Detroit City Council voted Tuesday to send a resolution supporting a statewide ban on kratom back to its Public Health and Safety Standing Committee. The decision followed a series of emotional public comments urging the council to vote against endorsing Michigan House Bill 5537, which proposes a “blanket ban” on kratom. Council members indicated they need more information regarding both natural and synthetic forms of the substance, as well as Michigan Senate Bill 1181, which seeks to regulate kratom instead of banning it. The committee is scheduled to reconvene in two weeks, after observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Public commenters were nearly unanimous in their support for natural leaf kratom, distinguishing it from harmful synthetic variants such as 7 OH. Many advocates expressed support for regulating kratom through measures like age limits and testing. They also highlighted Senate Bill 1181, introduced late last month by State Senator John Cherry, which aims to regulate the distribution, sale, and manufacturing of kratom products statewide.
One Metro Detroit resident, Daniel Kelly, shared his personal story, stating that after a spinal injury in 2018, he experienced "never-ending pain" and found no relief from acupuncture, physical therapy, nerve blocks, or pain clinics. Kelly credited natural leaf kratom with providing the relief that allowed him to walk and pick up his daughter for the first time in three years. He stated, "That plant gave me my family back," noting it offered the relief that saved his life six years ago. Another unidentified caller during the public comment period questioned the fear of imprisonment for individuals seeking pain control to "live, work, and sleep and raise your children."
Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway, who authored the original resolution seeking to support the ban, acknowledged that she was becoming "more informed and educated" after listening to public comments and reviewing recent information. She noted the substance is part of a "multi-billion dollar business" and raised concerns about suicides, questioning whether natural kratom played a role. Whitfield-Calloway later expressed openness to learning more about regulating kratom as an alternative to a blanket ban, especially after reviewing Senate Bill 1181. However, she also voiced frustration that more commenters engaged with the kratom issue than other pressing matters, including youth issues and gun violence, stating that people often do not call about when "our kids are getting killed, when they’re dying."
Council President Pro-tem Coleman A. Young II raised questions about the connection between marijuana tax levies and a potential increase in kratom use. He motioned for the council’s Legislative Policy Division (LPD) to draft an analysis comparing these numbers, a task the department director, David Whitaker, said LPD would "be happy" to undertake. Young also pondered how a ban would be enforced, distinguishing between addressing addiction as a healthcare issue or through a "reflex move" to incarcerate individuals. He noted that many people use alternatives like kratom because they cannot afford medication due to the high cost of living, stating there are "a lot of people who are hurting."
District 5 Council Member Renata Miller reported receiving an "overwhelming" number of emails on the topic. She voiced support for regulation and urged "a pause" on the resolution. Miller also shared her own frustration with the stigma associated with navigating post-injury pain relief. She highlighted the plight of many residents, noting that many lack health insurance and cannot get prescriptions, leading her to ask how they are expected to maintain their health. Miller clarified that Detroit’s City Council is the lowest level of government for legislating kratom in Michigan and encouraged concerned Detroiters and Michiganders to contact their state representatives in Lansing.
Many pro-kratom commenters described similar experiences: grappling with chronic conditions or addiction to other substances within a complex system marked by a "broken healthcare system," an opioid crisis, insurance insecurity, and social stigma. These individuals often faced weeks, months, or even years of severe pain, depression, suicidal thoughts, and, in some cases, active suicide attempts. They presented natural leaf kratom as a relatively safe and affordable way to regain control of their lives without relying on an often unreliable and expensive healthcare system.
Kratom is an herbal substance derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, found in Southeast Asia. It can be consumed by chewing the leaves, drinking a diluted brew, or through various manufactured products like pills. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that kratom's effects vary depending on the individual and the dose. Smaller amounts are said to produce stimulant-like effects, often used as an energy booster, while larger doses can create opioid-like effects, frequently utilized for relaxation, pain relief, and support during drug withdrawals.
Michigan House Bill 5537, the Republican-backed bill that Council Member Whitfield-Calloway’s initial resolution sought to support, would prohibit the "production, sale and distribution" of kratom and its variants across Michigan. This bill is part of a broader trend of legislation, both banning and regulating kratom, emerging in state governments nationwide as the substance gains popularity. While state and federal health bodies, including the Food and Drug Administration, have issued warnings and generally advise against kratom use where it is not banned, there is currently no overarching federal kratom law approved by Congress. Critics of kratom, including at least one commenter at Tuesday’s meeting, point to potential dangers such as addiction, adverse health effects, and even death. However, it is important to note that many reported deaths linked to kratom have been associated with synthetic products, such as 7-OH, whose cases have been "surging" since 2010 and are a source of increasing national concern.
