Why the Naperville council is taking its time on kratom ban decision

Naperville City Council members want more time and information before passing a ban on the sale of kratom products in the city.

Ordinances already restrict the sale of kratom to anyone under the age of 21 and prohibit its possession by anyone under the age of 18. But last month, the Naperville Liquor Commission recommended stronger local laws against the sale of kratom products. Health experts have raised concerns about new synthetic variations of the drug, which are producing a stronger, more opioid-like effect.

But on Tuesday, a more complex picture of kratom products emerged.

Some individuals and health experts shared their negative experiences with kratom products and the difficulty with regulating it.

“I found (a kratom-based drink) on a health and wellness podcast thinking it was something that was actually going to give me health benefits … I ended up two years later, April 15, 2025, in a detox unit at Edward (Hospital),” Naperville resident Ashley Ware said.

However, advocates opposed to the retail ban spoke about the benefits they’ve received from non-synthetic kratom products.

“I have been living with pain for many of my 93 years. Most recently, I had a fall, which resulted in a double fracture of my last wrist,” Ila Webster said. “I was able to take kratom, and my pain went from a nine or 10 to a tolerable four or five within 45 minutes.”

Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves, which contain two major psychoactive ingredients called mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), can be brewed in teas, smoked or consumed as gel capsules.

But the federal government has taken note of new synthetic variations of 7-OH. Last month, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced a temporary ban on products containing certain levels and synthetic variations of kratom.

In Illinois, some communities have voted to ban the sale of kratom products. State lawmakers have proposed stricter regulations.

The impact of kratom products has been felt locally.

“In the last four months, we had four overdoses, one fatal that the coroner did attribute to kratom usage,” Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres said. “We’ve had some theft cases where kratom is being stolen from these shops. But again, this is more of a health concern and community safety concern for what we’re seeing.”

Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis said his team has not seen a major increase in calls regarding kratom consumption or overdoses.

Councilman Benny White acknowledged the relief some speakers said they found from natural leaf kratom but said he still supported a complete retail ban.

“Quite frankly, our top responsibility as councilmen and women up here is public safety,” he said. “We talk about fire and police all the time but when it comes to public health … this falls right in line with that for me.”

For other council members, the distinction speakers drew between synthetic and non-synthetic kratom products merited more information before making a final decision.

“I think we’ve heard pretty consistently from the community that there’s a difference between synthetic kratom and natural leaf kratom and these highly concentrated products that are often marketed to adolescents,” Councilwoman Mary Gibson said.

Considering the benefits some people have found with natural leaf kratom and pain management, Gibson said she would like to see a second option that allows for the sale and regulation of natural leaf kratom products while banning synthetic products.

But how the city would regulate the difference between the two products could be a challenge.

“Our big problem with synthetic kratom is that once it’s tested, we’re seeing not a good capacity for what’s being marketed as what’s actually in the product,” said Ari Bernstein, a social worker with Mill Street Behavioral Health who has worked with people struggling with kratom addiction.

“Being able to distinguish what’s a pure leaf versus what’s (not pure leaf) in a tobacco shop seems very difficult to regulate, and that’s my concern,” he said.

Arres said he would need more information before knowing how to properly regulate kratom products.

The council will revisit the topic at a future meeting when staff can provide more information.

cstein@chicagotribune.com