SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane City Council is scheduled to discuss a proposed ordinance to ban kratom during its meeting tonight. No vote is expected at this session, which begins at 6 p.m.
Multi-Care, a local healthcare provider, expressed concerns about kratom, stating there is limited research on its potential risks. According to Multi-Care’s Sarah Welty, kratom sold in the U.S. is a synthetic lab-based product, unlike the plant-based form traditionally used in Asia.
Welty highlighted that while kratom is not regulated by the FDA, it is known to have potential addictive qualities. Users claim it helps with relaxation, pain relief, and energy boosts.
“There have been reports of people overdosing, there have been reports of deaths. Again – the research is pretty limited. There are documented instances where people either died of respiratory depression or some organ failure and they believe that it’s related to this kratom use,” said Welty.
Welty advises users to consult with a medical professional, as there are other medications available to treat similar conditions.
The discussion at the city council meeting aims to address these concerns and consider the implications of a kratom ban in Spokane.
