Orland Park Village Board Bans Kratom, Tianeptine, Delta 8 THC and other Novel Synthetic and Psychoactive Drugs
Citing concerns about herbal substances that can produce opioid-and-stimulant-like effects, the Orland Park Village Board voted to unanimously ban kratom, tianeptine, and other novel synthetic and psychoactive drugs. This ban is in addition to a ban on synthetic cannabis that the Board approved in June, 2023.
As a result of multiple loopholes, markets have begun to emerge utilizing synthetic compounds that mimic the intoxicating effects of opioids, cannabis, and other psychoactive drugs.
Drug makers have long developed new compounds to overcome regulations in order to profit from illicit and intoxicating substances. In response, the approved Orland Park legislation seeks to stay ahead of illicit operators by banning businesses from manufacturing, selling or distributing kratom, tianeptine, Delta 8 and other novel synthetic and psychoactive drugs.
“Kratom is untested and not authorized for consumption by the FDA, and yet it’s readily available,” stated Mayor Keith Pekau. “If kratom and other synthetics have medicinal benefits, they should go through the FDA and sold through pharmacies like other regulated drugs and not sold in gas stations.”
Kratom has not been FDA-approved as a drug, dietary supplement, or food ingredient. Despite these federal restrictions and concerns about production quality, the U.S. kratom industry still imports this product even if labeled not for human consumption, then repackages the substance, and sells via online or other retail outlets purposely for people to ingest.
Kratom has been banned in 32 countries as well as six US States, including neighboring states Indiana and Wisconsin. In Illinois, the only current limitations against kratom are the banning of sale/possession to minors under 18.
“A Tampa Bay Times investigation recently found that hundreds of people in Florida alone have died using kratom,” said Orland Park Police Chief Eric Rossi. “We take great pride in the safety of our residents and want to ensure that kratom, tianeptine (sometimes referred to as ‘gas station heroin’) and other harmful and unregulated synthetic drugs have no place in Orland Park.”
Orland Fire Protection District Chief Michael Schofield applauded the Village Board for acting on this matter. “Some people find it hard to do the right thing, being the first, or leading the fight to do the right thing.” said Orland Park Fire Chief Michael Schofield. “This ordinance is the right thing to do to protect our community and our youth from the harms of synthetic drugs.”
Ordinance 5883, an ordinance creating a new Chapter 25 prohibition of Kratom, Novel Synthetic and Psychoactive Drug business establishments of Title 7 business and license of the Orland Park Village Code, was passed unanimously by the Village Board at the April 15, 2024, Village Board meeting. The ordinance goes into effect immediately.
For more information about the ordinances or any Orland Park Village Code, please visit www.orlandpark.org or call Development Services at 708/403-5300.
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