DEA May Outlaw Kratom, A Legal Opiate Sold In Chicago

The federal government is moving to crack down on kratom, which some people use for chronic pain and to lessen cravings for opioids and alcohol.
The federal government is moving to crack down on kratom, which some people use for chronic pain and to lessen cravings for opioids and alcohol. Joe Raedle/Getty Images via NPR
The federal government is moving to crack down on kratom, which some people use for chronic pain and to lessen cravings for opioids and alcohol.
The federal government is moving to crack down on kratom, which some people use for chronic pain and to lessen cravings for opioids and alcohol. Joe Raedle/Getty Images via NPR

DEA May Outlaw Kratom, A Legal Opiate Sold In Chicago

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Have you heard of kratom? The natural drug is the latest substance to gain the attention of the federal drug enforcement agency. They wanted to place kratom on the schedule 1 list of banned drugs alongside heroin, LSD, and cannabis but an outpouring of support for the painkiller temporarily halted their plans. 

Now, a debate on whether kratom is helpful or addictive will help the DEA decide whether or not to regulate the natural drug. With the substance sold right here in Chicago, we wanted to take a closer look at the pros and cons of kratom.