The Mississippi House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill to restrict kratom sales to individuals aged 21 and older while banning synthetic kratom products. House Bill 1077, authored by Rep. Lee Yancey, aims to address concerns about the herbal substance, which critics claim is addictive and produces opioid-like effects.
The legislation requires proof of age for purchases and mandates that retailers keep kratom behind the counter. It also imposes fines on underage buyers and sellers. Synthetic kratom extracts, which contain high concentrations of the psychoactive compound 7-hydroxymitragynine, are prohibited under the bill.
Advocates argue that kratom can help manage opioid withdrawal and chronic pain, while opponents push for stricter regulation or outright bans. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. For more details, visit Mississippi Today.