CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Local officials in Clinton Township are taking action to regulate the sale of kratom, an over-the-counter substance that mimics the effects of opioids, amid growing concerns about teen access to the product.
The Clinton Township Board of Trustees voted Monday (Jan. 12) to introduce and publish an ordinance that would prohibit retailers from selling kratom to anyone under the age of 21.
The measure would require retailers to post signage clearly stating age restrictions and verify customer identification before purchase.
“If you are a 10-year-old kid and wanted to walk up to the corner store and buy some candy and buy a kratom energy drink, you can, and there’s no regulations around that,” said Clinton Township Trustee Shannon King, who introduced the ordinance.
The local action comes as state lawmakers consider House Bill 4969, co-sponsored by State Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-District 61), which would establish statewide regulation of kratom products.
“This is a bipartisan bill,” Mentzer said. “This drug needs to be regulated in our communities and kept out of the hands of kids who are under 21.”
Representatives with CARE of Southeastern Michigan gave a presentation during the meeting, sharing that at least 30 retailers sell kratom products in Clinton Township. Many display age-restricted signs for alcohol, tobacco, or nicotine, but not kratom.
Judge Carrie Fuca, who presides over the drug court treatment program in 41B District Court, said those who are struggling with opioid addiction often trade one addiction for another when they turn to kratom products.
“It’s undoing everything that we’re doing because they’re getting the same effects they would be getting from the opioid,” Fuca said.
Fuca said the court can’t add kratom testing to the regular drug testing panel for defendants because screening for kratom is significantly more expensive than testing for other drugs.
“If I could add it to every panel of every defendant that I’m drug testing for any other drugs, I would do it,” Fuca said. ”I can’t because it’s cost-prohibitive.”
Carol Grant, a Harrison Township resident whose family member struggles with kratom addiction, hopes the local ordinance will encourage state-level action.
“Because there’s a current House bill on the floor right now, if they see the communities doing it locally, then I’m hoping and praying they’ll follow and do the right thing for all the communities,” Grant said.
The Clinton Township Police Department will enforce the ordinance, with each violation carrying a $500 fine. The measure is expected to be adopted at the board’s next meeting.