One by one, kratom prohibition forces are winning small victories in the parishes of Louisiana. In August 2022, Ascension Parish banned the sales of kratom. Then in October, Rapides Parish went a step further and passed an ordinance not only banning sales, but criminalizing anyone in possession of kratom.
As in Rapides Parish and in Mississippi counties, the council members Jeff Ard and Tracy Girlinghouse proposed the ordinance after lobbying by police. Girlinghouse told WBRZ that “it’s coming from a request from the sheriff’s office” and that it’s based on previously passed ordinances in Ascension and Rapides Parish, as well as in Radnor Township in eastern Pennsylvania.
Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard, brother of the councilman who proposed the ban, told WBRZ:
In a statement, Sheriff Jason Ard said: “Discussions continue in Livingston Parish about kratom. It’s being used to enhance other drugs. We’re concerned about overdoses and deaths here in our parish. We will continue working with our local leaders to be proactive and to do what’s in the best interest of our citizens and the families who call Livingston Parish home.”
Other law enforcement sources we spoke with either did not know what we were talking about or said they have not had any reportable run-ins with the substance—including overdoses.
Sources brought to the attention of Kratom Science that Sheriff Jason Ard, who proposed the kratom prohibition ordinance that his brother Jeff introduced to parish council, has been receiving campaign contributions since 2013 from Smith Tank and Steel, a construction contractor who sponsors Life House, a Christian drug rehabilitation center with two locations in the area.
Members of Life House testified in favor of a ban at the kratom prohibition ordinance hearings in Ascension Parish in August.
Some rehabilitation centers are in favor of prohibition as they can receive new clients through the court system. The FAQ page of the Life House website states, “We have developed a relationship with probation departments and will work with the legal system on your behalf.”
!!!Supporters of the right to consume kratom are encouraged to attend!!!
The Livingston Parish Ordinance Committee meeting
Thursday January 12, 2023 at 5:00 pm
at the Governmental Building
20355 Government Blvd
Livingston LA 70754
in the Livingston Parish Council Chambers.
On the Agenda: Discussion of Kratom prohibition ordinance
have COPD and Heart disease and Diabetes. I found out about Kratom in a Fibromyalgia support group from a couple of friends. I did a lot of research on this due to my medical background. After the first time taking it, my Mom , my caregiver asked me how I was feeling. I started crying and told her that I was pain free for the first time in many years. A
I can’t wait for the lid to be blown off of this shit storm. The amount of corruption and greed pumping this ban is here for everyone to see. Legislators accepting bribes from clinics and rehabs that are losing money because people are saving their lives by using kratom to get off of hard drugs instead of taking the poison suboxone. Maybe justice will be done this time and those legislatiors with greed and malice in their souls will reap the karma of their treachery against the people.
You are so right 🙌 I’m tired of it…
Yeah this entire thing is rigged. This isn’t about “taking a dangerous drug off the streets”, it’s about money, plain and simple. The science behind Kratom is legitimate, but people like this tend to ignore.
My Kratom Story
My name is Medea Latham and
my Kratom story started in February of 2017. I am a disabled RN with 2 young adult sons. At the time, I was bedridden with Multiple Sclerosis and Fibromyalgia. I have COPD and Heart disease and Diabetes. I found out about Kratom in a Fibromyalgia support group from a couple of friends. I did a lot of research on this due to my medical background. After the first time taking it, my Mom , my caregiver asked me how I was feeling. I started crying and told her that I was pain free for the first time in many years. A little over 5 years later, I am no longer bedridden, I am the healthiest I have ever been. My Diabetes is in remission, I am no longer wearing oxygen 24° a day, my pain is still relieved with my Kratom. I still take the same amount I have always taken. I am now my Mother’s caregiver. My sons have a Real Mom for the first time in their lives. I am a productive member of society again.