In a move that could change the landscape of herbal supplements, Indiana is on the verge of legalizing kratom, a natural painkiller and energy booster. House Bill 1500, led by Rep. Alan Morrison, aims to permit the sale of this herbal extract, which comes from a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. The bill recently advanced from the House with bipartisan support and is now headed to the Senate.
The legislation comes after kratom was banned in Indiana in 2014, in anticipation of federal action that never materialized. Currently, kratom is classified as a Schedule 1 narcotic in the state, alongside substances like heroin and cocaine. Advocates argue that kratom can help with chronic pain and substance abuse withdrawal, while critics caution about its addictive properties.
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