The Marion County Board’s Law Enforcement Committee tabled a vote on an ordinance banning kratom from being sold in unincorporated parts of the county. The decision came after board members received 11 e-mails from those who are using the natural kratom for medicinal purposes when nothing else worked. State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth will be asked to redraft the ordinance to ban only synthetic kratom.
Board member Josh Dunahee read from one of the letters submitted by Katheryn Magliaro.
“Natural, pure leaf kratom does not cause harm,” Magliaro’s letter read. “Instead, it made me a mother again, a wife, and a productive and functioning member of society again. If you include natural kratom leaf in a ban, you are ripping the progress people like me have made to shreds. This leaf gave my life back, and for that I and my family are eternally grateful for finding this herbal leaf.”
Dunahee was joined by Sheriff Kevin Cripps and Coroner Claude Howell in agreeing not to take away the benefits of the natural kratom, although the coroner warned there would be consequences.
“Just for the record, wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone just used things correctly?” Howell said. “We wouldn’t have to deal with this. The number of lives we’re going to lose because of this is going to be a lot more than eleven. But I totally agree with her and appreciate what she said, and I’m so glad she’s well and able to be a parent, very effective and active, that is amazing.”
While overdoses of kratom have caused health issues in the local area, Howell says there has been no deaths from the drug.
Board member Cody Rose who follows federal drug regulation says the federal government is also looking at only a ban on the synthetic form of the drug.
The issue is expected to be on next month’s law enforcement agenda which will give more people a chance to comment on banning the substance.
