The Mt. Carmel City Council has taken the first step toward banning the sale of a synthetic kratom product within the city.
During Monday’s meeting, City Clerk Ryan Turner presented the first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of 7-OH, also known as 7-hydroxymitragynine, a synthetic form of kratom.
Turner said the proposed ordinance applies only to the synthetic product and not natural kratom leaf, which remains the subject of ongoing legal and legislative debate over its potential medicinal uses.
Mayor Joe Judge said city officials contacted local retailers that had been selling the product, and all have voluntarily removed it from their shelves. Businesses have also taken down advertisements promoting the synthetic substance.
Although a federal ban on synthetic 7-OH products is expected to take effect this month, Turner said the city wants a local ordinance in place in case future court rulings affect federal enforcement.
The ordinance received its first reading Monday and is expected to return to the council for final approval at a future meeting