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Montana committee hears hours of testimony on kratom consumer-protection bill
Summary
A broad hearing on House Bill 407 drew national witnesses and lengthy debate over regulation, safety, and impacts on small kava/kratom businesses. Supporters urged a state consumer-protection framework; small-business operators warned proposed language was overbroad and could shut craft vendors out of the market.
HELENA — Lawmakers and witnesses spent hours debating House Bill 407, a measure that would create a state regulatory framework for kratom products and require independent testing, registration and labeling for vendors selling products in Montana.
The bill drew a national witness and industry advocates as proponents and local proprietors and operators of kava/kratom cafés as critics. Supporters framed the proposal as a consumer-protection measure that removes adulterated or synthetic products from the market; opponents said some provisions would unintentionally burden or close small, on-site beverage businesses.
The bill’s lead opponent in the room was Mac Haddow, senior fellow on public policy for the American Kratom Association, who told the committee the FDA’s earlier attempts to schedule kratom failed and urged state…
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