SB534

Senate Bill 534 establishes the Arkansas Kratom Consumer Protection Act to regulate the sale and distribution of kratom products in the state. The bill removes mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine from the Arkansas controlled substances list, effectively legalizing kratom under a new regulatory framework. It mandates labeling requirements, sets an age restriction prohibiting the sale of kratom to individuals under 18, and forbids the sale of products adulterated with dangerous substances or synthetic alkaloids. Processors are required to register their products annually with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, provide third-party certificates of analysis, and report adverse events. The bill outlines enforcement procedures, including administrative fines for violations, while providing a good-faith defense for retailers who rely on processor representations. The legislation is driven by the goal of implementing safety standards for a product that some view as a potential harm-reduction tool.