By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Under mounting public pressure, the DEA has delayed the ban on Kratom, a Southeast Asian tree leaf that is said to be helpful for pain relief and heroin abuse.
The DEA had planned to name the herb as an illegal Schedule 1 substance, which would have placed it in the same category as heroin.
Despite the delay, Kratom sellers and users and some lawmakers are worried the ban will still happen, KTVU reports.
Owner of Twisted Thistle Apothicaire in Berkeley said Kratom is very popular and effective.
“We didn’t get into this business for Kratom. Kratom found us,” said owner Ethan Franc.
The DEA claims Kratom is addictive and has hallucinogenic properties and therefore should be banned.
