Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2635 and Senate Bill 430 into law, making kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH, Schedule I controlled substances effective July 1.
The new law designates the substances as having a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use, according to a May 8 news release from the Kansas Hospital Association. Kratom is a plant-based substance with stimulant and opioid-like effects, and 7-OH is a more potent alkaloid found in kratom products.
The Kansas Hospital Association noted the ban could lead to more patients experiencing withdrawal or overdoses if individuals switch to other substances.
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