Kratom now banned in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Kratom is a drug that could previously be bought in convenience stores throughout the Friendly City.

However, during Tuesday’s Columbus City Council meeting, the board voted to order store owners to pull the substance from all store shelves.

City leaders unanimously passed an ordinance banning the sale, use and distribution of Kratom in city limits.

The drug isn’t illegal, however, some say the drug is highly addictive.

Until now, Kratom could be bought at stores in pill, capsule or extract form.

The ban goes into effect immediately.

“Even though it’s immediately, it will not go into effect until the chief of police brings a copy of the ordinance around and show them the ordinance that was approved tonight,” said Columbus Mayor Robert Smith. “Each business that sales this type of drug, Kratom, will be notified and they will be given something in writing to that effect.”

“This is so good for the citizens of Columbus,” said Glenn Lautzenhiser, who’s with the Crime and Addiction Task Force of the Lowndes County Community Foundation. “This is a dangerous drug, it’s deceptive, it’s addictive and it destroys lives and it destroys families.”

With the ban in place, if someone is caught using, selling or distributing Kratom, they could be fined $1,000 and also possibly face time behind bars.