PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 The state\u2019s chief legal officer is warning Arizonans about what she calls \u201cdangerous products\u201d being sold in stores.<\/p>\n
Attorney General Kris Mayes says the items are being marketed as kratom or \u201call-natural\u201d supplements but actually contain highly concentrated synthetic substances. The products are sold in various gas stations, smoke shops and convenience stores.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese products are really dangerous and basically act like synthetic opioids, and I have already heard from parents whose kids have become addicted to these products sold over the counter across the state,\u201d Attorney General Mayes said. \u201cThe Legislature passed the Arizona Kratom Consumer Protection Act to keep dangerous products off the shelves and out of kids\u2019 hands. Companies that ignore this law and push these drugs into Arizona communities are harming public health and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under Arizona\u2019s Kratom Consumer Protection Act, retailers cannot do any of the following: <\/p>\n
Mayes said her office is looking into reported cases of stores selling these products to minors. She added that the state\u2019s kratom law is difficult to enforce and needs to be more strict.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn its current form, Arizona\u2019s kratom law asks prosecutors to clear a high-bar just to prove a misdemeanor,\u201d said Attorney General Mayes. \u201cMost law enforcement agencies simply don\u2019t have the labs, experts, or budget to do that on a routine basis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayes said she plans to work with legislators to improve the law and increase penalties for offenders when the next session gets underway in January. She gave some advice to consumers in the meantime:<\/p>\n
Anyone who experiences an adverse reaction when using kratom or 7-OH products should seek medical attention right away. Poison control can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.<\/p>\n
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