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City Council to consider ban on kratom sales in Iowa City
October 1 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Hunter
10/01/24
The Iowa City City Council will be considering a ban on kratom sales.
Kratom is a Southeast Asian tropical tree which is currently being sold over the counter, commonly in pill form. The FDA says the leaf and products from the tree are used to treat pain, coughing, diarrhea, anxiety and depression.
Kratom is also used to manage opioid use disorder and opioid withdrawal, but has not been approved by the FDA. The United States Drug Enforcement Agency calls it a drug of concern, and warns that consumption of the drug can lead to addiction.
The Press-Citizen reports the City Council previously discussed the dangers of widespread marketing of non-FDA-approved medicine during August work sessions. They approved a ban on new tobacco permits extending through the end of the year to give the council time to study what they said was “the best ways to mitigate the harmful impacts of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products on public health.”
The new city ordinance would outlaw the sale of kratom at stores within Iowa City limits, but not restrict the possession or use of the drug.
The ban could take effect as soon as October 15th, but could be delayed into November if changes are made to the current ordinance up for vote.