New York Steps Up to Regulate Kratom

New York has made some important moves to control kratom, a plant that some people use for different reasons. The state is trying to keep it away from young people and make sure adults know what they are buying. The Kratom Consumer Advisory Council (KCAC) is happy about these changes. They think the new rules are a good balance. The rules make sure kids can't get kratom, but adults who want to use it can still do so safely. Two new laws are part of this change. One law, supported by Senator Patricia Fahy and Assemblymember John McDonald, stops young people from buying kratom. The other law, backed by Senator James Skoufis and Assemblymember Phil Steck, makes sure kratom products have clear labels. This way, people can make smart choices when they buy kratom.The KCAC has been talking to people on both sides of the kratom debate. They have come up with ideas for how to regulate kratom in a fair way. The new laws in New York match many of these ideas. The state is also working to stop the sale of strong, man-made versions of kratom. These versions can be dangerous. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said these strong versions should be tightly controlled. But the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has not yet made a decision about this. New York's rules are a good start, but there is still more to do. The KCAC is a group of experts and consumers who want to make sure kratom is safe and properly regulated. They believe the new laws in New York are a step in the right direction. But they also think more can be done to protect people from the dangers of strong, man-made versions of kratom.