City commission work session hears presentation on kratom risks and local ordinances
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Summary
Presenters from CARE of Southeastern Michigan told the city commission that kratom and potent synthetic derivatives are increasingly available at local retailers, described an ordinance adopted in Clinton Township that restricts sales to 21+ and sets enforcement and fines, and urged further local coordination while state legislation remains pending.
At a city commission work session, representatives from CARE of Southeastern Michigan presented findings from retail scans and described local and state efforts to regulate kratom and its synthetic derivatives.
Susan Sykes, identified in the meeting as president and CEO of CARE of Southeastern Michigan, said the organization’s goal is "to keep products that may be harmful out of the hands of youth and adolescents," citing increasing visibility and inconsistent labeling as key concerns. Presenters described kratom as a plant in the coffee family that in small doses can act as a stimulant and in larger doses produce analgesic or sedative effects, and they warned that concentrated synthetic derivatives are being marketed as kratom.
The presenters flagged a particular synthetic compound they identified in their materials as "7 0" (presenters described it as approximately "13 times more potent than morphine") and said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued press releases about related public-health risks. CARE staff said routine drug screens commonly used by courts and hospitals do not typically include kratom, creating data gaps for monitoring use and harm.
The presentation summarized a Michigan bill the presenters referred to as "House Bill 49 69," described in the slides as the "Kratom Consumers Protection Act." According to the presentation, the measure—introduced in September and advanced through a committee in November—would, if enacted, limit purchases to people 21 and older, require licensure and product testing, set labeling and potency standards, and prohibit certain synthetic derivatives. Presenters said the bill had seen limited movement since committee action.
As a working local example, CARE described a Clinton Township ordinance the presenters said was introduced Jan. 12 and adopted Jan. 26. Per the presentation, the ordinance restricts kratom sales to persons 21 and older, covers synthetic derivatives, requires signage and valid ID checks, assigns enforcement to the Clinton Township Police Department, and establishes violations as a civil infraction with a $500 penalty.
CARE outlined its environmental-scan methodology and results for Macomb County municipalities, saying it visited gas stations, liquor stores, smoke shops and grocery stores. Presenters said about 30% of retailers visited sold kratom, with smoke shops most likely to stock it, and that about 20% of retailers offered self-service access (products reachable by customers without staff assistance). They also reported that "almost no retailers had warning labels or potency information posted," and that product packaging and websites often lack ingredient lists or full disclosures.
During a question-and-answer segment, an attendee asked whether ordinances could be sidestepped by manufacturers creating synthetic variants, noting past experience regulating substances such as K2. CARE responded that the ordinance language they used includes extracts, derivatives and products derived from the plant and that some of the concentrated compounds are synthesized from natural kratom constituents.
Commissioners also asked about impairment. A presenter said high-potency synthetic products would be expected to "hinder brain function, decision making, response time, reaction time" and, depending on dose, natural kratom can have impairing effects as well.
CARE representatives said they do not lobby on legislation but noted medical and addiction-professional groups have submitted letters supporting the state bill discussed in the presentation. A Clinton Township trustee who attended described using opioid-settlement funds to test for kratom in local clients and said staff found people who showed opioid-like symptoms but tested clean on standard opioid panels; after further inquiry they were identified as suffering from kratom dependence.
Commissioners thanked presenters and indicated they would compile additional questions and consider follow-up sessions to continue the discussion. The work session then moved to adjournment.
The presentation materials and CARE’s countywide scan were described as work in progress; presenters said they are compiling a full report and coordinating with nearby communities on potential ordinance language and enforcement approaches.
