COLORADO GOVERNOR POLIS SIGNS BILL REGULATING KRATOM: THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Set to take effect in July 2023, Colorado will join seven other states including Oregon and Missouri that have put into place consumer safety regulations for kratom, as Governor Jared Polis signed the Regulation of Kratom Processors Act, Senate Bill 22-120, into law. According to Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the American Kratom Association, Colorado has become one of three states including Missouri and Oregon to pass legislation regulating the production, purchase, sale, and / or use of kratom.

How will this legislation modeled after the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) impact you as a kratom consumer? Here’s what you need to know about the latest kratom news!

What Exactly Is the Regulation of Kratom Processors Act?

This act is designed to protect kratom consumers and “requires that, prior to selling or offering for sale any kratom product, each kratom processor must register with the department of revenue (department) and disclose certain information regarding each of the kratom processor's kratom products.”

This bill was designed to provide you with protection against unsafe kratom vendors and products and serves several purposes, including:

• Allowing the investigation of FDA reports of adverse effects
• Preventing the sale of kratom to anyone under the age of 21
• Prohibiting the adulteration of kratom
• Setting standards for the labeling of kratom products

According to leg.colorado.gov, SB 22-120 reads as follows:

• Establishes the minimum requirements for kratom products;
• Prohibits the sale of kratom products to individuals under 21 years of age;
• Requires a kratom processor to notify the department within 7 days after being notified that an adverse effect report was made with the federal food and drug administration regarding any of the kratom processor's kratom products;
• Authorizes the department to investigate adverse effect reports to determine whether a kratom processor has violated any of the standards specified in the bill;
• Requires the publishing of names and addresses of registered kratom processors on the department's website and allows the department to share the list of names and addresses with state and local agencies enforcing laws related to kratom; and
• Prohibits retailers from selling or distributing kratom products to individuals under 21 years of age and from selling or distributing kratom products that are manufactured by unregistered kratom processors.

Are Kratom Regulations Actually a Good Thing?

Yes, they are! It’s great kratom news for vendors and consumers, actually! While it may involve a few extra steps for reputable producers and suppliers to comply with the law, it allows us and all vendors to provide consumers like you, who believe in the science that backs kratom benefits, to purchase a safe product.

How Will This New Regulation Impact Me as a Consumer Living in Colorado?

In most parts of the state, this provides a layer of protection to you as a kratom user and you can continue legal use of kratom products with the added benefit of knowing your products are well regulated for your health and safety.

For those in areas such as Denver, Monument, or Parker, Colorado where kratom possession and / or use is illegal, you will be able to legally possess and consume kratom without fear of legal consequence as soon as the law goes into effect.

The FDA Says It’s Not Safe for Consumption. Is Kratom Unsafe?

Kratom, scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a plant from the same family as coffee. It is a natural herb that has been safely used for thousands of years in Southeast Asia due to its amazing wellness benefits.

Over the past few decades, the FDA has taken action against the import of kratom, stating that this natural plant is a safety concern. According to the FDA website, kratom should not be used as it “... appears to have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence.”

The truth is there is no scientific study that concludes kratom is unsafe or that it results in psychological or physical dependence as the FDA claims.

In 2017 the Drug and Alcohol Dependence journal, after 57 years of research concluded and published the following: “This study clarifies that there is no good scientific basis for claims that kratom causes , and the available data do not indicate that kratom is a significant public health problem.”

What’s the Latest News Regarding Kratom Bans in the United States?

Though attempts on a federal level to regulate kratom and schedule it as a controlled substance have failed, six states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, have a kratom ban and listed it as an illegal substance.

Unfortunately, there are still some states that are actively trying to criminalize kratom, and other states have strict regulations in place. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has listed it as a Drug and Chemical of Concern and (thankfully unsuccessfully) attempted to place the active kratom materials in the plant into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

But, the good news is the fight continues, and laws are being changed! Prohibition hurts consumers, and it’s time for it to end by establishing regulations that closely examine all aspects of production including labeling, purchase, and sale for consumer safety.

Is There a Way I Can Support Safe Kratom?

We love it when our customers get involved! Super Speciosa is recognized by the American Kratom Association as a GMP Qualified Vendor, and we are fully committed to keeping kratom safe. We feel it should be accessible to anyone who wishes to experience wellness through kratom and encourage you to support the cause by visiting ProtectKratom.org.

As Super Speciosa, We Work Hard to Ensure You Have Access to the Highest Quality Kratom Products

Our Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) involve conducting third-party testing to ensure the quality and safety of all our products. On each of our kratom teas, capsules, and powder packages, you’ll find a QR code and batch number. This code gives you instant access to lab certificates that prove the product has been thoroughly tested. We go above and beyond regulations and will continue to do so, maintaining transparency and integrity in everything we do.