A new bill aiming to regulate kratom, a controversial herbal supplement, has sparked a sharp divide among Colorado’s industry stakeholders. Senate Bill 072, which awaits Governor Jared Polis’s signature, would ban sales to those under 21, prohibit adulterated kratom products, and require clear labeling. It also caps the potent alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) at 2%, a move supporters say aligns with scientific consensus and curbs synthetic “superdrug” versions of kratom.
Proponents, including the Global Kratom Coalition, see the bill as a necessary step to protect consumers from dangerous, mislabeled products. However, critics like the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust argue the measure doesn’t go far enough, leaving the industry underregulated and failing to engage key stakeholders. The debate underscores broader questions about kratom’s safety, potential for addiction, and its role in harm reduction. Read more at Colorado Politics.
