The Fight for Botanicals

Kratom, an herbal supplement derived from a Southeast Asian tree, is at the center of a growing debate as cities and states across the U.S. move to ban its sale. Recently, Belchertown, Massachusetts, joined a wave of communities restricting kratom, citing concerns over its unregulated status and potential risks to minors. The ban, finalized in early 2024, followed similar actions in Lowell, Dracut, and Chelmsford, with several states enacting statewide prohibitions.

Despite these crackdowns, advocates highlight kratom’s positives. The American Kratom Association describes it as providing an “energy boost like a cup of coffee” and, at higher doses, helping with anxiety. For some, like Lori Romney—who suffers from severe facial pain—kratom has been transformative, allowing her to stop daily opioid prescriptions and find relief where other treatments failed.

For more details, see the original article at WWLP.com

The American Kratom Association (AKA) has publicly praised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its recent crackdown on vendors selling products containing dangerous, chemically manipulated compounds such as 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), pseudoindoxyl, and “M”. These substances, often marketed as kratom, are synthetic or highly concentrated versions that appear only in trace amounts in natural kratom and pose significant risks to consumers.

The FDA’s enforcement action included issuing Warning Letters to companies making illegal therapeutic claims and selling unapproved formulations. The agency made clear that such products—often found in tablets, drink mixes, and shots—are considered unapproved drugs and adulterated foods under federal law.

Mac Haddow, senior fellow at the AKA, emphasized that these products mislead consumers and threaten public safety, calling for continued aggressive enforcement. The AKA continues to advocate for stricter state-level regulations to protect consumers and maintain access to safe, natural kratom.

Read the full release at Reuters.

Missourians living with chronic pain are increasingly turning to kratom and its active ingredient, 7-OH, as an alternative to traditional painkillers. Brandi Lane, who endured two decades of persistent pain, credits kratom with restoring her quality of life after years of ineffective treatments and frequent emergency room visits.

Despite its benefits, kratom remains unregulated in Missouri, with no statewide requirements for safety testing, labeling, or age restrictions. Lane warns that this regulatory gap leaves consumers vulnerable and risks a potential ban if a safety incident occurs.

A recent bipartisan effort to introduce basic safety measures—such as ingredient testing and dosage guidelines—failed to pass in the state legislature. Lane and others advocate for proactive, science-driven regulations to ensure products are safe and accessible for those in need.

Without action, Lane fears many could lose access to a vital tool for managing pain. For more details, read the original opinion piece at STLToday.

A fresh nationwide effort spearheaded by the Kratom Research Institute (KRI) is calling on policymakers to safeguard access to natural kratom while addressing the risks posed by synthetic substitutes like 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH). The campaign highlights concerns over synthetic 7OH products, which are being marketed as kratom in colorful tablets—often sold without proper regulation or age verification.

KRI’s executive director, Ryan Niddel, emphasized the group’s stance: “We’re not advocating for a kratom ban. Our goal is to ensure synthetic 7OH is regulated through established drug approval channels to protect public health.” Internal research from KRI reveals that the tiny amount of 7OH naturally found in kratom leaves cannot account for the quantities being sold, suggesting most of these products are artificially produced.

The organization is also collecting stories from consumers and healthcare professionals to better understand the impact of both natural and synthetic kratom. For the original article, visit The Herald Journal here.

Rhode Island’s House Bill 5565 seeks to regulate kratom by banning synthetic and semi-synthetic analogs, while allowing the sale of natural kratom products. Lora Romney, president of the International Plant & Herbal Alliance, argues in a recent Providence Journal opinion piece that the real danger lies in adulterated products containing high concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which are engineered to spike psychoactive effects and misrepresent kratom’s safety profile.

Romney emphasizes that natural kratom, supported by extensive research and millions in federal funding, is not dangerously addictive and is well-tolerated at various doses. She points out that the FDA has not declared kratom dangerous, and that many adverse events blamed on kratom are actually linked to synthetic analogs. House Bill 5565 aims to ensure only safe, properly labeled, and age-restricted kratom products remain available to Rhode Islanders.

Colorado has passed the Daniel Bregger Act, a major update to its Kratom Consumer Protection Act, designed to enhance consumer safety and restrict dangerous high-potency kratom products. Signed by Governor Jared Polis, the law mandates clear labeling, bans synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom alkaloids, and limits the presence of 7-hydroxymitragynine to 2% in products. It also prohibits sales to individuals under 21, bans kratom vaporizers, and restricts marketing aimed at children.

Named in memory of Dan Bregger, who died in 2021 after consuming a mislabeled, highly concentrated kratom extract, the act honors his legacy and the advocacy of his father, David Bregger. The Global Kratom Coalition praised the legislation as a model for evidence-based regulation and consumer protection.

Two communities in Williamson County, Illinois, have recently updated their local ordinances to restrict the sale and delivery of kratom and its derivatives. The City of Marion and the City of Herrin both approved new measures during city council meetings on May 12, affecting retailers and consumers who purchase kratom products at gas stations and stores.

Kratom, a plant-based product often sold in convenience outlets, has been the subject of ongoing regulatory discussions across the country. The new ordinances reflect a growing trend among local governments to address the sale of kratom at the community level.

For more details on these developments, including official statements from the cities, visit the original report at WSIL-TV’s website.

Colorado lawmakers are moving forward with Senate Bill 72, which would require kratom manufacturers to register their products annually with the Department of Revenue. The bill sets out clear standards for labeling, packaging, and product composition, aiming to promote transparency and consumer safety. Manufacturers must pay annual fees, provide proof of federal registration, and comply with state requirements.

Penalties for non-compliance can include fines and, for repeat violations, temporary bans from the Colorado market. The legislation also allows local governments to adopt stricter rules if they choose. Supporters say these measures will help ensure the integrity of kratom products as the industry grows in Colorado.

Mississippi is set to implement new regulations on kratom, with House Bill 1077 awaiting the governor’s signature. If signed, the law will prohibit the sale of kratom products to anyone under 21 starting July 1, 2025. The legislation also bans synthetic kratom and caps product potency, while preserving the right of counties and cities to enact their own bans.

Local business owners, such as Scott Carmichael in Jones County, have expressed concerns about the economic impact, noting that customers often travel to neighboring areas where kratom remains legal. The new law will require retailers to check IDs much like with alcohol and tobacco, aiming to keep kratom out of the hands of minors. For more on the evolving landscape of regulating kratom in Mississippi, see the original report.