Wilmington bans sales of kratom and some psychoactive drugs

Wilmington is drawing a hard line against the sale and distribution of kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and other intoxicating substances, adopting a sweeping new ordinance that makes selling or distributing the products within city limits illegal.Paula Ekstrom, program director for the Wilmington Coalition for a Healthy Community, urged the City Council to adopt the measure at its Nov. 4 meeting.“I want to remind you that even though kratom is billed as natural, it is not always natural,” Ekstrom said. “... a lot of it is actually synthesized and still attacks opioid receptors in the brain that impact dopamine production.”The Wilmington City Council voted to place new restrictions on substances that city officials say pose a growing threat to public health and safety.Alderman Marty Orr voted against the ordinance.“It’s something that I think that people need to make their own decisions,” Orr said. “Some of it is very beneficial for people.”Orr questioned whether kratom should be denied t