In Arkansas, the journey of kratom from a traditional herbal remedy to a Schedule I controlled substance has been fraught with controversy and tragedy. The push for kratom prohibition began in 2015 when Dr. Nate Smith, then director of the Arkansas Department of Health, received a report from a doctor at an addiction treatment center in Springdale. The report claimed kratom exhibited opioid-like effects, prompting the state to propose adding kratom alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, to its list of controlled substances.
By early 2016, kratom was classified as a Schedule I substance, making it illegal to manufacture, distribute, or possess. This move was part of a broader trend, as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had announced plans to ban kratom nationwide, only to withdraw the proposal after significant public outcry from kratom advocates.
In 2023, advocacy efforts led to the introduction of the Arkansas Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which aimed to regulate rather than ban kratom. The bill proposed guidelines for the safe sale and distribution of kratom products, but it failed to pass. As a result, kratom remains illegal in Arkansas, on par with substances like heroin and LSD.
The case of Marshall Ray Price, a 46-year-old man from Arkansas, underscores the severe penalties associated with kratom possession in the state. Price was serving a 10-year sentence for trafficking kratom when he tragically died in custody at the Greene County Detention Center in December 2022. Found with over 200 grams of kratom in his vehicle, Price faced felony trafficking charges.
Price’s death has become a focal point for advocates pushing for changes to kratom legislation in Arkansas. His family and supporters argue that his death was a result of the harsh penalties imposed for a substance they believe helped him and his overall well-being. They also claim that the charges against him were excessive and that he should not have been incarcerated for possessing a natural supplement.
The family has received multiple contradictory accounts from the Greene County Jail and instances of what they interpreted as police harassment. Newsweek’s investigation into Price’s death revealed that he died from blunt force trauma after a boxing match with another inmate. However, his family and independent investigators question the official version of events, suggesting that Price’s requests for medical attention were ignored.
The case of Marshall Ray Price highlights the broader implications of Arkansas’ strict drug laws and the need for a more nuanced approach to kratom legislation. Advocates argue that the current laws are overly punitive and fail to consider the potential benefits of kratom for some users.
As the debate over kratom continues, the story of Marshall Ray Price serves as a reminder of the human cost of drug policy and the importance of balancing public health concerns with individual rights and well-being.