Virginia Board of Pharmacy Rejects Kratom Ban Proposal

In a recent decision, the Virginia Board of Pharmacy declined to take action on a proposal to classify kratom as a Schedule I drug, a move that would have significantly restricted its sale and use across the state. The proposal, submitted by Hampton Roads pharmacist Jennifer Nicole Brandt, aimed to place kratom in the same category as substances like heroin and LSD, which are deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

The Board’s decision, announced on Wednesday, cited insufficient evidence to support the claim that kratom lacks medicinal value. This outcome followed a public comment period that saw thousands of responses, with many advocating for kratom’s benefits, particularly its pain-relieving properties and its role in addiction recovery.For more details, read the full article on the Richmond Times-Dispatch here.