Tampa Bay lawmaker proposes additional Kratom regulations; advocates partially agree
Kratom is a southeast Asian leaf that's often used for its stimulating effects. It's commonly found at gas stations along with tobacco and Kava shops.
Florida bill ignites debate over parental consent for minors' healthcare
Republican State Rep. Michael Owen is looking to prevent artificially elevated levels of a compound found in that tea leaf.
'We've got to regulate it because we got to get the 7-OH off the street,' Owen said.
Rep. Owen, who covers southern Hillsborough and northern Manatee counties, has filed House Bill 1489.
'They're pulling out what's called 7-OH. Basically, it's 0.5% of the Kratom leaf. So, they're pulling kind of the worst parts of that out. They're mixing that with other alkaloids and other compounds and they're creating a product that is very, very dangerous,' Owen said.
Senior Fellow on Public Policy Mac Haddow is with the American Kratom Association. He and the organization advocate for the responsible usage of Kratom which can be in the form of liquid, powder, or pill.
'Any adverse event or death that's related to Kratom occurs because of an adulterated Kratom product or poly drug use,' Haddow said.
He agrees with getting products that are mixed with additional substances, making the effects stronger, off the shelves.
'We should be focused on eliminating those products from the marketplace and not taking a broad strike against all Kratom products and the millions of Floridians who are consuming Kratom safely and responsibly,' Haddow said.
Owen's current bill includes additional regulations, like if Kratom tea is brewed, the shop must test it with a lab to monitor levels of 7-OH. Owen said he's making tweaks as the bill moves through committee.
'It does overregulate to where a lot of the Kava bars, for example, are put in a difficult spot where they can't brew their teas. I'm not out to get them. So, I've already made some changes,' Owen said.
Kratom is often used to boost energy, improve someone's mood, or battle an opioid addiction. The FDA warns against its usage, saying it's dangerous for your liver, may cause seizures, and it's addictive. It has been banned in Sarasota County since 2014. Six states have also banned Kratom.
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