Senators Booker, Lee & Pocan Behind Bill To Protect Psychoactive Herb Kratom

A bipartisan group of senators presented a bill to protect consumer access to kratom, a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia, which is currently not illegal and can produce effects similar to opioids, reported Marijuana Moment.

Being legal, kratom is easily accessible around the U.S. as a dietary supplement and is often sought as an energy booster, mood enhancer and pain reliever. In higher doses, the herb can induce sedation and pleasure.

Nevertheless, the lack of conclusive scientific research on kratom’s safety and efficacy, there’s an ongoing battle between its advocates and federal agencies that seek to regulate or prohibit the plant.

The Federal Clarity for Kratom Consumers Act, sponsored by Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), also aims to prevent the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from setting limiting requirements for the plant. Specifically, those that are more restrictive than allowable under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDAC).

The bill suggests that the department “could not treat kratom, or any product derived from or containing kratom, as an adulterated dietary supplement” or “require kratom to undergo requirements for notification as a new dietary ingredient.”

“I have heard countless stories of the benefits of kratom experienced by consumers across the country, including veterans, law enforcement officials, and everyday Americans who credit kratom with saving their lives,” Lee stated in a press release circulated by the American Kratom Association (AKA) on Wednesday. “This legislation that we introduced today will be life-changing for these Americans. The [Food and Drug Administration] needs to fulfill its duty to protect consumers, not abuse their powers in ways the Congress never intended.”

Under the proposed bill, the HHS secretary is expected to hold at least one public hearing to discuss the scientific data on the public health risks and benefits of kratom.

Also, a “Kratom Research Task Force” will be established under HHS in order to “coordinate kratom-related research conducted or supported by the Federal Government.” This task force would be in charge of submitting a report to Congress and the HHS secretary within three months of enactment presenting “all federally-funded kratom-related research that has begun or been completed.” Each quarter thereafter, the panel would need to update Congress on the status of kratom research, including an analysis.

Photo: Benzinga Edit; Sources: Laryssa Suaid on Pexels and Wikimedia Commons