California Shelves Kratom Regulation Bill Amid Advocacy Group Dispute

A proposed bill in California aimed at regulating kratom products has been shelved following disagreements among advocacy groups. Assembly Bill 2365, introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney, sought to impose stringent regulations on kratom, a substance derived from Southeast Asian tree leaves. The bill would have required kratom products to be registered, labeled with warnings, and banned for sale to individuals under 21. It also aimed to limit the concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine, a compound linked to kratom’s addictive potential.

The bill faced opposition from the American Kratom Association and the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust, who argued the regulations would be financially burdensome and stifle potential therapeutic benefits. Conversely, the Global Kratom Coalition and law enforcement groups supported the bill, emphasizing consumer safety. The bill was ultimately stalled in the state Senate’s appropriations committee due to cost concerns and political challenges. For more details, see the full article on the Los Angeles Times.