The Drug Enforcement Administration has temporarily reversed its decision to ban a plant called “kratom” that is used by some as an alternative to opioids.
The DEA said it would not ban the active ingredients in kratom, but said it could still decide at a later date to ban the plant.
In August, the DEA proposed putting kratom’s active ingredients in Schedule I, which is the same category as banned substances heroin and cocaine. It said it would temporarily take this step while it receives comments due to the “imminent hazard to public safety.”
The agency backtracked after receiving public comments about the effects of the drug, but didn’t specify the exact number of public comments it received.
Several advocates say the drug can be a healthier alternative to opioid painkillers, which are very addictive and contributing to a major abuse epidemic in the U.S.
The DEA said that it would consider the comments, and data from the Food and Drug Administration, and come to a final decision on how to schedule kratom. The comment period remains open until Dec. 1.
