Cheney council advances first reading of ordinance to ban kratom sales after public safety debate

The Cheney City Council moved forward with a first reading of Ordinance Z03 on April 28 that would prohibit the retail sale of kratom within the city limits.

A public commenter, Alicia Delugy, told the council the substance "activates the same neural pathway activated by morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone" and urged the city to make any ordinance effective immediately rather than delaying the effective date. Police and first responders said they are seeing harmful effects consistent with opioid-type symptoms but cannot detect kratom in routine toxicology screens, creating enforcement challenges. As the police chief explained, "we're struggling with that; we're not really seeing it in a tox report," meaning treatment is symptomatic and criminal testing is limited.

Council members debated paths short of a local ban, including voluntary outreach to local retailers, a regional proclamation, and coordinated county or state action to limit sales. Several council members and public-safety staff said limiting neighborhood access—particularly for children who are less able to order online or travel—was a priority. One council member proposed directing any administrative fines collected under the ordinance toward education and outreach; legal staff confirmed that language could be added when the ordinance returns for additional readings.

Supporters argued local action helps build political pressure for state-level regulation. Opponents and some members questioned the ordinance's reach given online sales and cross-jurisdictional availability, suggesting a phased approach that first seeks voluntary retailer compliance and regional coordination. After discussion, the council approved the ordinance's first reading by voice vote, preserving options to amend penalties, fee uses, or the ordinance's sunset if higher-level regulation is later enacted.