State Representative Erin Bingham is continuing her efforts to enact a statewide ban on Kratom in Idaho, following an unsuccessful attempt in the last legislative session. Bingham, who represents parts of eastern Idaho, confirmed her intention to reintroduce legislation, aiming to classify Kratom as a Schedule I drug.
Bingham stated that her previous bill stalled in committee. Since then, she has been actively working to educate the public and engage with various stakeholders on the issue. Locally, several jurisdictions have already taken action; the cities of Idaho Falls and Blackfoot, along with Bonneville County and Bingham County, have banned the sale of Kratom. However, Bingham noted that local ordinances can only ban sales, while a ban on possession requires state-level legislation.
One of the primary concerns raised during the last session revolved around the proposed penalties. Bingham explained that the original bill would have immediately applied Schedule I drug penalties, which some felt were “too steep and too quick.” In response, she has consulted with law enforcement, including Chief Schaeffson, to develop a “stepped penalty approach” for the revised legislation, aiming for a more nuanced enforcement framework.
Bingham also referenced Utah’s experience with Kratom, noting that the state initially passed the “American Kratom Protection Act” in 2019 but later moved towards a near-total ban this past year, prohibiting all forms except the natural leaf. She highlighted the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) scheduling of 7-OH, the synthetic form of Kratom. Bingham expressed difficulty differentiating between synthetic and highly concentrated natural Kratom products, stating, “we have seen an increase in death, addiction, all of those kind of things because we also have natural products which are adulterated… oftentimes their concentration is quite high.” She believes both forms contribute to addiction and harm.
Ultimately, Representative Bingham’s goal is to achieve a comprehensive statewide ban on Kratom in Idaho, addressing what she perceives as growing public health concerns related to its use and concentrated forms.
