A local drug taskforce in St. Johns County wants the County to ban the sale of Kratom.
The herb is known for helping people kick their addiction to opioids and manage pain.
However, recently the FDA warned it could have some of the same addictive qualities as opioids. That’s why the Polydrug Taskforce asked county commissioners to ban the herb in St. Johns County.
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Shiloh Franklin is an advocate for Kratom, she’s said in her life it’s done more help than harm.
“I was actually a helicopter pilot in training and before I could obtain my commercial license I suffered a back injury. I did a year of physical therapy I did steroid epidural’s and injections and none of it worked,” Franklin said.
Recently the FDA put out a warning stating that kratom affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine, and exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse, or dependence.
51% of people use Kratom for pain, 14% for anxiety and 9% of people use it for opiate withdrawal.
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Because the regulations are loose many from the Polydrug Taskforce who are trying to have it banned in St. Johns county fear that it could be getting into the hands of the wrong people like minors.
That’s why some people like Daniel Renaud are against the herb and he believes there needs to be more regulations.
“The problem is we just don’t know what the long-term effects are or even the near term affects for someone who’s taking it in different doses,” Renaud said.
Franklin said it has helped her and she hopes it can help others in similar situations.
“This is not a plant to be demonized this is a plant that is going to be part of the solution to the opioid crisis that we have in America,” Franklin said.
The St. Johns County commissioners chose to table the decision on Kratom until their next meeting in May.
People on both sides of the issue said they agree there should be age restrictions on purchasing Kratom.
Coming up at 11:00 on @ActionNewsJax a local group is trying to ban the sale of Kratom.
— Brittney Verner (@BrittneyVerner) April 3, 2019
One woman who said it helped her with pain management is against that.
She said “It’s going to be part of the solution to opioid crisis in America,”.
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Cox Media Group
