Current Events

Man Cuts Off Penis During Psychotic Episode; Media Blames Kratom

In the tradition of Reefer Madness, LSD window-jumpers, and bath salt zombies, the media has conjured up a new ghoul: the kratom-fueled self-castrator. The phrase “based on a true story” has never been more fitting. Triggered by a case report published in a medical journal in January 2024, recent clickbait media stories describe a deranged …

Man Cuts Off Penis During Psychotic Episode; Media Blames Kratom Read More »

Connecticut Governor Signs Bill to Ban Kratom

A bill signed by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont on June 25 will schedule kratom as a controlled substance in Connecticut. Regardless of the schedule assigned, kratom will be illegal to freely sell, buy, and possess in the state. Section 4 of the bill instructs the Commissioner of Consumer Protection Bryan T. Cafferelli to schedule a …

Connecticut Governor Signs Bill to Ban Kratom Read More »

Rhode Island Kratom Legalization Bill on Governor’s Desk

Rhode Island House Bill 5565, and its companion Senate Bill 792. “The Rhode Island Kratom Act” is on the governor’s desk. The bill will legalize and regulate kratom in Rhode Island, which outlawed kratom in 2017. One of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. John G. Edwards, said, “Kratom, which is used by about 15 million Americans, …

Rhode Island Kratom Legalization Bill on Governor’s Desk Read More »

North Carolina Hemp Bill Amended to Ban Kratom

In another stunning turn of events similar to Connecticut, an amendment has been added to a North Carolina hemp regulation bill that will ban kratom. The bill, House Bill 328: “Regulate Hemp-Derived Consumables”, was introduced in March and initially would have prohibited the sale of hemp products to minors and placed additional regulations on the …

North Carolina Hemp Bill Amended to Ban Kratom Read More »

LOUISIANA BANS KRATOM: World Incarceration Leader Criminalizes 325,000 More Citizens

On June 5, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed SB154 into law, which will officially make kratom a Schedule I substance starting August 1, 2025. Louisiana has extremely draconian laws regarding Schedule I substances. Conviction for possession can result in 4 to 10 years of imprisonment (with or without hard labor) and fines up to $5,000. …

LOUISIANA BANS KRATOM: World Incarceration Leader Criminalizes 325,000 More Citizens Read More »

Deadlines to Sign/Veto Prohibition Bills in Louisiana, Connecticut, and Texas

CORRECTION: The governor of Connecticut has 15 days to sign or veto a bill. In the case of HB6855, that would be June 19. Three state prohibition bills are sitting on governors’ desks awaiting a signature or veto. In Louisiana, SB154 will make kratom a Schedule I drug, criminalizing all kratom consumers. In Connecticut, an …

Deadlines to Sign/Veto Prohibition Bills in Louisiana, Connecticut, and Texas Read More »

Connecticut Slips Last Minute Kratom Ban into Hemp Bill

Connecticut lawmakers sneaked a last-minute amendment that will schedule kratom into a bill originally meant to regulate hemp products. HB6855 has passed both houses and only awaits the signature of Governor Ned Lamont to become law. The bill was originally introduced on February 2nd, with the kratom scheduling amendment not added until June 2nd. It …

Connecticut Slips Last Minute Kratom Ban into Hemp Bill Read More »

Colorado Strengthens Kratom Regulations with Unified Efforts of Advocates and Grieving Parent

On May 29, Governor Jarid Polis of Colorado signed into a law a kratom regulation bill supported by both kratom advocates and the father of a man who died from the combined toxicity of strong doses of a concentrated kratom extract and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine). Dubbed the Daniel Bregger Act after the deceased man, the …

Colorado Strengthens Kratom Regulations with Unified Efforts of Advocates and Grieving Parent Read More »

Army Looking to Bust Soldiers for Kratom

In a statement released May 29, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) warned soldiers about the “dangers of kratom”. Echoing language posted on the DEA or FDA website, the Army CID pointed out that kratom and its alkaloids are not FDA approved, and listed all possible side effects, but did not characterize …

Army Looking to Bust Soldiers for Kratom Read More »

Florida Teacher Arrested for Giving Kratom to Student—Violates KCPA Law

HERNANDO COUNTY, FL – A Florida teacher was arrested after admitting to furnishing a student with two doses of a kratom-based supplement. News media did not report the strength or contents of the supplement, referring to it only as “kratom” or “a kratom-based supplement”. After ingesting both doses of the supplement, according to the Hernando …

Florida Teacher Arrested for Giving Kratom to Student—Violates KCPA Law Read More »