GC Health District officials seek kratom sales ban within county

EPHRATA — Grant County Health District officials are urging local governments to ban the distribution and sale of kratom products within the county.

Last month, the Grant County Board of Health – which includes county commissioners and representatives from several local cities and towns – passed a resolution supporting legislative efforts “to keep these products out of our community,” according to a May 27 press statement.

Kratom is a psychoactive substance derived from a tree native to Southeast Asia. Kratom leaves have long been used for their medicinal and stimulant properties. But the leaves can also be processed into powder form or an extract at higher concentrations.

The processed extracts, including an alkaloid called 7-OH, can be a stimulant or produce opioid-like effects, depending on their potency, dosage, and the individual user. In street slang, kratom is sometimes referred to as both “herbal speedball” and “gas station heroin.”

Kratom is not federally regulated or listed as a scheduled drug by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Consequently, kratom products can vary in potency and have not been widely studied for their long-term health effects. Any regulation must come at the state or local level.

“Kratom is an emerging public health threat and is widely available in retail settings such as smoke shops, gas stations, and online markets,” the Grant County Health District stated. “While kratom has been around for centuries, some products are now “enhanced” or concentrated to create a stronger effect on users.”

Local health officials said the products are often packaged and marketed to look like candy or sweet treats, which makes them potentially appealing and accessible to kids if there is no mandated minimum age for purchase.

According to the health district, the Washington Poison Control Center has reported a significant increase in kratom-related calls including incidents involving kids and 7-OH products.

Consumption can cause substance use disorder, liver toxicity, depressed breathing, seizures, withdrawal symptoms, and overdose, the district said.

Earlier this week, Grant County commission chair Kevin Burgess said the county prosecutor’s office is reviewing possible draft language for an ordinance that can be considered by himself and fellow commissioners Cindy Carter and Rob Jones.

During their June 3 meeting, Ephrata City Council members gave consensus approval for city staff and legal counsel to provide additional information for their consideration. The council heard from Reece Leavitt, a prevention program coordinator for the health district, who said local retail sales of kratom products “is a concern,” particularly those with high concentrations of 7-OH, due to the risk of overdose.

“We’re trying to get ahead of the issue,” said Leavitt.

Councilman Matt Moore questioned the economic impact to retailers, who would be responsible for enforcement if restrictions or a ban were imposed, and if the city could face liability exposure “if a kid OD’s.”

Potentially, said attorney Anna Franz, if local officials were knowingly aware of  ordinance violations and did nothing to enforce them. But city administrator Ray Towry doubted there would be a liability issue if the city’s role was educational, not regulatory.

Franz, Leavitt and others noted that Washington lawmakers considered, but did not pass, several kratom-related bills during the legislative session earlier this year. Franz said she thinks legislators will revisit the topic of regulatory controls in 2027.

Certain other products — alcohol, tobacco, marijuana — now have statewide rules governing local retail sales, including age limits. And other municipalities have already enacted regulations regarding kratom products.

Cities and counties in Washington have “broad police powers” to regulate public health and safety if their measures do not conflict with general laws, wrote Linda Gallagher, a senior policy adviser with the Municipal Research and Services Center and former state Assistant Attorney General, in an analysis last month.

MRSC is a private nonprofit organization serving local governments in Washington state.

Gallagher noted that the cities of Cle Elum, Othello, Spokane, and Spokane Valley have adopted ordinances banning kratom sales and distribution within their jurisdictions. Retailers who violate the rules can face civil penalties and have their city licenses revoked.

Meanwhile, Grant County Health District personnel suggest that parents talk with teens and youth regarding substance use and what to look for in products that look like treats or natural energy boosters. People should talk with their doctor if they need help with opioid addiction, anxiety, mood disorders, or pain.

 “Kratom is not a safe or approved method for managing these symptoms and concerns,” the district said.