The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) announced today that the organization will seek to reintroduce legislation to regulate kratom in California in the 2025 session. The GKC also announced that the proposed Kratom Safety for Californians Act would include important changes from the legislation introduced last year.
The GKC seeks to enact regulations through registration and enforcement structures to ensure that only safe, high-quality kratom products are sold in the state of California. These regulations will set forth manufacturing, testing, labeling, and product standards that are essential to creating a safe marketplace for kratom, where consumers are protected from potentially dangerous products. Furthermore, the proposal contains a registration fee to ensure the regulations aren’t a burden to the State’s budget.
The GKC also announced they have identified nearly 500 California kratom consumers who will be called to weigh in on a local level. The organization seeks to grow the number of California kratom advocates supporting legislation to more than 1,500 by the end of 2025.
“We believe it is important to bring Californians to the table to tell their stories about kratom,” said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the GKC. “By presenting legislators and California Governor Newsom with research-based evidence on both the potential benefits and risks of kratom through real-life stories, we can demonstrate that responsible kratom use has a place as a positive part of Californian’s wellness routines while creating common sense age restrictions, labeling and serving sizes.”
The organization will also launch a comprehensive campaign to advocate for responsible kratom regulation in California.
"Armed with real Californians telling their kratom stories, adjustments to the legislation, and addressing cost issues, we believe we have the momentum to make the Kratom Safety for Californians Act a reality," continued Lowe. "Our campaign aims to revive this critical conversation and push for comprehensive legislation that protects consumers and supports legitimate businesses."
The campaign will educate lawmakers, law enforcement officials, and the public about the urgent need for kratom regulation. Key components of the proposed regulatory framework include:
- Clear product standards and limitations
- Ensure processors are following Federal manufacturing standards
- Age restrictions to prevent youth access
- Clear enforcement mechanisms
- Registration requirements for kratom processors
- Registration fee for all kratom products, which will fund the registration program and the enforcement thereof
- Clear enforcement mechanisms
"The current unregulated kratom market poses significant risks to consumers and hampers the growth of responsible businesses," added Lowe. "By implementing sensible regulations, California can protect public health, support economic growth, and set a gold standard for kratom oversight nationwide."
The coalition's efforts will include stakeholder engagement, media outreach, public awareness initiatives, town halls, educational webinars, and other activities to foster dialogue and gather input from various communities across California.
The campaign draws parallels between the current kratom landscape and the early challenges faced by the hemp industry, emphasizing the need for proactive regulation to avoid similar pitfalls.
"We urge California lawmakers to revive and pass comprehensive kratom legislation in the next session," Lowe concluded. "The time to act is now to ensure that we learn from the mistake made with hemp by putting consumer protection first.
For more information about the campaign and the Global Kratom Coalition's efforts, please visit www.GlobalKratomCoalition.org. or contact info@globalgratomcoalition.org.
About the Global Kratom Coalition
The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting and expanding access to kratom worldwide. The coalition focuses on advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations that protect consumers.
The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting and expanding access to kratom worldwide. The coalition focuses on advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations that protect consumers.
