Brian

Scientists: Kratom Extract “A Blessing and a Curse”

In a letter to the journal Addiction, kratom scientists including Oliver Grundmann, Christopher McCurdy, Abhisheak Sharma, Kirsten Smith, and Marc Swogger emphasized that kratom leaf, sold in crushed or dried for in the West and used for at least hundreds of years in Southeast Asia, is different from kratom alkaloid extract products, manufactured recently and …

Scientists: Kratom Extract “A Blessing and a Curse” Read More »

Federal Kratom Regulation Bill Introduced for 2023 Session

Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI) are sponsoring a bill in the US House (HB5905), and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) is sponsoring a companion bill in the US Senate (SB3039) that would require the federal government to research and hold hearings on kratom, and limit the power of the Food and Drug …

Federal Kratom Regulation Bill Introduced for 2023 Session Read More »

Zachary, Louisiana Kratom Ban Hearing Scheduled for Today at 6:30pm CST

The town council of Zachary Louisiana will hold a hearing today (Tuesday September 12, 2023) at 6:30pm CST at Council Chambers, 4700 Main Street to determine whether the possession and sale of kratom will be banned in the town. Kratom advocates are encouraged to contact the councilmember sponsoring this ban, Ambre Devirgilio at [email protected] as …

Zachary, Louisiana Kratom Ban Hearing Scheduled for Today at 6:30pm CST Read More »

Kratom Could Reduce Alcohol Consumption, Say Scientists

The alkaloid speciogynine may be a starting point for low-risk treatment Self-reports of kratom use as an alcohol substitute exist online, though they have not been as well documented in the scientific literature as other motivations for kratom use, such as substitution for opiates (Smith et al, 2023). In one survey of US residents, 18% …

Kratom Could Reduce Alcohol Consumption, Say Scientists Read More »

Media Conflates Milder Kratom Leaf with Stronger Kratom Extract

Recent media reports about kratom-related deaths are leaving out basic information about these tragic events. Preexisting conditions and possible drug interactions are sparsely mentioned or left out of reports entirely. Media is also using the term “kratom” to describe all products, from fresh leaf to extract to kratom products mixed with other substances (such as …

Media Conflates Milder Kratom Leaf with Stronger Kratom Extract Read More »

Kratom Vendor Who Lost $11 Million Lawsuit Failed to Launch a Defense

Grow LLC, selling under the brand Kratom Distro, failed to show up in court to defend itself against the family of a Florida woman who died after ingesting “Space Dust”, a extremely strong kratom extract, sold to her by the company in a poorly labeled packet. On March 24, 2023, in the case of Devin …

Kratom Vendor Who Lost $11 Million Lawsuit Failed to Launch a Defense Read More »

Lawsuit Awards $11 million to Family of Woman Who Died After Taking Strong Kratom Extract

Grow LLC, the company selling kratom under the vendor name “Kratom Distro”, has been ordered to pay $11 million to the family of Krystal Talavera, a Florida woman with pre-existing health conditions who died after ingesting “Space Dust”. Sold in an unlabeled package with no accompanying information, Space Dust has been reported to be an …

Lawsuit Awards $11 million to Family of Woman Who Died After Taking Strong Kratom Extract Read More »

Study Finds Drug Busts Related to Increase in Overdose Deaths

A study published in American Journal of Public Health found fatal drug overdoses increased following police seizures of illicit substances. Researchers examined data over a two year period in Marion County, Indiana, and “compared frequency and characteristics of drug (i.e., opioids and stimulants) seizures with changes in fatal overdose, emergency medical services nonfatal overdose calls …

Study Finds Drug Busts Related to Increase in Overdose Deaths Read More »

Louisiana just passed a law regulating a nonexistent substance called “mitragynine speciosa”

Pay attention to the spelling of the terms in italics, especially if you’re a Louisiana legislator. Mitragyna speciosa is the scientific term for kratom. Mitragynine is the term for an alkaloid in the kratom plant (usually the most abundant alkaloid present). Mitragynine speciosa is not a thing, but that didn’t stop it from being regulated …

Louisiana just passed a law regulating a nonexistent substance called “mitragynine speciosa” Read More »

Czech Republic Anti-Drug Coordinator Still Pushing for Kratom, Cannabis to Be Regulated

Anti-Drug Coordinator of Czech Republic, Jindřich Vobořil, told the popular Czech news website Novinky.cz in an interview that he is still pushing for sensible regulation of kratom and cannabis. On Tuesday, June 20, Vobořil met with leaders of the government’s five-party coalition about his proposed regulation. Despite worry from one of the parties, Vobořil said …

Czech Republic Anti-Drug Coordinator Still Pushing for Kratom, Cannabis to Be Regulated Read More »