Residents urge Cheney council to act on kratom after testimony of addiction and exposure concerns

Two Cheney residents used the public-comment period to press the City Council to address concentrated kratom products sold at local gas stations.

"My name is Clayton. I'm a Cheney resident, a husband, a father, and a nurse," Clayton said in an emotional account of his struggle. He told the council that he began with "one drink every few weeks and slowly turned into six bottles a day," and that concentrated kratom products marketed as wellness drinks can produce euphoric and sedating effects that people do not anticipate. He asked the council to "consider what is best for the health and future of our community." (Clayton, Resident)

Alicia Dellucci told the council the two-minute public-comment limit constrains the public and urged the council not to "kick the can down the road" on kratom policy. She said she has been contacting state and federal agencies and urged the city to take a lead role, citing concerns first responders have raised about community exposure. (Alicia Dellucci, Resident)

Council members thanked both speakers and noted the public-health and public-safety concerns raised. The record shows no formal motion or ordinance on kratom at this meeting; council discussion later focused on scheduling and ancillary agenda items. The council did not take formal regulatory action on kratom during the session.