SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Scranton lawmakers held a first public reading on Tuesday of a controversial move to ban kratom products in the Electric City.
Several people who say they’ve benefited from the pure version of kratom spoke out.
They say it’s not fair to lump the synthetic version of the over-the-counter substance with the naturally occurring chemical found in leaves.
The Food and Drug Administration has not approved kratom as a drug and warns that it poses serious risks to consumers.
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Many also worry that it produces opioid-like effects.
Right now, kratom is readily available in gas stations and smoke shops.
It remains unregulated in Pennsylvania, and some stores prohibit selling to anyone under the age of 21.
The ordinance must undergo multiple readings by the Scranton City Council before it can be approved and signed into law.
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