House Bill 1566, which would initiate a legislative study on kratom regulations, is set for a public hearing in the North Dakota Senate.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will review the measure on March 14 at 9:15 a.m, with the public open to give comment on the proposal.
The bill, which passed the House last month in a decisive 79 to 6 vote, directs the legislative management to examine kratom’s potential uses and regulatory framework. The study’s findings and any proposed legislation would be reported to the next legislative session.
Introduced by Representatives D. Johnston, Christianson, Klemin, J. Olson, Schneider, and VanWinkle, the measure would establish guidelines for kratom products, including labeling, independent testing, and restrictions on synthetic alterations. It also includes licensing requirements for retailers and penalties for unlicensed sales or violations of product standards.
Kratom, derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, is a plant native to Southeast Asia that has been used for thousands of years for its stimulant and opioid-like effects. Many users take kratom for pain relief and mood enhancement, while others use it to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms.
If approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, HB 1566 will be sent to the full Senate for consideration.
