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A bill that would make kratom illegal in Louisiana moves to the House. The Senate passed SB 154 yesterday on a vote of 26-11, split right down party lines. The author, West Monroe Republican Jay Morris, says kratom – sometimes known as “gas station heroin” – has already been banned in several places.
“Six states have banned it. A number of countries have banned it, including several of the countries where it’s actually grown in Asia,” Morris said.
Senator Morris says while kratom can easily be purchased online or in many gas stations throughout the state, the FDA has not approved it and discourages its use.
“FDA continues to warn consumers not to use kratom because of the serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures and substance abuse disorder,” Morris said.
Morris says he has heard many horror stories stemming from the use of kratom.
“My local hospital had an employee that approached me and told me that babies are being born addicted to this substance. But protective services won’t do anything, because it’s a legal substance,” Morris said.
Morris says Deputy Health Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan says he has treated more people for kratom overdose than those who have taken crack cocaine.
There was testimony in committee from citizens who say kratom helped them treat their depression or helped with chronic pain.
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