Kratom

A last ditch effort is underway to stop the DEA from acting precipitously to ban an herb used to help wean people from opioids.

Donations are starting to flow for and against reform initiatives, California's largest newspaper endorses pot legalization, so do Italian cops, a new study suggest medical marijuana may reduce opioid-related auto fatalities, it's time to act to keep kratom off Schedule I, and more.

Kratom is a fairly innocuous organic substance that is useful in treating a number of conditions, but that doesn't mean people in power don't want to reflexively ban it. The fight is on in Pinellas County, Florida.

The polling is looking good in Massachusetts and better in California, there will be no initiative for Michigan this year, kratom proponents fight a proposed DEA ban, Canada gives the go-ahead for expanded heroin prescribing, and more.

Big city Texas prosecutors are increasingly dropping small-time pot cases, a Denver social use marijuana initiative qualifies for the ballot, kratom proponents move to block the DEA effort to place it on Schedule I, and more, including lots of international items.

Kratom is used by chronic pain sufferers and people wishing to get off or stay off opioids, but not for much longer.

The DEA announces it will make the active ingredients in kratom Schedule I substances, marijuana legalization initiatives in Arizona and Michigan go to court, the Thai government is moving to reform the way it deals with meth, and more.

The stuff eases pain and opiate withdrawals and is almost impossible to overdose on. Banning it seems like a step in the wrong direction.