The Christian County Board will vote on a potential ordinance that would ban kratom within the county. This comes after a vote by the Christian County Health Department’s board at their monthly meeting Wednesday to propose said ordinance. The board also passed a resolution expressing its support for a county-wide kratom ban.
Kratom comes from the leaves of a tropical evergreen tree native to southeast Asia. Excessive consumption of kratom is shown to carry effects similar to illicit drugs, including opioids. This has led to bans on the substance in the states of Utah and Washington, while officials in Massachusetts and Idaho have proposed similar measures.
During the public comment portion of Wednesday’s meeting, several community members spoke in favor of the proposal. One person shared his story of experiencing kratom addiction.
The ordinance, if passed, would ban the possession, distribution, delivery, or use of kratom throughout the county. The county board must vote in favor of the proposal for it to take effect. The next Christian County Board meeting is tentatively set for Tuesday, June 16.
