Gov. Jared Polis signs new kratom regulations after behind-the-scenes fight on policy

Gov Jared Polis signed into law new regulations for the herbal remedy kratom on Thursday giving resolution to a population lobbying campaign that included the family of someone who died from kratom-related complications and an herbal supplement company that offered free product to people who called their lawmakers to urge a veto Senate Bill bars kratom from being sold as candy or in a way that appeals to children increases labeling requirements and limits the concentration of kratom s more potent progressing compound -hydroxymitragynine commonly marketed as -OH It also bans the manufacture and distribution of synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom Kratom is a traditional herbal remedy from Southeast Asia that proponents say has prospective for a variety of uses including as a stimulant or pain reliever or as recovery for depression anxiety and opioid withdrawal The Harvard Diagnostic School however warns of considerable uncertainty of kratom s physical condition risks and that a lack of independent research into the plant means there s not enough information for any definitive conclusions In a signing comment Polis wrote that he supports people making their own choices but emphasized the need for people to be able to make informed choices with common sense labeling requirements There have been instances where a small two-ounce shot may contain more than times the functioning ingredient -Hydroxymitragynine than what occurs naturally yet the product lacks ingredient serving size or warning information Polis wrote He also thanked the family of Daniel Bregger a -year-old Denver resident who died in after ingesting kratom and diphenhydramine a common ingredient in Benadryl and sleep aids for fighting to hopefully prevent future tragedies The law is named after Bregger So much could ve prevented Dan s death basic consumer protections clear labeling dosage instructions and prohibiting these dangerous concentrated products synthesized from kratom Daniel Bregger s father David disclosed in a announcement I fight in honor of my son so it will mean something In the current era is further vindication I thank the lawmakers and advocates who fought alongside me to get this bill passed Sen Kyle Mullica a Thornton Democrat and sponsor of the bipartisan bill mentioned the state moved the ball forward and kept specific of the more harmful products off the shelf with the new law But he hopes to continue working on the issue in future years It s definitely a step in the right direction Mullica revealed He added but we still have to figure out the ultimate resolution here to make sure we are regulating the product the best that we can Related Articles Feds detain immigrant family at Denver courthouse amid new Trump strategy Gov Jared Polis vetoes bill that would have banned algorithm that White House noted drove up Denver rents Trump administration publicly lists sanctuary jurisdictions including of Colorado s counties Colorado s struggling low-income medical care centers to get boost under new law At town hall Bennet faces protests over Israel s attacks in Gaza The new law faced pushback from the industry Members of the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust an advocacy group for plant-based treatments including kratom reported they welcomed regulation for the increasingly popular product but the new law creates confusion and loopholes for people trying to skirt the rules The concentration limit for example leaves open manufacturers increasing other ingredients without touching the overall potency they argued For thousands of Coloradans living with chronic pain or recovering from opioid use kratom-derived products aren t fringe supplements they re an essential part of their recovery Jeff Smith national framework director for the group stated in a report But SB puts that at threat This law doesn t protect those who rely on these products It makes things more confusing more uncertain and easier to exploit by bad actors Stay up-to-date with Colorado Politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter The Spot