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House passes bill to ban kratom sales, citing addiction and overdose concerns; possession and manufacture penalties set by weight
Summary
After hours of emotional testimony, the House passed Senate Bill 154 to ban kratom products, drawing supporters who cited addiction and family loss and opponents who urged narrower approaches; the bill imposes possession fines for small amounts and felony penalties for manufacturing and distribution by weight thresholds.
The Louisiana House on May 27 approved legislation to ban the sale and distribution of kratom products, a botanical extract linked in testimony to addiction, hospitalizations and at least one reported local death.
Chairwoman (Representative) Veil Villio carried the measure and described kratom as a product with stimulant effects at low doses and opioid‑like effects at higher doses. She and other supporters described family tragedies and public‑health reports documenting poison‑control calls, neonatal withdrawal concerns and product contamination. "Kratom can lead to overdose with symptoms ranging from nausea and vomiting to seizures, coma and death," Villio said on the floor, citing clinical reports and warnings from federal agencies.
The House heard multiple floor amendments seeking to narrow the ban to adulterated or synthesized versions of kratom while preserving access to the unprocessed leaf. Representative Amade and Representative Egan offered amendments to exempt the natural leaf or allow only non‑adulterated plant material; both amendments were rejected by recorded votes. Opponents of the ban argued some users — including veterans and others — report using leaf kratom to reduce more dangerous opioid use, and urged a regulatory rather than criminal approach.
Lawmakers also discussed penalties and thresholds. On the floor lawmakers described a graded penalty scheme: possession of 20 grams or less carries a $100 fine for a first conviction; possession more than 20 grams rises to misdemeanor penalties (up to six months in jail or $1,000 fines for a subsequent conviction). Manufacturing or distribution carries felony penalties tied to aggregate weight: less than 500 grams carries jail time and fines; 500 grams or more draws higher sentences.
Supporters cited recent FDA warnings and Department of Justice/DEA characterizations of kratom as a drug of concern; several members told emotional personal stories of local losses. After recorded votes defeating the leaf‑exemption amendments, the House adopted the bill. The transcript record shows 86 yeas and 6 nays on final passage.
Why it matters: The act would criminalize or restrict a botanical supplement currently sold in some stores and online and convert retail markets and supply chains; it also sets out penalties and weight thresholds that will determine enforcement and prosecutorial discretion.
What's next: The bill will proceed according to legislative procedure; supporters said the law is intended to reduce availability and harm while opponents warned it may push users toward other substances and urged treatment and prevention efforts.
