State lawmakers have taken the lead on regulating kratom. The controversial herbal supplement is often used for pain relief, anxiety and opioid withdrawal symptoms. 

Last summer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pushed to ban 7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH, saying it posed serious health risks and should be classified as a controlled substance with heroin and LSD. 

In Louisiana, legislators initiated a statewide ban on kratom because of that ingredient. 

In Episode 9, we’ll hear from our States Newsroom colleagues at the Louisiana Illuminator. For their podcast called The Light Switch, they took a deep dive into kratom as Louisiana lawmakers debated the ban in 2025.

Louisiana Illuminator editor Greg LaRose will help us understand both sides of the kratom discussion. This was done in partnership with WWNO, New Orleans Public Radio station.

Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer. A special thank you to Greg LaRose from the Louisiana Illuminator and WWNO, New Orleans Public Radio. 

Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at [email protected].

Click here for the full transcript: 

Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners: 

Photo: An advertisement for kratom at a shop in Phoenix, Arizona. (Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/Arizona Mirror)