Nebraska State Senator Loren Lippincott filed Legislative Bill 431 today, aiming to classify kratom as an illegal controlled substance under the state’s Controlled Substances Act.
Kratom products.
The bill defines kratom as any product or ingredient derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant that contains the active alkaloids mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine, as well as any synthetic materials containing these compounds.
If passed, LB431 would align Nebraska with a handful of states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, where kratom is currently illegal. Schedule I classification is reserved for substances considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
Kratom has been used for thousands of years, particularly in Southeast Asia, where it has been valued for its medicinal properties. The leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa plant are often consumed as tea or in powdered form, providing effects that range from mild stimulation to pain relief. Proponents of kratom argue that it can aid in managing chronic pain, anxiety, and even opioid withdrawal symptoms.
However, opponents of the substance, including some health officials, express concerns over its safety and potential for abuse. Senator Lippincott’s proposed legislation reflects growing debate in the U.S. over whether kratom should remain accessible as a herbal supplement or face stricter regulation.
According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, kratom may be useful in combatting Alzheimer’s disease.
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