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IDSAM Supports Legislation Strengthening Regulation of Kratom
On March 27, the Idaho Society of Addiction Medicine (IDSAM) sent a letter of support for SB 1418. This bill contains strengthened regulations for the sale of kratom products including establishing a minimum age for purchase at 21 and bolstering requirements for warning labels on packaging. These improvements are in line with IDSAM’s recommendations from a previous letter.
In the new, March 27 letter, IDSAM praised SB 1418 as an important first step for regulating kratom products. IDSAM cited data indicating that Idaho has one of the highest rates of kratom exposure in the country, and expressed concern about the unintended consequences of a full ban, including abrupt forced withdrawal and a shift towards illicit opioids. Instead, IDSAM cited its desire for rational regulation that protects consumers and ensures access to addiction treatment. Finally, IDSAM resolved to work with other key stakeholders to further strengthen regulations and promote public awareness of the harms associated with kratom use as well as available treatment.
