A bill to legalize kratom in Arkansas, a plant-derived stimulant and painkiller, has passed out of the Senate and is now headed to a House committee. Sponsored by Sen. Greg Leding, the bill would remove kratom from the state’s list of controlled substances, allowing for its sale to adults. Kratom is currently classified as a Schedule I substance in Arkansas, on par with heroin and cocaine, with severe penalties for possession. The proposed “Arkansas Kratom Consumer Protection Act” aims to regulate the sale of kratom products to protect consumers, requiring lab testing and registration with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
Kratom, derived from a tree found in Southeast Asia, is used by some as a medicine and is known to have stimulant and opiate-like effects. An estimated 1.7 million Americans used kratom in 2021, but it is not approved by the FDA for any medical use. The kratom industry is estimated to be worth over a billion dollars, with most states not regulating its manufacture or sale. Arkansas’s ban on kratom has resulted in harsh punishments for possession, with individuals facing legal consequences for possessing a substance that is legal in most other states.
The bill proposed by Leding aims to strike a balance by legalizing kratom while implementing regulations to protect consumers. If the bill passes, Arkansas would join other states in enacting laws to control the sale and potency of kratom products. With the potential for fines for violations, the bill seeks to ensure that kratom producers adhere to safety standards.
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