Kratom industry leaders in Missouri criticized a provision that could allow for highly-potent and potentially-dangerous synthetic Kratom derivatives to remain on store shelves.

The Missouri House on Wednesday advanced a bill that would enact new regulations on Kratom products, which the National Institute on Drug Abuse defines as “an herbal substance that can produce opioid- and stimulant-like effects.”

As the debate over Kratom's safety and legality continues to unfold, Missouri lawmakers are grappling with how to regulate a popular plant-based substance that has gained both advocates and critics across the state

Kratom products are currently legal both federally and at the state level in Missouri. However, legislation that received initial approval on Wednesday would put an age restriction on who can buy Kratom along with limitations on ingredients. The bill needs a final vote in the House before going to the Senate.

Mac Haddow, senior policy fellow with the American Kratom Association (AKA), is an advocate for safe Kratom production, sale and usage across the USA. Haddow stated that the AKA opposed a change made to the legislation before Wednesday's vote. This is despite having initially provided the language for the original bill which is based on the AKA's model legislation, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.

In the bill approved by committee earlier this month, products containing a synthetic form of a natural Kratom alkaloid (called 7-hydroxymitragynine or 7-OHM) would still be sold without regulation.

Haddow described the synthetic version of 7-OHM as "very dangerous" and as "addictive as heroin".

The revised version of the bill, however, targets "any product marketed or sold as Kratom" containing more than 2% of the alkaloid 7-OHM (synthetic or natural).

Haddow argued that the change would allow unscrupulous retailers to rename their products ommitting the term Kratom to get around the regulation. He stated the change undermined the original intent of the bill to remove dangerous synthetic Kratom products from circulation.

“We oppose the addition of the language that would allow for 7-OHM products to be sold in the state, not calling them Kratom,” he said, though he still supports the bill.

“But that’s at least a better compromise than 7-OHM products being sold as Kratom, which misleads consumers.”

As Missouri continues to navigate the complexities of Kratom regulation, it remains clear that finding a balance between protecting public health and respecting personal choice will be essential. With growing awareness and ongoing research into the plant's effects, the future of Kratom in the state will depend on careful deliberation and collaboration among lawmakers, health professionals and the public.