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FACT BRIEF

Has the FDA approved kratom, which is being debated for legalization in Wisconsin?

By Tom Kertscher
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NO

The federal Food and Drug Administration has not approved the herbal substance kratom for any medical or dietary use.

Kratom is an extract from a tree native to Southeast Asia whose leaves contain chemicals with mind-altering effects, according to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

A 2021 survey by the agency found that in the previous 12 months, 1.7 million people in the U.S. used kratom, which comes in leaves, powders and pills.

Many say they use it to fight opioid addiction, or to fight mental or physical pain.

The FDA says kratom carries a risk for liver toxicity, seizures and addiction, but that it would support kratom research.

Kratom is legally sold throughout much of the U.S., but it is a crime to possess or deliver in Wisconsin.

A bill introduced Sept. 5, 2023, would decriminalize kratom in Wisconsin. It was referred to an Assembly committee.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Food and Drug Administration FDA and Kratom
US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt39443/2021NSDUHFFRRev010323.pdf
National Institute on Drug Abuse Kratom | National Institute on Drug Abuse
New York Times What You Should Know About the Potential Risks of Kratom
Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association Kratom: Summary of State Laws
Wisconsin State Legislature Wisconsin Legislature: AB393: Bill Text
Wisconsin State Legislature 2023 Assembly Bill 393
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.