Don’t Ban Kratom in Toledo

Dear Members of Toledo City Council,

I am writing as a concerned Toledo resident regarding the proposed legislation to ban the sale of kratom within city limits. I urge you to carefully consider the distinctions between natural leaf kratom and dangerous synthetic derivatives before taking action.

Natural leaf kratom is safe and traditional. For centuries, kratom leaves have been used in Southeast Asia responsibly for wellness and energy. Unlike the concentrated synthetic products sometimes highlighted in the media, traditional kratom is a night and day difference from the risks posed by concentrated synthetic products..

Synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) opioid products are not representative of kratom. Many reports of harm involve concentrated synthetic derivatives sold under the guise of kratom. These products are highly potent, chemically altered, and possess a very different risk profile than natural leaf kratom.

A blanket ban could punish responsible adult users. Banning kratom entirely would prevent adults who choose to use this legal botanical safely from accessing it, without addressing the root cause of the harm caused by synthetic products.

Policy should reflect science and research. Peer-reviewed studies and expert guidance highlight kratom’s potential benefits while emphasizing that responsible use is key to safety. Evidence-based regulation, rather than reactionary bans, will better protect public health.

This distinction is critical in light of recent regulatory actions on the federal level that may be influencing decisions locally.  It is critical Toledo City Council understand natural leaf kratom and synthetic concentrated 7-OH opioids.

On July 29, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announced that the agency is targeting synthetic, concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products for federal scheduling under the Controlled Substances Act, citing their extreme potency and high risk of addiction. See this video in which Commissioner Makary emphasized that this action is focused solely on these chemically concentrated derivatives and does not apply to natural leaf kratom, which remains widely used and has not been subject to regulatory scrutiny. In his statement, he clarified that natural leaf kratom products are legally available and were explicitly excluded from the agency’s enforcement priorities, reinforcing that the FDA’s concern is limited to the dangerous, synthetically enhanced compounds.

I respectfully urge you to distinguish between natural leaf kratom and dangerous synthetic derivatives in any legislation and to consider solutions that allow safe, informed adult access while targeting truly hazardous products.  

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I encourage you to make decisions grounded in science, experience, and fairness.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address or Ward, optional]
[Your Email or Phone, optional]