Iowa City Shuts Down Kratom Ban

In the past few weeks, Iowa City has been in the spotlight due to its ongoing discussions about kratom regulations.

The city council initially moved toward a city-wide ban on kratom sales, citing public health concerns and the lack of FDA approval. However, the council recently paused this push, voting 6-1 to indefinitely deny a third vote on the ban.

Council members expressed concerns about government overreach and the impact on users, with some suggesting that kratom should be regulated similarly to tobacco. "I just don't think that (kratom) has risen to a level where it necessitates us intervening," Councilor Megan Alter told the Iowa City Press-Citizen. "It was not on anybody's radar."

Iowa City resident Carolyn Ryan told the Press-Citizen that "this kratom ban is just one more way to send people at risk for overdose the message that your government doesn't care that you live or die."

Councilor Andrew Dunn suggested that kratom be regulated like tobacco. Tobacco regulations are overseen by the state, however. Therefore the council plans to work with state legislators to address the issue in the upcoming legislative session.