Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky announced that he is taking action to place 7-hydroxymitragynine on the list of Schedule I substances in Kentucky. The move will classify 7-OH in the same category as heroin, criminalizing 7-OH consumers in the bluegrass state. If it is determined that a substance poses an imminent threat to public safety, …
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 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 »
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 …
In a significant shift in Mississippi’s ongoing debate over kratom, Governor Tate Reeves signed two bills into law this April that fundamentally alter access to the herbal supplement. While touted by proponents as a safer alternative to opioids, kratom has faced repeated legislative efforts to restrict or ban its use in the state. Stricter Controls …
Mississippi Governor Approves Kratom Regulations and 25% Excise Tax Read More »
Texas Senate Bill 1868 Sparks Controversy Over Kratom Regulation A bill currently making its way through the Texas Senate could drastically alter the availability of kratom products in the state, restricting all forms except raw leaf products. Senate Bill 1868 proposes sweeping changes, banning widely used kratom extract shots and prepared beverages while imposing stringent …
The debate over kratom legalization in Arkansas has reached a boiling point, with advocates pushing for reform and lawmakers pushing back. The latest attempt to lift the state’s ban on kratom has failed in the House committee after initially passing the Senate with overwhelming support. The bill, known as the “Arkansas Kratom Consumer Protection Act,” …
Arkansas Kratom Debate: A Bill Rejected, A Death in Custody, and Calls for Reform Read More »
What a busy start to 2021. On Friday, January 29, the Idaho Senate committee will meet to vote on an anti-drug constitutional amendment. Specifically, the Senate Joint Resolution No. 101 will ban, “the production, manufacture, transportation, sale, delivery, dispensing, distribution, possession, or use of psychoactive drugs in the state of Idaho.” The amendment is significant …
Democratic State Senator Ronald Young has introduced SB147, a bill that would ban kratom in Maryland effective October 1, 2020. In a call to action surrounding a January 22 judiciary committee hearing on the bill, the American Kratom Association posted an easy contact form to help put Maryland residents in touch with key lawmakers. Maryland …
Bill to ban kratom to be considered by Maryland Judiciary Committee Read More »
On December 5, the American Kratom Association sent subscribers a newsletter with the subject line “Ohio Update: Protecting Kratom”. (The AKA website is a bit frustrating to navigate but I believe here is where you can sign up for the newsletter.) Mac Haddow and Jack Henningfield of the AKA met with the Ohio Board of …
Ohio Board of Pharmacy Resorts to Tone Policing to Justify Kratom Ban Read More »