Important bill passed in Delaware today regarding youth access to kratom and kratom products.
Important bill passed in Delaware today regarding youth access to kratom and kratom products.
Shatterproof released the following statement on the Delaware General Assembly passing House Substitute 1 for House Bill 332 today. The bill prohibits the selling, providing, or marketing of kratom or a kratom product to any individual under the age of 21.
The bill also requires the Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement and the Department of Health and Social Services to provide a report to the Governor and General Assembly by January 1, 2027, on kratom testing capabilities and potential licensing requirements for retailers selling kratom products.
“The passage of this bill is an important step toward protecting young people from products that can carry harmful risks,” said Pam Jenkins, CEO of Shatterproof. “We are so grateful to Representative Melanie Ross Levin, Senator Marie Pinkney, and the additional advocates and lawmakers who helped move this legislation forward. There is more work to be done to ensure kratom policy is guided by public health, science, and safety, but this bill is a step in the right direction.”
State of the issue:
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Kratom and kratom products are increasingly available in retail and online settings, often with limited oversight.
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Some kratom alkaloids act on opioid receptors, and kratom products may carry a risk of dependence or misuse, particularly when products vary in strength, purity, labeling, and formulation.
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House Substitute 1 for House Bill 332 will help ensure that kratom and kratom products are not sold, provided, or marketed to individuals under 21 in Delaware.
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The bill also creates a path for Delaware to evaluate testing capabilities and potential retailer licensing requirements.
About Shatterproof:
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the devastation addiction causes families. Shatterproof is focused on ending the stigma of addiction and ensuring treatment in America is based upon proven research. The organization advocates for changes to federal and state policy, payer reform, provider ratings, and provides public education through family and workplace programs.
