Idaho health officials warn about kratom dangers as cities consider regulations

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — A new warning is being issued on the widely available supplement kratom, which also goes by “herbal speedball” or “gas station heroin.”

Idaho’s Panhandle Health District says the drug is highly addictive and has overdose potential. It has caused deaths in North Idaho.

Kratom comes from a native tree in Southeast Asia. The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies it as a drug. Products containing it are not regulated by the FDA but are sold across the region.

Doctors say higher doses have effects similar to opioids. If you consume too much of it, it can lead to death. The drug is sold in the form of liquids, powders or pills.

Smoke shops that sell kratom aren’t happy about the warnings. David Koontz, a smoke shop purchasing manager, says concerns come from confusion about different kratom products.

“The misconception right now is coming from 7 OH or 7 hydroxy which they throw under the kratom umbrella. But kratom naturally doesn’t ever have that much seven hydroxy in it,” Koontz said.

Koontz also said kratom is being mischaracterized.

“It’s getting thrown around in those terms as like some kind of new designer drug or whatever that they’re saying that is on there,” he said.

The smoke shop acknowledges the dangers of kratom but says customers often use it for pain relief.

“Most of the time there’s people that have experienced a really bad injury that they’re on a daily basis feeling like a pain that is just draining of their energy,” Koontz said.

Idaho’s Panhandle Health District’s medical director wrote in an alert today reminding the public of some of the signs of overdose, which include nausea, vomiting, agitation and restlessness. They note that deaths have been associated with the drug in North Idaho. The health district has not provided specific death numbers.

Tonight, Spokane City Council is discussing banning kratom at their meeting. Washington legislators have also taken up the issue, debating whether it should be prohibited or heavily taxed.