Latest news with #kratom
Yahoo
4 days 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
CBS News
4 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Kratom is the subject of a new Colorado law also known as the Daniel Bregger Act, more regulations now being placed on the substance
This week, Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law placing more regulations on kratom. It's called the "Daniel Bregger Act." Daniel Bregger Bregger Family Many may have seen signs for the substance outside convenience stores or vape shops but may not be aware of what it is. What is kratom? Kratom is an herbal supplement said to treat pain, anxiety and opioid withdrawal. While some say it is a lifesaver, others point out the risks. The leaf can produce stimulant effects in low doses and sedative effects in high doses. It's not a federally controlled substance, but now it will be subject to regulation in Colorado. Daniel Bregger's father had never heard of kratom "I miss him every moment of every day, and I'm doing this in his memory," said David Bregger. A new law in Colorado bears the name of Bregger's son, Daniel. "My son died of an extract that if this bill had been in place at the time, would not even be available," Bregger said. In 2021, Dan was 33, living in downtown Denver with his brother, working a corporate job and spending his weekends enjoying Colorado's outdoors. "He loved the bike paths. He biked everywhere. Just loved the town," Bregger said. But one day, he was found dead in his room. Dan's autopsy showed he died from the combined toxic effects of kratom and diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl. "I'd never even heard of kratom before," Bregger said. Dan's family says he was never an addict. They believe Dan had purchased kratom online as a holistic anxiety treatment. "He had purchased two small bottles," Bregger said. "But there were no labeling instructions whatsoever on them, nor on their website. "And so it was a lethal dose in one of those." After his son's death, Bregger wanted to ban kratom, but realized regulation may save more lives. "I think ultimately, if it ended up on the black market, it would be worse than it would if it were regulated," Bregger said. Kratom user and advocate favors regulations "I advocate for regulations. I 100% advocate for it because we need guardrails in place," said Thornton resident Misty Brown. Kratom user and advocate Brown also believes in regulation. CBS Colorado's Olivia Young interviews Misty Brown. CBS "I was trapped in active addiction for 11 years straight via chronic pain management," Brown said. "I was addicted to FDA-approved pain pills, benzos and muscle relaxers." Eventually, Brown says she turned to the streets and began using cocaine. But one day, she tried kratom, and it changed her life. "When I took it, I didn't notice anything. It wasn't until I went to bed that night and I was thinking about everything I did during that day. I cooked dinner, I listened to music, I cleaned my house, I did laundry, all without being high, without having that high feeling in your head. And so I was like, hmm, maybe there is something to this," Brown said. Misty Brown says kratom saved her from addiction and helps manage her chronic pain. "I know kratom will save somebody like me," Brown said. Today, she advocates for safe kratom use, and against bans. "What's up y'all? I just want to remind you to sign up for the Louisiana kratom rally that's happening at June third at 2 p.m.," Brown said to a TikTok audience. The Colorado bill, SB 25-072, was opposed by the American Kratom Association and the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust, but supported by the Global Kratom Coalition. Brown initially testified against the Daniel Bregger Act, concerned over registration fees she felt would impact small businesses. But the regulatory structure and penalties initially proposed in the bill were removed through amendments before it reached the governor's desk. "We had this hearty, chunky soup that we started out with, and now it's a thin broth, but it is a step in the right direction," Bregger said. Colorado's new law includes numerous bans On Thursday, Gov. Polis signed the Daniel Bregger Act into law. Among other things, the law: - Requires transparent labeling and dosing information of kratom products - Prohibits synthetic and semi-synthetic alkaloids in kratom - Caps the amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine ("7-OH"), an alkaloid found in kratom products, at 2% - Bans kratom vaporizers - Bans kratom products that are candy-like or marketed to children - Requires kratom products be kept behind a counter, similar to tobacco - Bans the sale of kratom to those under 21 "Whole leaf kratom powder is an exit from addiction. These synthetic 708 products that are out here is an entrance into one," Brown said. CBS Brown and Bregger agree, synthetic kratom presents the greatest risk. "It's so addictive and so readily available that it's going to be an epidemic in no time," Bregger said. Faith Day founded Clean Kratom in Oregon and today has a location on Broadway in Denver. Day says her business is the first licensed kratom dispensary in the United States, and worked to help craft this legislation. Day shared the following comment with CBS Colorado: "We fully support science-backed regulation and believe it's a critical step in legitimizing the industry. While we had hoped for tighter restrictions to help keep bad actors out and ensure consumer safety, we remain optimistic that these new frameworks will give responsible, compliant companies like ours a chance to shine. We're committed to quality, transparency, and continued advocacy for safe access to kratom through well-regulated channels." While Brown won't stop advocating for the substance she says saves her life, Bregger says this is just the beginning of his fight. "I will forever have chronic pain, anxiety and depression. You know, I can't pray my pain away. I will always need something to help manage my pain, so that is why I utilize kratom now," Brown said. "I can 100% confidently tell you that I'm a recovered addict now." "It's a plague in Colorado, and the legislation will save a lot of lives. And that's what I'm in it for, to save lives in Dan's memory," Bregger said.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kratom bill turns controversial as some call for governor to veto it
DENVER (KDVR) — A bill that passed just before lawmakers gaveled out of this year's legislative session could be in jeopardy. Industry groups are calling on the governor to veto a measure that supporters said will add more safeguards to a substance called kratom. 2 jailed after traffic stop leads to discovery of meth, suspect with 10 warrants: Police Lawmakers want to make sure people buying kratom products know exactly what they're getting. Some industry insiders said a bill they passed looking to do that could have unintended consequences. Kratom is an herbal substance that some people use to help relieve things like pain and anxiety; the DEA lists it as a chemical of concern. Some people also use it to help with withdrawals from drugs like opioids or fentanyl. The bill passed on the last day of session this year after a representative used a rarely used maneuver to stop the measure from dying on the calendar and get it on the House floor for a vote. It got bipartisan support from lawmakers in both chambers, but industry opponents of the measure worry the bill is not backed by science, and the measure would end up hurting consumers due to confusion surrounding which products the measure is trying to bill underwent some big changes regarding the regulation of the product, but sponsors said they worry kratom is too easily available without much oversight. 'What worries me about this bill is that it sets a bad precedent and it creates a framework that is going to have to be basically completely overhauled and reworked for it to create real protections for consumers. I worry this bill is too stringent on certain definitions that don't create meaningful protections or regulations and actually just generate confusion,' said Kyle Ray, Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust Board Member. 'This product that people say can do all these things for them can be bought on the gas station countertop or in your local smoke shop. I think that is really concerning. I think that when we have a product that mimics these things, that can replace these things for people, we need to make sure that we are keeping a close eye on it,' said Senator Kyle Mullica, a prime sponsor of the bill. 'What's still left in the bill is making sure that it is reported and identified what's in the product? Making sure that we have some potency limits in there, making sure that there are certain synthetic forms are the products that are not going to be sold in Colorado. I think ideally, you know, eventually, we still want to look at licensure, I think that's the ultimate enforcement mechanism, where our fiscal space was this year in the legislature. That wasn't possible.' Some HART members have reportedly urged community members to call for a veto in exchange for products. Mullica called that tactic bribery. Denver sues Trump administration over potential loss of transportation funding The Governor's Office has said he will review all the bills that passed this session. He has two weeks to make a decision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Medscape
16-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
‘Legal Morphine' — The Rise of Kratom and 7-OH in the US
Interest in kratom in the United States has soared in the past decade, with estimates ranging as high as 16 million users and more than $2 billion in retail sales. The recent surge in use and increasing availability of products containing the potent kratom metabolite 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) has some experts sounding the alarm over the addictive qualities of the drug, which acts on opioid receptors in the brain. 'People feel that it may be a good treatment for opioid use disorder [OUD] when they are going through withdrawal, which is only partially true and not all that evidence-based,' Petros Levounis, MD, professor and chair, Department of Psychiatry, and associate dean at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, told Medscape Medical News . Evidence also suggests that rather than treating addiction and symptoms of withdrawal, the use of kratom may lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms on its own. 'Perhaps even more concerning is that people start using kratom in a general sense — like it's going to help them with all kinds of nonspecific discomfort. Whether that's anxiety or dysphoria or annoyance or any of the above, they just take a little bit of kratom and feel better, which is probably true,' Levounis said. 'But at what cost?' What are Kratom and 7-OH? 'Kratom' refers to both Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia, and to products derived from its leaves that are marketed as herbal supplements. Kratom products are commonly found at gas-station counters, vape and head shops, cannabidiol dispensaries, online vendors, and occasionally in 'wellness' aisles in mainstream pharmacies. Traditional kratom products made from the dried leaves of M speciosa naturally contain dozens of bioactive alkaloids. The most well-studied compounds in kratom are mitragynine and 7-OH. Mitragynine is the predominant alkaloid, making up about 60%-65% of dried leaves, while 7-OH is present only in trace amounts (often < 0.05% of the leaf). Both molecules are psychoactive and are partial agonists at the µ-opioid receptor, with a binding strength the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said is similar to scheduled opioid drugs. At low doses, mitragynine's mixed receptor profile (adrenergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic) yields mild stimulant and mood-boosting effects. By contrast, concentrated 7-OH preparations are 30-40 times more potent at opioid receptors and produce rapid-onset analgesia, euphoria, respiratory depression, and classic opioid-type withdrawal. As previously reported by Medscape Medical News , research has shown that 7-OH (formerly known as (7-HMG) has high abuse potential and may also increase the intake of other opiates. Why the Alarm? Current estimates of kratom use vary widely, with federal data reporting just under 2 million users in 2022 and a national kratom advocacy group putting the number significantly higher, at 11-16 million. The US retail sales were estimated at roughly $2.2 billion in 2024. Since late 2023, there has been a surge in 'kratom' products marketed as '7-OH,' '7-Hydro,' or 'legal morphine.' And 7-OH is 'much more potent and there are some animal studies that have shown that 7-OH is much more addictive than the good old parent molecule and can very well get you in trouble,' Levounis said. Even the American Kratom Association recently issued a consumer alert on synthetically concentrated 7-OH products that are 'deceptively' labeled and marketed as 'kratom.' The association has warned that products with 7-OH levels that exceed 2% of the overall alkaloid content are no longer kratom. Recently, independent lab tests commissioned by regulators in Texas and Colorado have found some 7-OH pills exceeding 40% purity and mislabeled as 'kratom extract.' The FDA issued an alert last year, warning consumers not to ingest optimized plant mediated solutions black liquid kratom, noting that the product, which contains 7-OH, has been linked to one death and numerous adverse health effects including seizures and liver toxicity. The FDA reported cases of kratom-related substance use disorder (SUD), in which patients use kratom for longer and in larger amounts than intended, experience kratom cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and continue use despite adverse consequences (either physically or in their personal life). Cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome, in which newborns experience such as jitteriness, irritability, muscle stiffness, and other withdrawal signs following prolonged prenatal exposure to kratom, have also been reported. Are Kratom and 7-OH Regulated? Although widely available, kratom and its ingredients have not been approved by the FDA. 'There are no FDA approved kratom drug products or over the counter drugs containing kratom, or its ingredients — mitragynine, or 7-OH-mitragynine — that are legally on the market in the US. FDA continues to warn consumers not to use kratom because of the risk of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder.' In 2016, the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) declared its intent to classify kratom as Schedule I, which would have criminalized possession and distribution of the substance. However, the agency withdrew the notice after push back from the public and members of Congress. As a result, on the federal level, kratom products are not specifically regulated, nor are kratom or 7-OH listed as controlled substances, reported the Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association. However, kratom remains on the DEA's 'Drugs of Concern' list. At the state level, there is a patchwork of regulations on kratom. Six states – Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin – currently ban the substance outright and nine states have imposed specific regulations or restrictions on sale and distribution of kratom products. Kratom is legal without specific statewide regulations in 35 states, although certain local jurisdictions within these states may have their own restrictions or bans. Earlier this year, Colorado lawmakers advanced a bill to require companies that process the plant M speciosa to register with the state and follow labeling and product rules designed to limit potency. And the governor of Georgia recently signed a law adding regulations for production and sale of kratom. Is My Patient Using Kratom? Kratom use is 'something that all clinicians should ask patients about as they can buy it at convenience stores or online and its use is going up so we need to ask about it,' Roger S. McIntyre, MD, professor of psychiatry and pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, told Medscape Medical News . The key is knowing which kratom product a patient is using, said researcher Kirsten Smith, PhD, MSW, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore. 'R ule number one — ask patients exactly what they are using and record the brand name because there are so many different products out there,' she told Medscape Medical News . 'Right now you can fairly easily test for mitragynine and usually when people say that they tested for kratom, what they're really saying is that they tested for mitragynine because if someone is using it regularly, it can stay in their blood for like 12 days after their last use,' Smith said. Testing for 7-OH right now is much harder. 'You would have to send it off to a specialty lab, and it's going to be more qualitative than quantitative because 7-OH is just not stable in the blood for that long,' Smith said. Even in the absence of testing, many patients will readily admit to using kratom — much more so than cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin — because the culture has moved to the point where it is considered to be just a supplement, Levounis said. 'The bad news is that they will also feel that there is nothing wrong with using kratom,' he said. 'It appears from a clinical perspective that the number one reason why people use kratom is to self-medicate kratom withdrawal. It's something that we have seen with benzodiazepines and cannabis where people use these substances to self-medicate the benzodiazepine or cannabis withdrawal,' he added. 'All of these substances that make you feel better are misinterpreted by the patients as doing something good for them. Meanwhile all that it is doing is bringing them back momentarily to baseline in order to satisfy the withdrawal symptoms,' Levounis said. How Do I Treat Kratom Misuse? Currently, there are no specific medications available to treat kratom misuse. While the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision does not specifically list kratom use disorder, experts noted that the 'substance use disorder — not elsewhere classified (SUD-NEC)' is a catch-all category for SUDs that don't fit neatly into the specific categories for specific substances like alcohol and cannabis. 'It's important to note that lower doses of kratom work as a stimulant and higher doses as an opioid. If you are pretty convinced that what you see is a stimulant aspect of kratom use, it's perfectly okay to give a patient a diagnosis of stimulant use disorder and then explain in your note that this is primarily kratom,' Levounis said. 'If you are convinced that the way that this particular patient uses kratom is as an opioid, because of a higher dose, then it's okay to give the patient the opioid use disorder diagnosis and in your note address the fact that this opioid is kratom,' he noted. The most frequent approach for treating kratom-related physical dependence is medication for OUD, specifically buprenorphine or buprenorphine-naloxone, Smith said, adding that treatment should be individualized. Treatment may also include psychotherapy and counseling, Levounis noted, adding 'it's important to treat any co-occurring psychiatric or other medical conditions, such as a legitimate pain disorder or opioid use disorder or anxiety or depression.' One reason for the lack of kratom-specific treatments is the lack of published case reports on kratom and 7-OH, Smith said.
Associated Press
08-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
SABER Steering Committee Member Dr. Paula Brown Highlights Urgent Need for Scientific Clarity on Kratom at International Symposium
CLEVELAND, OH, May 8, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- Dr. Paula Brown, a distinguished member of the Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) Steering Committee and Director of Applied Research at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, recently participated in the Fourth International Kratom Symposium, emphasizing the critical need for scientific clarity and regulatory oversight in the kratom industry. Dr. Brown, a recognized expert in natural health and food product research, addressed the complexities surrounding kratom, a botanical used traditionally in Southeast Asia and increasingly in the United States for pain relief, and increased focus to SunnySide Supplement Journal. She highlighted the confusion and misinformation in the marketplace, particularly concerning synthetic derivatives like 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Dr. Brown asserted, 'Synthetic 7-OH is not kratom—it is a highly potent, unregulated chemical,' underscoring the potential public health risks associated with such products. (Read the articlehere.) The symposium, held in February, brought together leading researchers from institutions such as the University of Florida, Johns Hopkins University, and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Discussions focused on advancing scientific understanding of kratom's safety and efficacy, as well as addressing regulatory challenges. Dr. Brown emphasized the importance of distinguishing between traditional kratom products and synthetic isolates to ensure consumer safety and informed decision-making. As a member of the SABER Steering Committee, Dr. Brown continues to advocate for evidence-based policies and practices in the natural products industry. Her participation in the symposium reflects SABER's commitment to fostering scientific research and regulatory clarity in emerging sectors. About Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) The Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing scientific understanding, regulation, and safe access to botanicals. Through research partnerships, policy advocacy, and public education, SABER works to ensure that natural products are studied responsibly, used safely, and regulated appropriately. To learn more, visit Media Contact Paloma Lehfeldt [email protected] ### SOURCE: Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
