Battle Creek State Senator Bizon Looks To Regulate Kratom

Battle Creek’s Michigan Senator is attempting to crack down on a plant he calls dangerous.

State Senator Dr. John Bizon introduced a bill Tuesday which would regulate kratom as a Schedule 2 drug, meaning it could only be obtained by prescription; kratom, a plant native to southeast Asia, affects opioid brain receptors and is often used by people trying to curb opioid addiction. Senate Bill 0433 would also regulate all parts of the plant, known botanically as Mitragyna speciosa, as well as "any extract or resin from any part of that plant; and every compound, salt,. derivative, mixture, or preparation of that plant or its leaves, seeds, or extracts."

Other Schedule 2 drugs in Michigan include opioids, cocaine, and amphetamines.

Sen. Bizon tells 95.3 WBCK that “this is something new on the market” that has been linked to some deaths; it is typically found in the system of along with other drugs in those cases. Bizon says that with the current lack of regulation on the state level, "anyone of any age" can buy kratom over the counter if a business is willing to sell to minors.

Dr. Bizon, who is the only physician in the state Senate, says "I am willing to testify and tell people what this does" as his bill heads through the Legislature.

SB 0433, which currently has no co-sponsors, is before the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.