Monroe County sheriff to ask for banning of Kratom

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Monroe County sheriff said he will ask supervisors to pass an ordinance banning the sale of an over the counter product known as Kratom.

Sheriff Cecil Cantrell said the herbal supplement, which is often used to ease opioid withdrawals, can be purchased in Monroe County by anyone, regardless of age.

Sheriff Cantrell said he has researched the supplement and believes there are simply too many risks and potential problems with the herbal drug.

“It’s just a mind altering drug, and we are trying to get it out of our county, to make our county safe, for good people and citizens of Monroe County,” said Sheriff Cantrell.

The sheriff said he will ask the Board of Supervisors to ban the sale of Kratom within the county.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, poisonings reported from taking Kratom have skyrocketed in recent years.