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Friday, Sep. 22, 2023

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

Tom Kertscher, Wisconsin Watch
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.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

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