Overview:
The Board of Health in Athol is considering regulating or banning the sale of kratom, a plant-based substance used for medicinal purposes. A recent hearing outlined the substance and its effects, with a drug recognition expert explaining that kratom can be purchased as a pure, plant-based product or as a synthetic product, which greatly boosts the amount of 7-OH, the active compound in kratom. While some use it for medicinal purposes, others use it for its euphoric feeling and to fall asleep, but in large doses, it can attach to the neuroreceptors in the brain, which is where opioids go.
ATHOL – For several months, the Board of Health has weighed the possibility of regulating or banning the sale of kratom in town, and a recent hearing outlined the substance and its effects.
Kratom (mitragyna speciosa) is an evergreen that grows in southeast Asia and is used for medicinal purposes, according to the website of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. It was introduced into the U.S. in the 1970s and is available in many convenience stores and other retailers throughout the state. Athol at this time has no policy governing the sale of kratom.
In an effort to gather more information on kratom, the Board of Health held a meeting at Town Hall on Tuesday, May 26, facilitated by Peter Buck, a drug recognition expert who serves as chief of the Petersham Police Department. He stressed that he was not speaking as a representative of the department, nor as an advocate for or against the sale of kratom.
Buck explained that kratom can be purchased as both a pure, plant-based product – usually as a powder or in capsules – or as a synthetic product, which greatly boosts the amount of 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine), the active compound in kratom.
“Kratom has been around for a long time,” said Buck. “It has actually been used for hundreds of years. If you chew on it, it’ll give you a slightly stimulating effect. If you also take it for medicinal purposes, like aches and pains, you can get some relief from it.
He said that for synthetic products, people should look at the milligram level, as they can alter and strengthen the effects of 7-OH.
“One of the reasons these are sought after is because they’re not regulated and because they are reported to give you a euphoric feeling and you feel high, and some of the benefits are they help you to fall asleep,” he said. “What’s frightening, is that in large doses (kratom), it will attach to the neuroreceptors in the brain, which is where opioids go.”
Noting that one to five milligrams of kratom can provide a stimulating effect and five to ten can provide an opioid effect, Buck displayed products that offer anywhere from 30 to 150 milligrams.
“So if you use a very small dose of the naturally occurring kratom, you’re not going to get an opioid-like high,” he added. “If you use the synthetics, which is most often used and marketed, you are going to have a much stronger reaction.”
As the BOH considers how to regulate these products, Buck suggested it ask what is the substance being sold, who has access to it, is it regulated and whether it is in its pure state.
George Patel, owner of Country Convenience in Athol, said while his business does sell kratom products, customers much show an ID proving they are over 21 years of age. In addition, all such products are kept behind the counter.
“There may be some places where anyone can just walk in and buy these things, but we won’t do business that way,” Patel said. “We don’t want this stuff going to kids.”
Julien Brooks of Athol, who attended the informational meeting, said he has used kratom for about eight years.
“I use it almost like a cup of coffee,” he said. “It gives me just a little boost when I need it. I think it’s been beneficial for me.”
At the same time, Brooks agreed there should be regulation of kratom, including age restrictions.
“I would think 18 would be appropriate,” he said.