A substance widely available for purchase across Iowa could be banned under a bill that passed the Iowa House Tuesday.House File 2133 would make it an aggravated misdemeanor for first-time kratom possession, and a class D felony for any subsequent possessions.Carol Horton, Owner of Unkl Ruckus Smoke Shop, says she first started selling it about a decade ago, after veterans from the VA approached her looking for a non-opiate solution to chronic pain”They were tired of being on opioids. They said, I’m tired of sitting in my chair and drooling all day and sleeping,” Horton told KCCI. “I have so much life left, and I want to be able to function and do things.”She’s far from the only seller. Dozens of gas stations sell the substance in pill or powder form, which originates from Southeast Asian tropical evergreen tree leaves. In small doses, kratom acts as a stimulant, often used for energy or its mood-lifting effects. In larger doses, it acts as a sedative or pain reliever. But as its accessibility increases, UCS Healthcare Medical Director Dr. Frank Filippelli says the risk of abuse has, too. “I saw my first case probably about ten years ago,” he said. “I am seeing it probably once or twice a week now.”Filippelli specializes in treating opioid use disorder. Technically, kratom is not an opioid. But it binds to the same receptors in the brain, especially synthetic and concentrated products like 7-OH Kratom, which is currently legal to buy and use in Iowa. “Basically, they find themselves in a situation where they can’t stop. Because just like opioids, it has withdrawal symptoms. And withdrawal symptoms are what drives people to continue to come back and continue to use.” Filippelli said.This risk for addiction is why some lawmakers are pushing to essentially ban the substance in all forms.”Classifying kratom as a scheduled drug is not just a precaution. It’s a necessary action to safeguard the health and safety of all Iowans,” Rep. Mike Vondran (R) of House District 94 said in Tuesday’s debate. “The severe health risks, the out-of-control availability, and the rising public safety concerns demand our immediate attention.”But opponents say by classing it as a schedule one substance, it removes any possibility of study or regulation, creating a greater risk. They say the better option is regulating what types of kratom are available.”It forces purity in the products. It forces testing in the products. It forces people who have grown to depend on it to understand that they can count on it being a pure product, and not something tainted with something that’s going to kill them.” Rep. Dan Gosa, (D), of Scott County said. The bill heads to the Iowa Senate for its consideration before heading to the governor’s desk.If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available. You can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline by calling 1-800-622-HELP (4357). You can also text your ZIP code to 435748. For help finding resources for mental or substance use disorders near you, click here.To reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call or text 988. You can also opt for an online chat here.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

A substance widely available for purchase across Iowa could be banned under a bill that passed the Iowa House Tuesday.

House File 2133 would make it an aggravated misdemeanor for first-time kratom possession, and a class D felony for any subsequent possessions.

Carol Horton, Owner of Unkl Ruckus Smoke Shop, says she first started selling it about a decade ago, after veterans from the VA approached her looking for a non-opiate solution to chronic pain

“They were tired of being on opioids. They said, I’m tired of sitting in my chair and drooling all day and sleeping,” Horton told KCCI. “I have so much life left, and I want to be able to function and do things.”

She’s far from the only seller. Dozens of gas stations sell the substance in pill or powder form, which originates from Southeast Asian tropical evergreen tree leaves.

In small doses, kratom acts as a stimulant, often used for energy or its mood-lifting effects. In larger doses, it acts as a sedative or pain reliever.

But as its accessibility increases, UCS Healthcare Medical Director Dr. Frank Filippelli says the risk of abuse has, too.

“I saw my first case probably about ten years ago,” he said. “I am seeing it probably once or twice a week now.”

Filippelli specializes in treating opioid use disorder.

Technically, kratom is not an opioid. But it binds to the same receptors in the brain, especially synthetic and concentrated products like 7-OH Kratom, which is currently legal to buy and use in Iowa.

“Basically, they find themselves in a situation where they can’t stop. Because just like opioids, it has withdrawal symptoms. And withdrawal symptoms are what drives people to continue to come back and continue to use.” Filippelli said.

This risk for addiction is why some lawmakers are pushing to essentially ban the substance in all forms.

“Classifying kratom as a scheduled drug is not just a precaution. It’s a necessary action to safeguard the health and safety of all Iowans,” Rep. Mike Vondran (R) of House District 94 said in Tuesday’s debate. “The severe health risks, the out-of-control availability, and the rising public safety concerns demand our immediate attention.”

But opponents say by classing it as a schedule one substance, it removes any possibility of study or regulation, creating a greater risk.

They say the better option is regulating what types of kratom are available.

“It forces purity in the products. It forces testing in the products. It forces people who have grown to depend on it to understand that they can count on it being a pure product, and not something tainted with something that’s going to kill them.” Rep. Dan Gosa, (D), of Scott County said.

The bill heads to the Iowa Senate for its consideration before heading to the governor’s desk.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.

You can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline by calling 1-800-622-HELP (4357). You can also text your ZIP code to 435748.

For help finding resources for mental or substance use disorders near you, click here.

To reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call or text 988. You can also opt for an online chat here.