Louisiana has the 2nd highest incarceration rate in the United States and a for-profit prison system that incentivizes local sheriffs to incarcerate citizens. Therefore it comes as no surprise that since kratom was classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in Louisiana on August 1st, officials have gone to work immediately arresting people for kratom.
On August 6, Pointe Coupee Parish Narcotics Task Force charged a convenience store owner with possession with intent to distribute four bags of kratom capsules totaling 144 grams. Under Louisiana’s for-profit prison system, Pointe Coupee Parish will receive funding from the state for incarcerating the shop owner.
In Slidell, a smoke shop was busted for continuing to sell kratom past the August 1st date. St. Tammany Parish detectives discovered products totaling 14.3 kilos of kratom powder in bagged and capsule form, along with over 100 liquid kratom products. Under Louisiana’s for-profit prison system, St. Tammany Parish will receive funding from the state for incarcerating the shop owner in St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center.
A Port Allen shop owner was arrested for possession with intent to distribute kratom and tianeptine after an undercover operation, as reported on August 13. Under Louisiana’s for-profit prison system, West Baton Rouge Parish will receive funding from the state for incarcerating the shop owner.
On August 19, three men were busted in Ascension Parish as part of a search warrant. Multiple controlled substances were discovered by police, including kratom. Ascension Parish will receive funding from the state for incarcerating the men.
Two men were charged with possession of kratom and possession with intent to distribute kratom as part of a statewide crackdown on “illegal and unauthorized” vape products, according to an August 25 news release by the Louisiana Department of Revenue. One of the men charged with possession of kratom was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The operation was carried out by a task force involving the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Under the law, possession of up to 20 grams (or less than 3/4 ounce) of kratom is technically illegal, but decriminalized. Those possessing 20 grams of kratom or less are only subject to a maximum $100 fine.
The sponsor of the kratom ban bill, Senator Jay Morris, has received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, which is a vocal proponent of kratom prohibition.
Man thats crazy