LSAM Shares Kratom Policy Recommendations with Louisiana Lawmakers

On September 13th, the Louisiana Society of Addiction Medicine (LSAM) sent a letter to the leadership of the Health and Welfare Committees in both the Louisiana House and Senate outlining its position on kratom policy. LSAM stated its opposition to expanding retail sales and urged lawmakers to operate with extreme caution when regulating the drug.

In the letter, LSAM provided background information about what kratom is and how it functions. LSAM cited statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicating that kratom was connected to over 100 fatal overdoses in an 18-month period. Further, LSAM summarized research concluding that kratom’s medical benefits are outweighed by its risks. Despite this evidence, kratom use is increasing and its advocates fail to properly disclose its significant risk to consumers. As such, LSAM urged lawmakers to refrain from passing legislation to facilitate growth of the kratom market in Louisiana, while also recognizing the need for further scientific investigation into kratom’s supposed medical benefits. 

Read the letter here.