Sabine Parish adopts ordinance banning sale and possession of kratom; penalty schedule to be reviewed next month

The Sabine Parish Police Jury voted April 16 to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the sale, distribution and possession of kratom and its analogs within the parish.

The ordinance, introduced earlier this month, describes kratom as an herbal extract and finds that "studies on the effects of kratom have identified many safety concerns and no clear benefits." It makes sale, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute illegal within parish boundaries and creates misdemeanor penalties.

Under the ordinance as adopted, a first conviction carries a fine of up to $250 or jail of up to 15 days, or both; a second conviction carries a fine of up to $500 or jail up to 30 days, or both. During debate a legal adviser explained that parish-level penalties are constrained by state law and cited Louisiana Revised Statute 33:1243 (as stated in the meeting) as the provision setting maximum parish misdemeanor penalties.

Jurors also said they intend to return to the ordinance next month to consider amending the penalty schedule. Several jurors suggested changing the first-offense fine to $500; the chair said adopting the ordinance now would enable immediate enforcement and that any penalty adjustments could be pursued by amendment at a subsequent meeting.

Motion and vote: The motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Juror Bison and seconded by Juror Byrd; the jury took the measure into effect at the meeting and directed staff to return with an amendment at the next meeting to adjust penalty amounts if the jury chooses.

Ending: The ban takes effect upon adoption; jurors directed staff to publish the ordinance in the official parish journal and to prepare a proposed amendment to the penalty schedule for the next meeting.