On Wednesday, April 13 a House committee will hold a public hearing on SB 540, a bill to ban the use of kratom by anyone under age eighteen.
Kratom is an herb that acts as a stimulant in small doses and a sedative in larger doses. Kratom is not regulated by the federal government.
Supporters of kratom argue that the plant can be used to ease the effects of opiate withdrawal, helping addicts stop using drugs such as heroin and fentanyl.