BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO) – In an 86-6 vote, the North Dakota House passed a bill that would ban the sale of natural kratom to those under age 21 and create licensing and labeling requirements and criminal penalties.
Republican State Representative Dr. Eric Murphy of Grand Forks, a University of North Dakota biomedical sciences professor, voted in favor of the legislation. He believes it’s important for the state to allow natural kratom to be available to those battling pain.
“It’s safer than THC. We’re in a body that allows 10 times the FDA limit for THC and we call it safe,” Murphy explained.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse says kratom can produce opioid and stimulant like effects.
Republican State Representative Ben Koppelman of West Fargo said the bill is a good start, but it brings questions.
“I don’t know that we’ve had enough time to know what the outcome of a bill like this will be. Whether or not this is the right approach. Whether the licensing fees are the right amount. Whether this form is the only form that’s viable,” Koppelman said.
The lawmakers who voted against the bill are Dem-NPL State Reps. Gretchen Dobervich of Fargo, Collette Brown of Warwick Lisa, Finley-Deville of Mandaree and Republican State Reps. TJ Brown of Fargo, Dwight Kiefert of Valley City and Nico Rios of Williston.
The legislation now moves to the Senate.
The Senate passed a bill banning kratom and its derivatives and has penalties for its use and possession.
The American Kratom Association has urged lawmakers to adopt science-based regulation of natural kratom and ban chemically manipulated 7-OH products and synthetic derivatives.
“North Dakota can protect consumers with strict age restrictions, testing, labeling and enforcement without eliminating access to responsibly regulated natural kratom. Lawmakers still have an opportunity to get this right and protect the free market and American consumers,“ the organization wrote in a statement.
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