A petition to classify kratom as a Schedule I drug in Virginia has ignited significant public debate. Jennifer Brandt, a Hampton-based pharmacist, submitted the petition to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, proposing to regulate kratom similarly to substances like heroin and LSD. This move would make kratom, a plant-based product used for pain relief and addiction recovery, more inaccessible than many opioids.
The petition has received over 2,900 comments, predominantly from individuals who credit kratom with aiding their recovery from addiction. Jeremy Tillem, a Richmond resident who used kratom to detox from heroin, argues that banning the substance would drive people back to more dangerous drugs. “Kratom basically saved my life,” Tillem stated.
However, some pharmacists support the petition, citing concerns over kratom’s potential for abuse. Joshua Crawford of Bon Secours Mercy Health System emphasized the need for regulation to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic.
The Virginia Board of Pharmacy will review the petition on June 25. If approved, the rulemaking process could take several months, involving public comment periods and input from state officials. For more details, read the full article on Richmond Times-Dispatch.