so consumers know exactly what they are
• purchasing.”
• Product Distinction: “SB 299 correctly targets dangerous, adulterated products and high-potency synthetic 7-OH without
• criminalizing the natural kratom leaf.”
• The Request: “By establishing a strict regulatory framework, SB 299 ensures kratom products in Ohio are safe, natural,
• and transparent.”
• Personal Story: [Insert concise & impactful testimony about your personal experience with natural kratom.]
• Closing: “Thank you for protecting the rights and safety of Ohio citizens by supporting SB 299. Sincerely, [Your
• Name], [Your Ohio Address/Zip Code]”
  
  General Government Committee Members (136th General Assembly)
  
  Kristina Roegner
  Chair (R) 614-466-4823 roegner@ohiosenate.gov
  
  Theresa Gavarone
  Vice Chair (R) 614-466-8060 gavarone@ohiosenate.gov
  
  Willis Blackshear, Jr.
  Ranking Member (D) 614-466-5123 blackshear@ohiosenate.gov
  
  Stephen Huffman
  Member (R) 614-466-6247 shuffman@ohiosenate.gov
  
  Bill Reineke
  Member (R) 614-466-8049 reineke@ohiosenate.gov
  
  Jane Timken
  Member (R) 614-466-0626 timken@ohiosenate.gov
  
  Bill DeMora
  Member (D) 614-466-4583 demora@ohiosenate.gov
  

---

Quick Tips for Your Testimony

• Keep it Brief: One to two pages is generally the standard.
• Be Clear: State your name and whether you support or oppose the bill in the first paragraph.
• Address the Chair: Formally address the testimony to the Committee Chair and members of the General Government Committee

---

SB299
Introduced in October 2025 is a regulatory bill aimed at controlling the sale and processing of kratom products. It is often referred to as a version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.  

HB587, companion bill of SB299
While the Board of Pharmacy is moving forward with rules to schedule kratom alkaloids, the House Agriculture Committee is currently reviewing HB587 as the primary legislative solution to regulate the market rather than criminalize it. Meeting is March 4, 2026. More details below.
Read the Analysis of Bill HB587

Both bill regulate kratom: Formalize restrictions on high-potency alkaloids and synthetic derivatives.
Establish labeling and age requirements. Create testing and compliance standards and would protect access to natural, plain leaf kratom.
Ohio Board of Pharmacy Mitragynine-Related Compounds Rule 4729:9-1-01.1 

Meeting Details
Wednesday, March 4, 2026  Time: 10:45 AM
You can WATCH THE HEARING on the Ohio Channel
Ohio Statehouse
1 Capitol Square, Room 121,
Columbus, OH 43215
Agenda: The House Agricultural Committee is set to hold a 2nd Hearing for H.B. No. 587.

If you are planning to attend or provide testimony, you can upload your testimony online. It is generally recommended to submit these documents at least 24 hours in advance. More details below.

The committee is meeting for a second hearing on H.B. No. 587. You can find the official meeting details and options to submit testimony on the Ohio House of Representatives website.

---

Note for Attendees: * Security: Visitors to the Ohio Statehouse must pass through a security screening, so it is recommended to arrive at least 15–20 minutes early.

Parking: The most convenient parking is the Statehouse Underground Parking Garage, which has entrances on East Broad Street, South Third Street, and State Street.

Virtual Instructions to access the Teams Meeting for this Riffe Tower meeting will be located here the morning of the meeting. Interested parties may also attend in-person.

To submit your testimony for the House Agriculture Committee hearing on March 4, 2026, you must follow a specific protocol required by the Ohio House of Representatives.

Submission Checklist

• Deadline: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 10:45 AM (exactly 24 hours before the hearing).
• Required Documents: You must submit both a Witness Information Form and your Written Testimony (both in PDF format).
• Submission Method: Uploaded via the House Agriculture Committee’s official portal.
  
  Step-by-Step Instructions
• Download the Witness Form:
  Go to the House Agriculture Committee page and download the Witness Information Form. You will need to indicate if you are a “Proponent” (supporting the bill), “Opponent” (against the bill), or “Interested Party” (neutral).
• Draft Your Testimony:
  • Heading: Address it to “Chairman [Name], Vice Chair [Name], Ranking Member [Name], and members of the House Agriculture Committee.”
  • Focus: Since this is the “Proponent” hearing, focus on why regulating kratom (HB 587) is better for Ohio than the Board of Pharmacy’s proposed total ban.
  • Personal Impact: If you use “pure form” kratom for health or wellness, explain how a ban would negatively affect your life.
• Save as PDF:
  The committee portal only accepts PDF files. Ensure both your testimony and the witness form are saved correctly.
• Upload to the Portal:
  Go to the Testimony Upload Portal. You will select the meeting date (March 4, 2026) and the bill number (HB 587).
  
  Important Notes for In-Person Attendance
• Security: Allow extra time to pass through Statehouse security at the 3rd Street or High Street entrances.
• Copies: While the digital upload is preferred, bringing 20 hard copies of your testimony for the committee members and staff is a common courtesy.
• Oral Remarks: Be prepared to summarize your written testimony in 3–5 minutes, as the Chair may limit time based on the number of witnesses.

TIPS
The committee is specifically looking for “Proponent” testimony during this session. To protect natural leaf kratom, emphasize that HB 587 creates the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which ensures that only “pure” products reach shelves by mandating third-party lab testing and banning dangerous synthetics.

To correctly address your testimony for the March 4, 2026 hearing on HB 587, you should use the following leadership names and committee details:

House Agriculture Committee

Chairman: State Representative Roy Klopfenstein (R-District 82)
Vice Chair: State Representative Johnathan Newman (R-District 80)
Ranking Member: State Representative Joe Miller III (D-District 53)

How to Address Your Testimony

When drafting your letter (which must be a PDF), start with a formal salutation like this:

“Chairman Klopfenstein, Vice Chair Newman, Ranking Member Miller, and members of the House Agriculture Committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide proponent testimony on House Bill 587…”

Quick Submission Summary

• Deadline: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, by 10:45 AM.
• Where to Upload: Ohio House Testimony Portal.
• What to Upload: 1. Your written testimony (PDF).
  2. The completed Witness Information Form (PDF).
  

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

March 2, 2026 Probation Committee Meeting – 9:30 a.m.
Board Meeting – 10:00 a.m.
Vern Riffe Center – 17th Floor – Hearing Room
Video from meeting Click on the link to watch.

Other Information

Kratom is not on the agenda for public testimony at the February 24, 2026 meeting, this is because that specific meeting is a general board meeting rather than a formal Public Rule Hearing.

Public testimony in the Ohio rulemaking process typically occurs at a specific stage after a rule is filed with the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). Here is the current timeline and when you can expect your next opportunity to speak:

1. The Rule Status
Initial Comment Period (Closed): The Board already accepted written comments on the proposed scheduling of mitragynine (natural kratom) through January 28, 2026.

Current Phase:
The Board voted on February 2, 2026, to advance the rule. It is now being prepared for formal filing with JCARR.

2. When Public Testimony Happens
Under Ohio law, once the Board “Original Files” the rule with JCARR, they are required to hold a Public Rule Hearing.

 Timing:
This hearing must occur 31 to 40 days after the rule is filed.

March 30, 2026
Acting under the authority of the Ohio Revised Code Sections 119.03 to 119.13, and Chapter 4729., the Ohio Board of Pharmacy hereby announces a public hearing will be held on March 30 , at 11:00 a.m. in the St. , Columbus, Ohio.

This is a statement of the agency’s intention to adopt/rescind the following rules: Rule Number 9101.1 Type Tagline 4729: New MitragynineRelated Compounds.

The full text of the proposed/rescinded rules is available at the office of the Ohio Board of Pharmacy in printed form without charge to any person affected by such proposals. The proposed rules may be accessed directly by clicking on the rule links in the table above or can be found on the Register of Ohio’s web site at http://www.registerofohio.state.oh.us/rules/search .

PLEASE NOTE: It may take up to 24 hours from the filing date for the rules to be posted. On the date and at the time and place designated in this notice, any person affected by the proposed action of the Ohio Board of Pharmacy may appear and be heard in person, by his/her attorney, or both; may present his/her position, arguments, or contentions orally or in writing; offer witnesses; and, present evidence tending to show that any proposal, if adopted or effectuated, will be unreasonable or unlawful.

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: * In-Person: Vern Riffe Center, 17th Floor, Board Meeting Room, 77 S. High St., Columbus, OH.