08-22-2023 LOUISIANA KRATOM BAN ALERT – CITY OF ZACHARY

HERE WE GO AGAIN, LOUISIANA! THEY ARE COMING FOR OUR KRATOM!

This evening, 08-22-2023, a city ban ordinance (#2023-11) was introduced by the Zachary City Attorney John Hopewell and Mayor Pro Tempore Councilwoman Ambre DeVirgilio at the City Council meeting in Zachary, Louisiana, a small town just north of Baton Rouge. The Councilwoman spearheading the effort, Ambre DeVirgilio, posted this insulting warning on the City Council’s facebook page regarding the announcement of the ban ordinance to kratom and kratom advocates:

“A word of warning to out of this municipality Kratom users and lobbyists: your one-sided arguments, as well as picking and choosing of literature will be deleted from my page and you will be blocked. Your harassment via Messenger will reported to Facebook and you will be blocked. Your phone call harassment will be declined and you will be blocked. I will not be bullied by a billion dollar plus industry that is driven by the opioid epidemic and those with interests in profit over people. Take your arguments to Washington DC and get Federal regulations on the substance you are lobbying for.”

Their facebook page states, “Only people who follow this Page for more than 24 hours can comment.” Ms. DeVirgilio has blocked multiple kratom advocates, and made fun and laughed during the hearing about how she had already gotten a number a phone calls.

THE AGENDA: “August 22, 2023, Part N. New Business, Item #2“, which states: “Introduction of ORDINANCE 2023-11 AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF ZACHARY TO AMEND CHAPTER 58 OF THE CITY’S CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ALLOW THE CITY TO ADOPT REGULATIONS DESIGNED TO REGULATE THE SALE AND POSSESSION OF MITRAGYNA SPECIOSA KORTH (“KRATOM”) AND TO BE DESIGNATED AT §58-40 ALL REGULATED WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS AND FOR ANY AND ALL RELATED MATTERS IN FURTHERANCE (John Hopewell).”

THE VIDEO [Timestamp 1:00:34]: Zachary City Council Meeting 08-22-2023

Ambre Devirgilio read directly from her notes, and mentions the FDA, the DEA, Opioids, Morphine, Heroin, “legislation by Senator Caleb Kleinpeter (2023 State ban bill author),” and this cringey statement, “the agonist for kratom is naloxone“. Huh?

Observing this kangaroo council session was akin to watching a troupe of thespians passionately denouncing a play they’d neither read nor comprehended, let alone practiced pronouncing its title. One would think that before legislating the nuances of kratom, the ESTEEMED council would at least master the articulation of its name. Their enthusiasm for the ban was evident; their grasp on the subject of kratom, disturbingly poor.

In the Zachary theater of formalities, it became a source of amusement to hear the unseasoned Council members declare, ‘I make a motion…’ Pro tip: one doesn’t ‘make’ a motion; one ‘moves to adopt’ or ‘moves to adjourn’. It’s reminiscent of that small town charm and trickery we witnessed during the East Feliciana Parish Ban on 07-17-2023. Quite the village playhouse, wouldn’t you say?

Apparently the motion carried and there will be a public hearing set at some point. Please attend if you live in Louisiana. Check back here for updates on when the hearing will be.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE WOULD LOVE FOR ADVOCATES AND CONCERNED PARTIES TO EMAIL AND CALL MS. DEVIRGILIO AND MR. HOPEWELL TO EXPRESS YOUR VIEWS, CONCERNS, QUESTIONS, AND YOUR KRATOM STORIES. PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE TO CONTACT THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO SEEM TO BE HELL BENT ON BANNING KRATOM, OUR BOTANICAL FRIEND, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IN FACT, WHAT A GREAT QUESTION TO ASK IN YOUR PHONE CALL, VOICE MAIL, OR EMAIL: “WHO ASKED YOU TO BRING THIS KRATOM BAN ORDINANCE?”

For anyone who lives in Zachary who can attend the public ban hearing, please get in touch through private message.

Ambre Dunavant Devirgilio, Mayor Pro Tempore Councilwoman

Phone: 225-218-3931

Email: Ambre.devirgilio@cityofzachary.org

and

John C. Hopewell, III, City Attorney

Phone: (225) 654-0287

Email: John.hopewell@cityofzachary.org