Kratom Industry Pushes for Legislative Support Amid Regulatory Concerns

In a recent move to circumvent potential regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Kratom Association (AKA) is rallying support for new legislation concerning the kratom plant. The bill, introduced by Republican Senator Mike Lee and co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Cory Booker, aims to legalize the importation of kratom into the U.S. and establish a “Kratom Research Task Force.” The task force would be responsible for reporting the benefits and drawbacks of kratom within 90 days of the law’s enactment. AKA’s principal lobbyist, Mac Haddow, stated that the legislation would make the FDA accountable for any disinformation against kratom. The move comes as kratom, a Southeast Asian tree whose leaves are used for various effects including pain relief, remains in a legal gray area in the U.S. Read more at Courthouse News.