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.