Strong Opposition Expected Against 'Kratom' Ban In Point Beach

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Expect strong opposition against the Point Pleasant Beach Council's plan to ban a substance that it says is a potential threat to public health and has the potential for abuse.

The American Kratom Association is asking for help to stop a proposed kratom ban in Point Pleasant Beach. The organization is asking people to show up on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m when the Borough Council will be voting to approve ordinance.

"We need your help with two actions," the emails says. "Please take a few minutes and send an email to the entire Borough Council. Even if you already sent an email a couple of weeks ago, please do so again."

"Also, if you can, please attend the meeting Tuesday night and show your support for kratom. Having supporters there in person will go a long way in showing these folks that banning kratom will impact a lot of people.

"At the last meeting, we had a great crowd of kratom supporters and we are hoping to duplicate that outpouring of support."

The council says it is looking to prohibit the sale of kratom, which is used as a recreational drug and as medicine.

The council introduced the ordinance at a September meeting and then will vote to approve on Oct. 1.

The ordinance comes just as police have been cracking on the sale of vaping products at a smoke shop in Point Pleasant Beach, police said. This was the second time in a matter of months that the store was allegedly caught. Read more: Point Pleasant Beach Smoke Shop Sold To Underaged Users: Police

Kratom is banned by some states in the U.S. because of safety concerns, according to WebMD. People use kratom for withdrawal from heroin, morphine and other opioid drugs, as well as cough, depression, anxiety and many other conditions.

Kratom use has been linked to serious side effects including hallucinations, seizures, liver damage, withdrawal and death, according to WebMD.

Assemblyman Ronald Dancer also has proposed legislation, A2865, that would criminalize the manufacture, possession and sale of products containing kratom. Kratom is marketed for its psychoactive and opioid-like analgesic effects, the council says.

"The mayor and council are concerned by the health problems posed by the use of kratom, the potential for abuse of kratom, the use of kratom by minors, and the potential severity of classification of kratom by the DEA," the council says.