City leaders in Kellogg have approved a ban on kratom sales, making the northern Idaho community the first municipality in the state to prohibit the substance within its borders.
The Kellogg City Council passed the resolution Wednesday night in a unanimous vote. Under the new rules, retailers already stocking kratom have until May 8 to clear the products from their inventory. New businesses will be barred from selling the substance going forward.
Local Retailers Affected
At least three Kellogg businesses currently carry kratom products. The substance is also available for purchase in nearby Pinehurst and Wallace, according to local officials.
Police Chief Paul Twidt led the effort to restrict kratom sales in Kellogg. Earlier in the week, Twidt said his department had grown increasingly concerned about usage levels observed in the community and the absence of age restrictions or other regulations governing who can buy kratom.
What is Kratom
Kratom is derived from a plant native to Southeast Asia and contains naturally occurring alkaloids. At lower doses, the substance produces effects similar to stimulants, while higher doses mimic opioid-like sedation.
In the United States, kratom is typically sold as a powder, capsule or prepared beverage. It is marketed as a natural supplement, though some products on the market are semi-synthetic formulations.
These semi-synthetic versions start with compounds extracted from kratom but undergo chemical alteration or concentration to isolate or amplify specific alkaloids. Such products tend to be more potent and faster-acting than natural leaf kratom, with heightened risks of dependence and adverse reactions.
Regional Interest in Similar Action
Mayor Rod Plank said the decision to ban kratom followed his own review of the issue and information supplied by the police chief.
Multiple cities in the region have indicated they are weighing similar bans and were observing how Kellogg’s measure would unfold before taking action themselves.
What Comes Next
With Kellogg now setting a precedent as Idaho’s first city to enact a kratom ban, neighboring municipalities may move forward with their own restrictions in the coming weeks. Retailers in Kellogg have until early May to comply with the new prohibition, and enforcement will fall to local law enforcement.