Latest news with #HART
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Colorado can still lead on harm reduction. First we need to fix this new law.
A laptop displays the website of an online kratom retailer. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Imagine you're a veteran in Wheat Ridge, or a single mom in Lamar living with chronic pain. You've finally found something that works: a legal, plant-based supplement that helps you stay off opioids. But then, just as things start to stabilize, the state passes a law that could complicate how you access it. That's what just happened to thousands of Coloradans. On Thursday, Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 25-72 into law. We appreciate his commitment to public safety and consumer protection. But this law makes things more confusing, not safer. For the people who rely on kratom-derived products to manage pain or recover from addiction, it's a major step backward. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX I've worked in public policy for over 20 years, and I represent the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART), a nonprofit advocating for science-based kratom regulation (to be clear, we don't sell or profit from these products). We've been trying to get rules in place that protect consumers and reflect real-world use for years. This bill doesn't get us closer to that goal. Kratom is a plant-based supplement long used in Southeast Asia and now increasingly used here in Colorado. One of its natural compounds, 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, is found in products that patients say have helped them avoid returning to painkillers or heroin. Especially in rural and low-income areas, where access to traditional treatment can be limited, these products can mean the difference between stability and relapse. In 2022, Colorado's own state feasibility study laid out a clear, science-backed path for regulating these products. It advocated setting dosage limits, requiring testing and labeling, and establishing strong oversight. But SB-72 doesn't follow that roadmap. It was rushed through in the final days of the legislative session and now leaves Colorado with a fragmented and unclear system. Safe products could be sidelined while dangerous ones remain on shelves. Consider the facts: Claim: The bill bans unsafe high-potency products. Reality: It doesn't. The most dangerous products — high-mitragynine shots and kratom/kava blends — are still on shelves. Meanwhile, safer products made by responsible companies are pushed out. Claim: It regulates 7-OH. Reality: The law sets a 2% cap on 7-OH but excludes anything above that threshold from regulation altogether. That leaves patients, businesses, and law enforcement in regulatory limbo. Claim: It adds safety and labeling rules. Reality: The bill makes only minor changes for kratom and none for 7-OH, even though that's often the compound patients rely on most. There's also been public discussion tying this bill to the tragic death of Daniel Bregger. We deeply respect his family and their advocacy. But the facts matter: At the time, 7-OH products were not commercially available. Using that tragedy to justify this law distracts from the real dangers SB-72 fails to address. The law now excludes many 7-OH products from the definition of a 'kratom product,' but offers no clarity on how they should be regulated. 7-OH remains legal in Colorado, but SB-72 creates confusion instead of guidance. That helps bad actors more than consumers. Retailers don't know what they can sell, patients don't know what they can trust, and law enforcement doesn't know what to enforce. We want regulation. In fact, the brands we work with already follow many of the rules this bill should have required, such as limiting dosage based on science, testing products, and labeling ingredients. These are basic protections. But SB-72 doesn't ensure they're followed by everyone. It's a major missed opportunity. Colorado has built a national reputation for bold, evidence-based leadership on cannabis, psychedelics, and public health. SB-72 doesn't live up to that legacy. But it's not too late. Let's come back to the table, this time with patients in the room. We can still build a framework that's clear, fair and focused on safety. Colorado can still lead. We just have to choose to. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
PSTA approves first step in bringing back Cross Bay Ferry
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority has taken the first step towards starting a new ferry service. On Wednesday morning, PSTA voted unanimously to approve a $5 million grant that is currently being unused by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority. Saharan dust plume heading for Florida: Here's what to know If approved, HART will have their vote next week on whether to transfer the money. 'The grant is in danger of lapsing,' said Darden Rice, PSTA Chief Planning & Community Affairs Officer. PSTA would then use the funds to purchase their own boats, with a goal of purchasing 1-2 boats. In the coming months PSTA plans to put a call out for potential operators to lease the boats and run the service. The plan is for year-round service and more trips, with hopes of increasing ridership and lowering operating costs. PSTA said if HART does not approve the funds, PSTA would still move forward with requesting proposals from potential operators. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Servco Pacific seeks pause on HART's eminent domain of Kakaako property
A more than 100-year-old family-owned business has requested the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation pause its plans to condemn the company's large automotive servicing center property in Kakaako. HART claims the eminent domain of a Servco Pacific Inc. property at 616 Keawe St. will be for the benefit of completing the over-$10 billion Skyline project into downtown Honolulu by 2030. But at the HART board of directors meeting Friday, Servco Chief Investment Officer Peter Fukunaga opposed the government's taking of the property until further discussions with the rail agency could be held. 'We want to figure out how we can find a good solution for all of us, ' he added. Saying discussions with HART over this property originally started more than a decade ago, Fukunaga said that 'leadership and staffing changes ' at the agency derailed discussions in recent years. 'There's been about a five-year period where there hasn't been any conversations, and then recently … we were notified that HART needed to take a significant, large portion of the property, ' he added. 'About triple … than what was initially discussed.' 'And then we were informed that the land has to get turned over to the contractor by January, ' Fuku naga said. 'So a very short time to prepare, that's about seven months from now.' Via a resolution, the rail agency seeks to notify the Honolulu City Council of its intention 'to acquire by eminent domain a fee simple interest and a temporary construction easement over, under, above and through a portion ' of that commercial property—which features an 8, 580-square-foot building where automotive repairs occur—for Skyline. HART claims the building conflicts with the station platform for the Civic Center Station and with the 'constructability ' of four straddle bent columns, which will be in the public right of way immediately adjacent to the building. A straddle bent column and electrical facilities to power the station will also be located within the acquired property. And an additional temporary easement is necessary for use during the removal of the building from the property. The business is still eligible to receive relocation benefits, rail staff assert. HART claims it presented a formal offer to Servco in April. 'The owner has been given a reasonable time to consider the offer, ' Krista Lunzer, HART's director of transit property acquisition and relocation, told the board Friday. 'To adhere to the CCGS construction schedule, it's necessary to begin the condemnation approval process now.' 'Efforts will be made to continue negotiations with the owner, with the goal of reaching an amicable and reasonable settlement, ' she added. According to the city's Real Property Assessment Division, the commercial property at 616 Keawe St. has an assessed value of more than $21.2 million. If the eminent domain occurs, Fukunaga—grandson of company founder Peter H. Fukunaga, who started the business in 1919—said Servco will 'need to relocate one of our busiest service centers.' 'So this facility supports nearly 50 jobs, tens of thousands of customers every year, ' he told the board. 'You know, seven months to get permitting, move equipment, retrain staff, potentially find a new location and figure this all out without disrupting … that's the only spot down there that we've got.' Fukunaga requested Servco 'would like to step up the amount of conversations and engagement to figure out alternatives ' to condemnation. The main alternative, he asserted, is full closure of the company's Kakaako service center. Fukunaga said the eminent domain 'jeopardizes the long-term redevelopment plans for this site and leaves us with very few practical options going forward.' But the future of Servco's property was hampered by circumstances at HART's board meeting. On Friday the board lacked a quorum—the minimum number of board members to legally conduct public business on the city rail project—and therefore could not vote on the condemnation or any other items on the meeting's agenda. Although it could not vote, board Chair Colleen Hanabusa explained the panel could receive testimony and that board members could ask questions. To that, board member Roger Morton asked Fukunaga whether Servco 'recommended alternatives that you would like us to consider.' 'Yes, ' Fukunaga replied, adding his company wanted to set up a future meeting with HART to discuss options. 'But certainly, if there's a way that the amount of property to be taken permanently could be much smaller … and maybe some of the property could be leased for the build process.' Hanabusa asked about Servco's business operations on that Keawe Street site. 'For service, that's our only Toyota location in the area, ' Fukunaga replied. 'And you said (the planned taking ) changed, about triple the size ?' she queried. Fukunaga replied, 'It was supposed to be about 5, 000 square feet, and … I think it's up to about 19, 000 (square feet ) at this point.' Board member Anthony Aalto asked whether Servco would 'temporarily move and then, after HART's done its business, move back in … (to ) that huge site you have there.' Fukunaga said, 'To your point, if there's a way that much less can be permanently taken, and during the build … if a portion is leased or borrowed for a period of time … that would certainly be a step in the right direction.' 'I can't speak to the details of that, ' Aalto replied, 'but obviously, looking forward long-term, we want to see that site fully integrated into the station, and potentially see your business there on a permanent basis but in an integrated fashion with the station.' Later, Lunzer said the request for the Servco property's condemnation will return to the board for a formal vote, likely at its next meeting in June. In April the HART board voted for rail-related condemnations on three other Kakaako properties. Those include :—560 Halekauwila St., owned by architecture firm Design Partners Properties No. 5 LLC.—609 Keawe St., owned by Bank of Hawaii, trustee for the Katherine McGrew Cooper Trust.—576 Halekauwila St., owned by Goodwill Kaka ako Center LLC and Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii Properties LLC. At the same April 25 meeting, the board also voted to condemn a fourth property in Kalihi—at 1956 Dillingham Blvd., owned by Gerald Je Chul Kang and Kloe Sookhee Kang—to allow easement access for placement of Hawaiian Electric equipment.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Servco Pacific requests pause on HART's eminent domain plans of its Kakaako property
A more than 100-year-old family-owned business has requested the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation pause its plans to condemn the company's large automotive servicing center property in Kakaako. HART claims the eminent domain of a Servco Pacific Inc. property at 616 Keawe St. will be for the benefit of completing the over-$10 billion Skyline project into downtown Honolulu by 2030. But at the HART board of directors meeting Friday, Servco Chief Investment Officer Peter Fukunaga opposed the government's taking of the property until further discussions with the rail agency could be held. 'We want to figure out how we can find a good solution for all of us, ' he added. Saying discussions with HART over this property originally started more than a decade ago, Fukunaga said that 'leadership and staffing changes ' at the agency derailed discussions in recent years. 'There's been about a five-year period where there hasn't been any conversations, and then recently … we were notified that HART needed to take a significant, large portion of the property, ' he added. 'About triple … than what was initially discussed.' 'And then we were informed that the land has to get turned over to the contractor by January, ' Fuku naga said. 'So a very short time to prepare, that's about seven months from now.' Via a resolution, the rail agency seeks to notify the Honolulu City Council of its intention 'to acquire by eminent domain a fee simple interest and a temporary construction easement over, under, above and through a portion ' of that commercial property—which features an 8, 580-square-foot building where automotive repairs occur—for Skyline. HART claims the building conflicts with the station platform for the Civic Center Station and with the 'constructability ' of four straddle bent columns, which will be in the public right of way immediately adjacent to the building. A straddle bent column and electrical facilities to power the station will also be located within the acquired property. And an additional temporary easement is necessary for use during the removal of the building from the property. The business is still eligible to receive relocation benefits, rail staff assert. HART claims it presented a formal offer to Servco in April. 'The owner has been given a reasonable time to consider the offer, ' Krista Lunzer, HART's director of transit property acquisition and relocation, told the board Friday. 'To adhere to the CCGS construction schedule, it's necessary to begin the condemnation approval process now.' 'Efforts will be made to continue negotiations with the owner, with the goal of reaching an amicable and reasonable settlement, ' she added. According to the city's Real Property Assessment Division, the commercial property at 616 Keawe St. has an assessed value of more than $21.2 million. If the eminent domain occurs, Fukunaga—grandson of company founder Peter H. Fukunaga, who started the business in 1919—said Servco will 'need to relocate one of our busiest service centers.' 'So this facility supports nearly 50 jobs, tens of thousands of customers every year, ' he told the board. 'You know, seven months to get permitting, move equipment, retrain staff, potentially find a new location and figure this all out without disrupting … that's the only spot down there that we've got.' Fukunaga requested Servco 'would like to step up the amount of conversations and engagement to figure out alternatives ' to condemnation. The main alternative, he asserted, is full closure of the company's Kakaako service center. Fukunaga said the eminent domain 'jeopardizes the long-term redevelopment plans for this site and leaves us with very few practical options going forward.' But the future of Servco's property was hampered by circumstances at HART's board meeting. On Friday the board lacked a quorum—the minimum number of board members to legally conduct public business on the city rail project—and therefore could not vote on the condemnation or any other items on the meeting's agenda. Although it could not vote, board Chair Colleen Hanabusa explained the panel could receive testimony and that board members could ask questions. To that, board member Roger Morton asked Fukunaga whether Servco 'recommended alternatives that you would like us to consider.' 'Yes, ' Fukunaga replied, adding his company wanted to set up a future meeting with HART to discuss options. 'But certainly, if there's a way that the amount of property to be taken permanently could be much smaller … and maybe some of the property could be leased for the build process.' Hanabusa asked about Servco's business operations on that Keawe Street site. 'For service, that's our only Toyota location in the area, ' Fukunaga replied. 'And you said (the planned taking ) changed, about triple the size ?' she queried. Fukunaga replied, 'It was supposed to be about 5, 000 square feet, and … I think it's up to about 19, 000 (square feet ) at this point.' Board member Anthony Aalto asked whether Servco would 'temporarily move and then, after HART's done its business, move back in … (to ) that huge site you have there.' Fukunaga said, 'To your point, if there's a way that much less can be permanently taken, and during the build … if a portion is leased or borrowed for a period of time … that would certainly be a step in the right direction.' 'I can't speak to the details of that, ' Aalto replied, 'but obviously, looking forward long-term, we want to see that site fully integrated into the station, and potentially see your business there on a permanent basis but in an integrated fashion with the station.' Later, Lunzer said the request for the Servco property's condemnation will return to the board for a formal vote, likely at its next meeting in June. In April the HART board voted for rail-related condemnations on three other Kakaako properties. Those include :—560 Halekauwila St., owned by architecture firm Design Partners Properties No. 5 LLC.—609 Keawe St., owned by Bank of Hawaii, trustee for the Katherine McGrew Cooper Trust.—576 Halekauwila St., owned by Goodwill Kaka ako Center LLC and Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii Properties LLC. At the same April 25 meeting, the board also voted to condemn a fourth property in Kalihi—at 1956 Dillingham Blvd., owned by Gerald Je Chul Kang and Kloe Sookhee Kang—to allow easement access for placement of Hawaiian Electric equipment.
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Nebraska Passes Kratom Consumer Protection Act, Setting a State Standard for Kratom Regulation
LOS ANGELES, CA, May 19, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) applauds the Nebraska Legislature for the successful passage of Legislative Bill 230, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, introduced by State Senator Bob Hallstrom (District 1, Syracuse, NE). This critical legislation establishes common-sense regulations that enhances consumer safety and promotes the responsible manufacturing, marketing, and sale of kratom products in Nebraska. GKC has been actively engaged with Nebraska lawmakers since early 2024, advocating for evidence-based standards that preserve access to natural kratom while shielding the public from dangerous synthetic products that falsely claim to be kratom. LB 230 includes robust protections for consumers, such as prohibiting the marketing of kratom products to children, banning sales to individuals under 21 years old, and requiring product labeling that discourages use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. 'The Nebraska legislature should be commended for leading the way in creating common sense regulations for kratom, keeping it safe and accessible for consumers,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'Nebraska lawmakers have created a model for other states to pursue by including provisions in the legislation with some real teeth.' One of the most impactful provisions of the bill restricts the level of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) in kratom products to no more than 2% of the total alkaloid composition. This critical safeguard eliminates the threat posed by highly concentrated 7OH synthetic products — commonly referred to as '7'— which have been proliferating across the country. Unlike natural-leaf kratom, these synthetically altered products contain eight unknown compounds and levels of 7OH up to 100 times higher than naturally occurring kratom. These untested products lack scientific backing for claims of treating chronic pain and opioid use disorder. Despite mounting scientific consensus and public health concern, groups like the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) have actively sought to undermine the bill or strip out key consumer protections. HART continues to promote synthetic '7' products without offering credible data, directly contradicting the views of leading U.S. kratom researchers who assert that '7' products should not be considered kratom. During a press event in October 2024, HART panelists advocated for regulating 7OH products as though they were natural kratom, making unapproved drug claims without FDA authorization. 'When organizations like HART are advocating for products that are unapproved drugs that have not gone through the FDA approval process,' said Lowe. 'Without FDA approval, selling those products is unlawful and puts consumers at risk.' Since the introduction of LB 230 on January 14, 2025, GKC has worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the legislation balances access to safe, natural kratom with strong protections against dangerous synthetic alternatives. 'Our goal has always been to support legislation that empowers consumers to make informed choices and preserves access to responsibly manufactured kratom products,' said Lowe. 'With the passage of Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act, we've made a significant leap toward that vision.' The Global Kratom Coalition thanks the Nebraska Legislature for standing up for consumer safety and urges other states to follow Nebraska's lead by adopting meaningful, science-based kratom regulation. About Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Media Contact Patrick George +1 916-202-1982 [email protected] ### SOURCE: Global Kratom Coalition Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
