Florida lawmakers want to regulate kratom. Here’s what you need to know.

n recent weeks, Florida legislators have taken steps toward regulating kratom, a controversial substance derived from the dried leaves of a tropical Southeast Asian tree. In recent years, its popularity has skyrocketed in the U.S., including Florida, in part because of its purported opiate-like effects and widespread availability.

Kratom is brewed into teas and mixed into sweetened mocktails. It’s sold at electronic cigarette and tobacco shops. You can purchase it at gas stations. You can order it online. You can even get it delivered on UberEats.

The substance is not specifically regulated at the federal level, but several states have passed legislation similar to what’s proposed in Florida.

Read more at the Tampa Bay Times via MSN