Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia that, when consumed, has psychoactive effects similar to opioids and has often been used to reduce fatigue, pain or withdrawal symptoms, and to alleviate anxiety and depression. It can be consumed in a variety of ways, including in teas, through consuming the powder of the plant, chewing the leaves of the plant, smoking the leaves, as well as in tablets, liquids, or capsules. However, kratom can be addictive with long term use, and kratom products have been found to contain dangerous chemicals which were not advertised.
 
While kratom continues to be unregulated at the federal level, the Drug Enforcement Agency has designated it as a “drug and chemical of concern.” Due to increased concerns regarding kratom products, a number of states have begun to regulate or prohibit kratom products. Pennsylvania is not one of those states.
 
To ensure that these products are properly packaged, labelled, and sold in this Commonwealth, we are introducing legislation to regulate kratom. Our legislation will prohibit the sale or distribution of a kratom product to an individual under 21 years of age and require clear labeling on products with the ingredients, directions for use and how to safely consume the product. Additionally, processors and retailers would be prohibited from selling, providing, distributing, or advertising a kratom product in a way that is appealing to children.
 
Please consider joining us in this effort to ensure that kratom products are properly regulated in this Commonwealth.