ZINGER KEY POINTS
- Kratom, delta-8, and delta-10 could be similar to opioids in terms of addictive properties, legistlators say.
- “Frankly, our kids are using it at record rates,” GOP state senator Vince Deed said.
The Senate Judiciary Committee in West Virginia recently approved legislation that would place kratom, delta-8, and delta-10 products as Schedule 1 drugs.
Kratom, a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia, is currently not illegal and can produce effects similar to opioids. Delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC are chemical components of the cannabis plant, and although they occur naturally in very small concentrations, they can produce mild psychoactive effects in some people similar to delta-9 THC.
The bill will be assessed in the full Senate next week, and if turns into law it would remove these types of products from sales across the Mountain State, reported WVVA.
According to former U.S. Attorney and state senator Mike Stuart, approving this bill and eliminating these products is necessary because they often end up in children’s hands. He claims that kratom, delta-8, and delta-10 could be similar to opioids in terms of addictive properties.
“If someone is operating a big piece of equipment and a high-wall collapses, the drug test will show there was nothing in their system and that’s just not true,” Stuart said. “And Delta 8 and Delta 10 are unneeded because we have medical marijuana, where if you follow the regulations, get the medical marijuana card, and go through the channels, it’s a lot safer.”
Another GOP state senator, Vince Deed, agreed. “Frankly, our kids are using it at record rates,” Deed said. “If you look at suspensions over the past 30 days, Lincoln County — 26 suspensions. Barbour County — 29 suspensions. These drugs of addiction only lead to misery. There will no doubt be individuals who claim the benefits of these drugs.”
~ 2/21/23
