The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has halted its plan to classify kratom, a potential opioid alternative, as a schedule 1 substance. The new classification would have put the medicinal plant in the same category as LSD, marijuana, and ecstasy.
Advocates claim the herb offers relief from pain, depression, and anxiety. Some studies suggest it may hold the key to treating chronic pain and could be used to combat addiction to opioid medications.
Despite this evidence, the DEA moved to ban sales of kratom by the end of September, calling it an "imminent hazard to public safety."
After a public outcry and pressure from congressional lawmakers, the DEA withdrew its intent to ban kratom and established a public comment period through December 1, 2016.
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Cite this: Should Kratom Be Banned? - Medscape - Oct 27, 2016.
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