Last week state Rep. Jim Prokopiak spoke as a panelist at the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce Government Committee’s “Kratom in Bucks County” educational forum.
Kratom is a plant from southeast Asia used for its psychoactive properties that the FDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have recommended that the Drug Enforcement Agency classify 7-OH, its semi-synthetic derivative, as a Schedule 1 controlled substance – placing it in the same category as heroin and LSD.
“Despite natural kratom products posing relatively few risks to consumers, the substances derived from it have caused an approximately 1,200% increase in kratom-related exposure reports, hospitalizations, and even death,” said Prokopiak. “Pennsylvanians need the information necessary to make informed decisions about what they are buying. That is why I am proud to have co-sponsored and voted for a bipartisan, commonsense bill that would protect our children, friends, and families.
Recently Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan has urged an emergency ban on the substance on has gone as far as shutting down its sale at a Buckingham business
Moderated by Kimberly Permar, executive director of the Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership, the forum covered topics that included the impact and effects of kratom use, law enforcement’s perspective, and recent legislation passed by the Pennsylvania House that aims to establish a regulatory framework for kratom.
Other panelists included Falls Township Police Chief Nelson Whitney, Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan, and Diane Rosati, executive director of the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission.
House Bill 2657, introduced by state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, along with Prokopiak, state Rep. Kyle Donahue, and state Rep. Dan Frankel, was highlighted as a potential step forward. This legislation would ban the sale of synthetic kratom, and create a statutory framework for the sale, distribution and quality control of kratom products within Pennsylvania.
House Bill 2657 is now in the state Senate awaiting further consideration.
“Far too many Pennsylvania families have been negatively impacted by kratom, unaware of the addictive qualities of a product sold legally all across the state,” said Prokopiak. “Pennsylvanians deserve to know what they’re putting into their bodies, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to help better inform our neighbors.”
Prokopiak thanked the LBCC Government Committee and his fellow panelists for their contributions to the event.