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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 9, 2023 01:16 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Tracy Pennycuick |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Kratom Consumer Protection Act |
| Soon, I will be reintroducing legislation to create the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. My bill will make several important changes designed to protect consumers from harmful additives, misleading descriptions, and, most importantly, ensure the protection of our children. Kratom is derived from a tropical tree (Mitragyna speciosa) from Southeast Asia. The leaves of this tree contain compounds that can cause hallucinatory effects. Currently, Kratom is a legal substance that is readily available and commonly sold as a pill, capsule or extract in many convience stores across the Commonwealth. Kratom can be addictive since the effects are similar to that of opioids and stimulants and, when abused, can lead to death. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has publicly stated that Kratom is not a controlled substance according to the Controlled Substances Act, but has yet to lend their approval of Kratom for medical use. It is important to note that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has listed Kratom as a “Drug and Chemical of Concern.” My proposal will prohibit the preparation, manufacturing, sale or distribution of kratom products mixed with unsafe materials/ingredients and the sale or distribution of kratom products to individuals younger than 21 years of age. These commonsense measures will help to ensure that consumers know exactly what they are receiving when they purchase a Kratom product and that children do not have access to this substance. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Szuchyt from my office at 215-541-2388 or mszuchyt@pasen.gov. |
Introduced as SB614