Kansas City votes to ban “gas station drugs.”

  After months of public pressure, the Kansas City Council has passed a new city ordinance banning the sale of the “gas station drugs” named kratom, 7-OH, and chemical inhalants like nitrous oxide.

 The new standards prohibit the sale of all smokable, vapeable and candy-like forms of kratom, as well as banning the sale of all products that use chemical inhalants such as nitrous oxide and 7-OH, a synthetic form of kratom. Some natural forms of kratom are still allowed, with a newly added 21+ age restriction. 

  “It is actually more addictive than weed or anything else, really. I mean, it’s some bad stuff,” said Josh Nortom, an employee at Vapor Room 816. 

  According to Nortom, kratom is frequently stolen from vape shops around the city. For that reason, his store no longer keeps it in stock.

  Products containing the drug are often advertised as a “safe” alternative to marijuana or opioids. Despite those claims, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) assures that it is addictive and potentially dangerous. 

  Though the ban has significant support, students have expressed concerns as kratom has become increasingly popular in managing opioid withdrawal symptoms due to its accessibility and low cost. 

  “If people use it to help with their addictions to harsher substances, then I think that people should be able to have access to it if it is helping them with something else that could harm them more,” said Taylor Griffin, junior communications major.

 “I mean, people drink alcohol, and there are a lot of alcoholics. People smoke weed. Marijuana is legal. So I guess I don’t see why that shouldn’t be,” said Griffin. “I mean, people die from drinking alcohol, right?”

  Others have expressed concerns that eliminating this market could push many to buy drugs on the street. 

“I suppose there is a risk that people would turn to more risky alternatives if they do not have access to it,” Dr. Adam Algren, department chair for UMKC’s school of emergency medicine, said. “I would encourage users who are dependent on kratom to seek out help with addiction specialists. Newer, safe, effective options exist in managing opioid dependence.”

 According to the most recent reports available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 91 deaths linked to kratom overdose between 2016 and 2017.

  “It’s hard to tell with this where you draw the line between what’s a drug and what’s not a drug.” Ethan Manemann, a freshman business major, said. “These risks are minimal, but is it getting into that drug category?” 

  While not nearly as powerful as other opioids, there are still risks to using the drug. The DEA claims that there have been many reported cases of psychosis induced by excessive Kratom use, as well as several other side effects, such as liver toxicity and seizures. 

  “Kratom is an opioid like other opioids,” said Dr. Algren. “It could be used to treat withdrawal.  However, this would not be the preferred approach.”

  The Kansas City Public Safety committee voted to pass a new ordinance on Tuesday, Feb. 10, with final approval from the City Council passing on Thursday, Feb. 12.