RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia legislators have rejected a proposal to regulate kratom, a controversial but legal narcotic, leaving the widely-available product in legal limbo.
Under a bill patroned by Delegate Hyland “Buddy” Fowler (R – Hanover), the commonwealth would have regulated the sale of kratom, an “herbal supplement” derived from a tree native to Indonesia.
Kratom is touted by advocates as an alternative to opioids that can offer pain relief without the high risk of addiction from painkillers like Oxycodone and Fentanyl.
But the sale and manufacture of kratom is largely unregulated. The substance is banned in six states and sold under industry-backed regulations in four states. In the rest of the country, there are effectively no restrictions on its sale — something an industry lobbyist warned was detrimental to Virginia residents.
Read more at WRIC Richmond
