
by: Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy
THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES THEIR VERSION OF THE KRATOM CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT ON AN OVERWHELMING VOTE!
The American Kratom Association, and every Kratom Advocate, is grateful for the courageous and important statement to the federal government that Georgia will do what is necessary to protect kratom consumers from dangerous adulterated kratom products. This nearly unanimous vote is a strong repudiation of FDA’s unfair and deeply flawed attack on kratom.
Sponsored by Representatives Hill, Caldwell, Jones, Mathiak, and Newton, the Georgia version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act does the following:
- Restricts kratom sales to kids under the age of 18
- Requires clear labeling of kratom products labels that shows:
- The amount of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in the product
- A list of each ingredient listed in order of predominance
- Clear directions for use
- Precautionary statements on the safety and effectiveness of the product
- The name and address of the manufacturer
Based on discussions with Georgia Senators on this bill, it is expected the Kratom Consumer Protection Act will be passed when it is up for consideration.
While it is unfortunate that the FDA is not protecting kratom consumers under their existing authorities in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the individual states are on their way to acting responsibly to protect kratom consumers.
While it has been an enormous challenge from a financial standpoint for AKA, there are now lobbyists working in the following states to promote similar legislation:
State
|
Status
|
Utah
|
Passed both Houses, enrolled for Governor’s signature
|
Arizona
|
Assigned to House Health Committee
|
Rhode
Island
|
Assigned to House Health Committee
|
Georgia
|
Passed the House in a 164-1 vote
|
Missouri
|
Filed, in Rules Committee for Committee Assignment
|
Idaho
|
Filed, awaiting Committee assignment
|
Michigan
|
Filed in 2018 session, awaiting new filing in 2019
|
Oregon
|
Legislative Counsel
|
Kansas
|
Legislative Counsel
|
Nevada
|
Filed, awaiting Committee assignment
|
Wisconsin
|
Bill being drafted
|
|
|
We are committed to pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in as many states as possible, and we are extremely grateful to those who have made the financial sacrifice to allow for lobbyists to be deployed in these states.