KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne reports on stories in Overland Park, Johnson County and topics about government accountability. Share your story idea with Isabella.
KSHB 41 reporter Elyse Schoenig contributed to this report. Share your story idea with Elyse.
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A total ban on synthetic 7-OH is moving forward in Kansas City, Missouri. City leaders and medical experts have referred to the substance as "gas station heroin," and it has remained completely legal and unregulated.
Kansas City's Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee held a public hearing Tuesday morning on a revised ordinance to ban synthetic 7-OH and regulate natural kratom.
The original ordinance, first proposed two months ago, sought to ban all gas station drugs, including 7-OH, kratom and cannabinoids.
The substitute ordinance outlines a total ban on synthetic 7-OH, synthetic alkaloids and other products containing substances in higher amounts that are not found in natural leaf kratom.
Unadulterated kratom would be regulated as a 21-and-up product, but it would still be allowed to be sold and distributed within city limits.
It also explores fines and revoking licenses for businesses that don't follow the ordinance.
Dozens of community members, kratom users and those who have been impacted by 7-OH spoke out at Tuesday morning's committee meeting.
Many urged the committee to not implement an outright ban, while others urged city leaders to include a total ban of both 7-OH and kratom.
"You have an entire population of well-intended people that are becoming addicted to a plant that is entirely legal and without regulation," said one speaker, who is in favor of the ordinance.
Another speaker, who is against the ordinance, suggested banning gas stations and convenience stores from selling the products.
"We don't think a blanket ban is appropriate; we think it goes way too far because there are many consumers who will be hurt by this," another speaker said.
KSHB 41 asked Mayor Quinton Lucas about the effectiveness of the revised enforcement.
"I think that, frankly, banning those synthetics is still good, [but] this natural kratom versus not? Look, I would've preferred to see it all banned today," Lucas said. "I expect it to pass. I hope our streets will be a little healthier and safer when it does."
The ordinance recommendation comes after KSHB 41's ongoing series Strong High Weak Laws explored the impacts of 7-OH usage in the Kansas City metro. It will now go before the full council on Thursday, where city leaders are expected to take it up for a vote.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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