The Arkansas Senate has passed a bill to lift the state’s ban on kratom, a plant-derived substance with both stimulant and opioid-like effects. Sponsored by Sen. Greg Leding (D-Fayetteville), the proposed “Arkansas Kratom Consumer Protection Act” seeks to remove kratom from the state’s controlled substances list and establish regulations for its sale to adults.
Arkansas is currently one of only five states where kratom is classified as a Schedule I substance, alongside heroin and cocaine. The bill aims to align Arkansas with neighboring states where kratom is legal, addressing issues such as severe penalties for possession and cross-border complications.
If enacted, the law would require lab testing of kratom products, ban synthetic derivatives, and impose fines for violations. The bill now moves to the House for further consideration. For more details, read the full report at Arkansas Times.