While political divisions tear away at the fabric of the country, I’m reminded daily that there are people who work together, across partisan divides, on important issues. That’s because an effort I’m engaged in has support from both sides of the aisle — and Utah has been helping to lead the way.
The issue involves something that most Americans are only now beginning to hear about: kratom. A leaf in the coffee family native to South Asia, it is sold in various forms. As the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food explains, kratom is “used as a stimulant and a sedative. It’s also been reported for treating chronic pain, digestive ailments and as an aid for withdrawal from opium dependence.”
But in certain concentrations, or for certain people, it can have opioid like effects. Some people have developed dependency.
Many people swear by kratom, including veterans who use it to treat PTSD. But others say it’s dangerous. This has put lawmakers across the country in a bind, trying to figure out what to do. Ban it? Regulate it? In Rhode Island, which already has a ban, the legislature recently voted to legalize kratom, but the governor vetoed the bill.
Utah was the first state to pass something called the Kratom Consumer Protection Act several years ago. It includes age limits and other crucial provisions over quality, strength and more. Some other states followed Utah’s lead. Individual cities and towns are trying to come up with their own measures as well. But they shouldn’t have to. The federal government should step in.
And again, Utah is leading the way in trying to make that happen. Republican Sen. Mike Lee introduced legislation aimed at ensuring that kratom is not banned outright, and also creating a task force to study and report on benefits and drawbacks. The bill was cosponsored by Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey. Another Democrat, Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, introduced a companion bill in the House. While this effort did not pan out, these actions made clear that bipartisan action is taking place — it just might not be what we hear about the most.
I follow these developments closely because I serve as CEO of MIT45, a company based in Salt Lake City, that sells kratom products. And while this may come as a surprise to some, I want federal action. Having studied the ins and outs of kratom in recent years, I am confident that it’s time for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to classify this substance as a supplement and enact regulations.
I have a great deal of respect for the FDA and the huge amounts of work it already faces. But I also know that it is the agency with the knowhow and experience to put in place the kinds of measures that would help protect people.
My company has taken our own steps voluntarily, including transforming our labeling in an effort to educate and protect consumers. But I also see that many of our competitors are not taking similar steps. Sadly, some are just looking to maximize profits in a short amount of time. Some are even trying to create products that are addictive or habit forming.
All Americans should be able to have faith that kratom products have met certain standards. They need to know that what they pick up at a store has passed safety protocols and is free of contaminants, heavy metals, toxins, mold and more. They need transparency and easy-to-understand information about what’s in the product, where it came from, serving sizes, daily values and more. I also support limiting sales to age 21 and over.
There’s a business incentive for federal action as well. In late 2021, Bloomberg estimated the kratom market in the United States alone at $1.3 billion. It has been growing rapidly ever since. Small businesses like mine in Utah can have a stronger future in this industry if bad actors don’t cause an outright ban.
It’s time for the FDA to take action. This is something that Republicans, Democrats, Independents and everyone else can call for together. After all, the potential benefits and dangers of kratom don’t discriminate based on politics.
(Ryan Niddel) Ryan Niddel is CEO of MIT45, a company based in Salt Lake City.
Ryan Niddel is CEO of MIT45, a company based in Salt Lake City.
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