Health and human services (HHS) recommended that the DEA make kratom a Schedule I drug, like LSD or heroin
The Department of Health and Human Services has recommended a ban on the chemicals in [the whole botanical plant] kratom … Several scientists expressed concerns that such a ban would stifle research on chemicals that could be developed into alternatives to the addictive prescription opioids that kill tens of thousands of Americans each year. They said banning kratom would harm people who are currently using the substance.
HHS asserted in a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration that two chemicals in kratom should be classified as Schedule I substances, meaning that the chemicals have “a high potential for abuse” and that there is “no currently accepted medical use” for them … Should the DEA make such a ruling, anyone who buys, sells, or uses the substances might face steep punishments, like prison sentences, and anyone who wants to do research with the chemicals would need to obtain special permission from the the DEA … Now, it’s up to the DEA to decide whether or not the chemicals should be placed on Schedule 1. DEA spokesperson Katherine Pfaff declined to say when this might happen, and said the process can take “months to years.” … STAT obtained the document through a Freedom of Information Act request sent in March to the DEA. The DEA routed the request to HHS. HHS provided a document that appears to be missing some pages but included the department’s recommendation. An HHS spokesperson declined to provide the complete document…
Original Article (Stat News):
Health and human services (HHS) recommended that the DEA make kratom a Schedule I drug, like LSD or heroin
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