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Sheriff asks Kootenai County to consider banning or restricting a substance referred to as "ratom"
Summary
Sheriff Robert Norris asked the board during public comment to put a substance he called "ratom" on the county'level radar, saying it has reached the coroner's office and other municipalities and urging discussion of a ban or coordinated restrictions with local cities.
During the public-comment period on April 7, Sheriff Robert Norris asked the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners to consider a county response to a substance he referred to repeatedly as "ratom." Norris said reports involving the substance have reached the county coroner and neighboring municipalities and that a bill concerning it previously failed in the Idaho Legislature.
"It failed in our Idaho legislature for a bill but ratom is uh is going to be a problem for this community," Norris said, adding it is currently sold over the counter and that there are no purchase restrictions in place. He urged the board to "put it on our radar" and to consider banning or restricting the substance at the county level, while also suggesting coordination with the county's three largest cities to avoid uneven rules across jurisdictions.
Commissioners asked whether a county ban would be actionable and whether banning in the county while cities allow sales would be effective or could harm businesses. Norris responded that banning or restricting locally was one option and that he expected legislative action in time, but he asked the board to study the issue and consult city leaders.
No formal referral, motion or vote was recorded. The board did not adopt any ordinance or directive during the meeting; commissioners asked staff for follow-up discussion and additional information before any policy action.
