As a law banning Kratom makes its way to Governor Landry for his signature or veto, advocates and users of the plant-based supplement say the legislation could devastate lives across the state.
Scott Ploof, editor-in-chief of Big Easy Magazine, is among those sounding the alarm.
“This ban would impact over 300,000 people in Louisiana who rely on Kratom for chronic pain, PTSD, and even addiction recovery,” Ploof said. “Many of these individuals would otherwise turn to harder and far more deadly drugs.”
Kratom, derived from a Southeast Asian tree, has grown in popularity in recent years for its reported medicinal effects.
Users include a wide range of people like veterans, doctors, lawyers, and those in addiction recovery, who say it provides relief without the harmful consequences of opioids.
“It does not cause fatal respiratory depression the way fentanyl or heroin does.”
But opponents of the supplement cite concerns about safety and regulation. Ploof argues those concerns are often misguided.
“Many of the cases critics point to involve other illicit drugs being present or the use of a gas station, amped-up version of Kratom, not the natural plant.”
Two proposed amendments to the bill, which would have regulated synthetic or enhanced Kratom products sold in convenience stores while protecting access to the natural form, were voted down. Ploof says this was a missed opportunity.
“We could have cracked down on the real problem without hurting people who depend on this plant for quality of life.”
What’s especially striking, according to Ploof, is the widespread public support for keeping Kratom legal.
“This is not a partisan issue,” he said. “There’s support for Kratom whether you’re red or blue. That support is coming from the people, the voters, not the politicians.”
As the legislative session continues, Kratom users across the state are watching closely. For many, the debate isn’t about a supplement; it’s about survival.
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