‘It’s the wild west’: Texas legislature to decide future of kratom
AUSTIN (KXAN) – This session, the Texas legislature will look at two bills related to regulating kratom products – an herbal substance that can produce opioid-and-stimulant-like effects– which are easily accessible for anybody over 18 in the state. While Texas looks at ways to make the substance safer for consumers, others states are contemplating whether it should be banned.
What is kratom?
Kratom products are derived from the leaves of a tropical tree grown in the South Pacific. It has two psychoactive alkaloids – mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragynine. To feel the effects, the leaves are chewed; dried and smoked; or powdered and put into capsules to be taken orally – how it is commonly sold in Texas.