Bedford family says their son overdosed on a little-known substance called kratom. Anyone over 18 can buy it legally in Texas, doctors have some concerns and lawmakers are trying to crack down on it.
“He was vaping it, he was taking it in pill form,” said Linda. “And it has done about 50% damage to his lungs.”
That’s why the family is pushing for more regulation, education, and awareness of the effects kratom can have on the body. “I think what draws people to kratom is this unregulated nature, that I can go out and go buy Kratom. Much like I can buy tobacco,” he said. He said he’s seeing similarities in marketing between kratom and delta-8 THC, another controversial psychoactive substance that is manufactured from hemp-derived cannabidiol . According to the, delta-8 THC products have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for safe use in any context. However, they may be marketed in ways that put public health at risk.
He added there's also been an uptick in calls to the Poison Control Center for kratom, with cases of a link to salmonella and even the substance being found in certain exercise and diet pills.Kratom is unregulated in Texas. That means manufacturers can put anything they want in their products to enhance it – even if it’s unsafe.
House Bill 861 and Senate Bill 497 aim to regulate the sale of kratom products in the state. They would ensure vendors follow safe manufacturer standards and label their products properly.
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