Emergency request for PA Health Dept. to ban kratom statewide: DA Krasner and State reps

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The Issue

Our community is facing a new opioid crisis, one that is hidden in plain sight and often overlooked. As a concerned parent, I am deeply alarmed by the rapid rise in addiction rates among our youth, particularly those aged 12-17. Our children are being exposed to kratom, a substance that is increasingly available in smoke shops, gas stations, and convenience stores across Pennsylvania. Despite its legal status, kratom is a dangerous and psychoactive substance that can have severe effects on the brain, similar to opioids. MANY STATES HAVE BANNED OR BEGUN TO REGULATE: CA, VT, IA, TN, WI, DC, ND, AL,  CT, IN, LA, AR !!!

Kratom contains psychoactive compounds, including 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which act on opioid receptors in the brain. This makes it as potentially dangerous as other opioids. Alarmingly, emergency rooms and rehabilitation centers have reported a surge in kratom-related cases of addiction and overdose, affecting the very fabric of our communities. While the city of Philadelphia is taking steps to ban kratom as of November, we urgently need a statewide ban to protect our young people.

The sad reality is that kratom companies have lobbied heavily, ensuring its legality, but at what cost? Our children should not have access to such substances that pose a risk to their health and well-being. This is why it is crucial for the Pennsylvania Health Department to enact an emergency ban on kratom and its synthetic derivatives. A total ban will help in curbing the availability of this dangerous substance and prevent further harm to our youth.

This petition isn't just about banning a substance; it’s about reclaiming the safety and future of our children. We must act now to protect them from the hidden dangers that kratom poses. We need your support to push for this legislative change that can save lives. Sign this petition to urge district attorneys and state reps to demand that the Pennsylvania Health Department to take immediate action and safeguard our communities from this growing epidemic.. Bucks and Chester Counties did.

The Decision Makers

Josh Shapiro
Pennsylvania Governor

Supporter Voices

Petition Updates