Is Louisiana Going To Ban A Drug That’s Been Legal For Years?

ratom is said to be a natural supplement that helps ease pain and anxiety, yet Louisiana is close to banning the substance. Why? Because some say kratom is causing "untold devastation to Louisiana families & citizens."

Is a substance that's been sold over the counter for years really that dangerous?

Why Do People Use Kratom?

Kratom starts as a leaf, but can be ground up and consumed in a lot of different ways, and has been for hundreds of years. According to the National Institute of Health, it was only in 2015 that kratom became a regular product on the shelves of gas stations and smoke shops.

People take kratom usually as a pill or sometimes as a drink. The "high" provided by kratom is said to be a stress and pain reliever, but very few studies have been able to prove if these effects are real. It is confirmed, however, that the effects of kratom are similar to opioids and stimulants.

Why Some in Louisiana Want Kratom Banned

On paper, that all makes Kratom seem like something for everyone, because who doesn't experience at least some stress or pain? But there are serious concerns around kratom and what it could do to your health.

Concerns about kratom abuse have gotten so serious that Jay Morris of the Louisiana State Senate has proposed making it illegal to buy, sell, or possess any amount of the natural substance.

Kratom is undeniably an addictive substance. Kratom has its withdrawal symptoms like any other serious drug, and studies have even found that if a baby's mother uses kratom while pregnant, the baby will suffer withdrawal symptoms after birth.

Louisiana could be on track to ban and criminalize kratom, but with public outcry over the risks associated with kratom, it's somewhat surprising how few people have lost their lives to the drug.

In 2022, there were 56 deaths because of kratom, 68 the year before, and 58 the year before that. In comparison, over 87,000 people died because of opioids from 2023 to 2024. Kratom has its health risks, but as an alternative to opioids, an outright ban could criminalize people who are trying to find a safer alternative to either prescription pain killers or illegal drugs.

If the bill passes and the state bans kratom, selling, buying, or possessing kratom could lead to a fine and even jail time.