PA Bill Would Ban Kratom For Children

HARRISBURG — A state House committee was scheduled Monday to take up a bill being pushed by a Montgomery County Republican state legislator that would prohibit Kratom possession by anyone under the age of 18.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Health Committee was scheduled to address the proposal, which is House Bill 2357, during a hearing at the capitol on Monday, according to legislative records.

The measure was first introduced back in January by State Rep. Tracy Pennycuick, a Republican representing the 147th Legislative District.

The bill, known as the "Kratom Consumer Protection Act," would prohibit the preparation, manufacturing, sale and/or distribution of Kratom products to individuals under 18 years old.

Pennycuick says that kratom, which is derived from a tropical tree in southeast Asia, is currently legal in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, and is readily available in pill/capsule form, and as an extract, despite the fact that the United States Food and Drug Administration lists the substance as a "drug and chemical of concern."

"Kratom can be addictive since the effects are similar to that of opioids and stimulants," Pennycuick wrote in her co-sponsorship memo that was circulated back in January.

Pennycuick stated that the FDA has yet to lend its approval of kratom for medical use.

The product is often used recreationally and has become popular in recent time across the country.

A number of states and cities have already previously banned Kratom.

Legislative records show that the Pennsylvania measure was sent over to the House Rules Committee after being heard in the Health Committee on Monday.

The FDA says it warns people against using Kratom because the substance exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse and dependence.

"There are no FDA-approved uses for kratom, and the agency has received concerning reports about the safety of kratom," the government agency wrote on its website.

According to an article on Healthline, Kratom has been used by some people for the treatment of chronic pain, digestive ailments and as an aid for opioid withdrawal.

The article said that at lower doses, Kratom seems to act as a stimulant, but at higher doses it appears to act as more of a sedative.