Last week, Bellingham City Council members unanimously approved a ban on Kratom. This effort joins government efforts to regulate the drugs. The City Council’s ban includes the “preparation, distribution and sale Kratom and related products, including products containing concentrated or synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH.”
In Bellingham, Kratom products were sold at many locations, including gas stations, smoke shops and convenience stores. These products were available to children and teenagers.
WHAT IS KRATOM?
Kratom comes from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia. It contains the opioids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine or 7-OH, according to the American Psychiatric Association. It can be sold as a powder, in tablets or capsules, as tea or another drink and is sometimes available in highly concentrated form because it remains unregulated.
Kratom is variously promoted as a wellness drink, a stimulant or as a way to withdraw from opioid drugs. Other medical professionals are expressing concern, too, including the Mayo Clinic. “Some studies have found that some Kratom sellers add more of the active ingredient than Kratom naturally has. Because Kratom products lack clear labels, it’s not possible to know how much Kratom people who use it take,” the Mayo Clinic said in an article published at its website.
WHAT LED TO THE BAN OF KRATOM IN BELLINGHAM?
Bellingham officials said they crafted the ordinance because Kratom products are widely available and mostly unregulated, according to the ordinance and supporting documents.
“The proposed ordinance responds to the local availability of these products and the absence of a comprehensive retail regulatory system that adequately addresses product strength, labeling, placement and youth access. By prohibiting local sales and distribution, the proposed ordinance is intended to reduce easy access by minors and adults, prevent substance misuse and dependency, lower the risk of poisoning and accidental overdose, and protect the community from longer-term health consequences.” Please See the PDF Packet (see page 118) on the meetings website.
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