Sterling Heights Bans Kratom Sales

The city of Sterling Heights, Michigan has banned the sale of kratom in all stores. The ban started this week and will be fully in place by June 5th. Police and city leaders say kratom is dangerous because it can cause health problems. However, some people disagree with this decision because they use kratom to help with pain.

Kratom is a drug that comes from a tropical tree. You can buy it at many gas stations and drugstores. The Sterling Heights Police Department studied kratom for a long time. They found that it can cause serious health problems like seizures and overdoses.

Lieutenant Aaron Susalla works for the Sterling Heights Police Department. He is also the president of the Sterling Heights Drug Free Coalition. Susalla explained that kratom is hard to control because it's so new. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that kratom can be toxic and cause addiction.

Not everyone agrees with the ban. Melody Wolf from Kalamazoo spoke at a city council meeting last week. She has used kratom for 12 years to help with her pain. Wolf says kratom helped her so much that she can now hold her husband's hand again.

Alison Smith flew from Washington D.C. to talk to the city council. She works with the Global Kratom Coalition. Smith thinks the city should ban only the fake version of kratom called 7-OH. She believes the natural form should stay legal because it helps people with chronic pain.

Some residents support the ban. Dennis Schmdt lives in Sterling Heights and worries about kids getting sick from kratom. He thinks it's wrong that children can buy such a dangerous drug at gas stations. Many parents and community members agree with him.

Stores in Sterling Heights have been told about the new ban. If they keep selling kratom after June 5th, they could get in trouble with the law. People can still use kratom in the city if they want to. They just can't buy it in Sterling Heights anymore.