While many Florida voters debate the wisdom of legalizing medical marijuana, a different substance is causing concern in Palm Beach County.
County officials are considering a ban on kratom, an herb that鈥檚 becoming a staple at some trendy cafes.
Kratom is grown in Southeast Asia. The herb is available in packets sold at some gas stations and also at some cafes that serve kava, a beverage growing in popularity for its calming effects.
In 2012, Palm Beach County meant to mimic illegal drugs.
Federal drug officials say that . But at higher doses the substance has the exact opposite effect and acts like a sedative.
Palm Beach County Mayor Priscilla Taylor directed her staff to take a closer look at the herb after she heard from a mother who believes kratom use led to the recent suicide of her 20-year-old son.
鈥淥bviously, you don鈥檛 want to ban or place restrictions on anything if it鈥檚 not causing problems," says Taylor. "But if it is, I think it鈥檚 the responsibility of the county to take a look at it. And [kratom] is on the watch-list for the FDA."
Taylor says she鈥檚 also heard from kratom users who claim that the herb is no more addictive than a strong cup of coffee.
So far, Sarasota County is the only county in Florida to ban kratom.
