Erin Hut, Communications Director, ehut@spokanecity.org
Monday, December 1, 2025 at 11:37 a.m.
Following input from local public health advocates and the Spokane Police Department, Mayor Lisa Brown has introduced an ordinance that seeks to prohibit the sale and distribution of kratom within City of Spokane limits.
Kratom is a psychoactive plant that contains alkaloids, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which have dose-dependent effects. At low levels, they act like stimulants, while at high levels, their effects are more like opioids and sedatives.
Reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and University of Washington Addictions, Drug & Alcohol warn of the impacts of using products containing 7-OH because of the high risk of substance-use disorder and overdose.
Furthermore, the Washington Poison Center has seen a “vertical spike” in kratom-related calls, including calls related to children.
“As the Coalition Coordinator of the West Spokane Wellness Partnership and a substance prevention professional, I—along with members of this policy workgroup—felt called to develop this kratom prohibition because we have seen firsthand how unregulated substances like kratom pose serious risks to youth and adults in our community,” said Sarah McNew. “We recognized the urgent need for action to protect our community and get upstream of this emerging issue before additional harm occurs, and this ordinance is a critical step in fulfilling that responsibility.”
“Kratom can be very dangerous and right now, it is extremely easy to buy at local convenience stores with almost no regulation,” said Spokane Police Officer and Drug Recognition Expert Mike Thomas. “Here in Spokane, we are seeing a significant increase in impaired drivers using kratom, along with those who are struggling with substance use disorder using kratom as an alternative to other substances. We are extremely concerned with the availability of this substance and understand this risk this poses to our community's youth.”
“I have taken seriously the input from both public health advocates and law enforcement, and they are seeing real harm in our community. This is commonsense legislation that will protect people and keep our community safe,” Mayor Brown said.
The ordinance, sponsored by Councilmembers Paul Dillon and Zack Zappone, will be introduced before the Public Safety and Community Health Committee on Monday, December 1.
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