There is a bill that was introduced into the House that would reclassify the product kratom.

Iowa House Representative for District 23 Ray Sorensen mentions that House Study Bill 508 moves kratom from being unclassified to being a Schedule I drug, making it illegal in Iowa. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio more about what the classification means and does.

“Schedule I is the most restrictive drug classification. It’s in the same category as heroin, indicating high abuse potential, and no accepted medical use.”

Sorensen mentions that kratom is a plant based substance generally used to manage opioid withdrawal. He adds that while he takes public health and youth safety very seriously, he’s not sure that an outright ban should be the first step instead of strong regulation, age limits, labeling and quality control.