Kratom; Virginia Sate Crime Commission to conduct an analysis of enforcement and regulation, report.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text mentions '7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)', a substance related to kratom, which was not included in the candidate explanation. However, it is unclear if this detail needs to be added for clarity at grade 6-8 reading level.

Kratom Study in Virginia

This bill directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to study how kratom is regulated and enforced across the United States and report their findings by December 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

• The Virginia State Crime Commission must analyze how kratom is controlled in different states and at the federal level.
• They need to determine if states have laws that criminalize or protect consumers who use kratom.
• The commission has to check what penalties, such as fines or jail time, are associated with breaking these laws.
• They should also look for any other important information about how kratom is handled in Virginia and suggest changes to the rules if needed.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Virginia State Crime Commission
• The Board of Pharmacy

Terms To Know

Kratom

A plant that some people use for its effects on the body and mind.

Mitragyna speciosa

The scientific name for kratom, a tree whose leaves contain chemicals that affect how people feel.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what will happen after the report is made.
• It only talks about studying kratom and does not change any laws right now.

Official Summary Text

Virginia State Crime Commission; kratom regulation and enforcement; report.
Directs the Virginia State Crime Commission (the Commission), in consultation with the Board of Pharmacy, to conduct an analysis of the enforcement and regulation of Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom, throughout the United States. The bill provides that in conducting its analysis, the Commission shall determine (i) the status of kratom enforcement and regulation at the federal level; (ii) whether states regulate kratom through criminalization or consumer protection laws; (iii) the penalties, if any, associated with violations of state law related to kratom, including individual possession and retail sales; (iv) any other information it deems relevant to kratom enforcement and regulation in the Commonwealth; and (v) any recommendations for changes to existing laws related to the enforcement or regulation of kratom. Lastly, the bill requires the Commission to submit an executive summary and report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2026.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL NO. 442

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Rules

on ________________)

(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Mehta)

A BILL to direct the Virginia State Crime Commission to analyze kratom enforcement and regulation in the United States; report.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.
§ 1.
That the Virginia State Crime Commission (the Commission), in consultation with the Board of Pharmacy, shall
conduct analysis of the enforcement and regulation of Mitragyna specios
a
, commonly known as kratom,
and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)
throughout the United States. In conducting its an
alysis, the Commission shall determine (i) the status of kratom
and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)
enforcement
and regulation
at the federal level
;
(ii) whether states regulate
kratom
and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)
through criminalization or consumer protection laws
;
(iii) the penalties, if any, associated with violations of state law related to kratom
and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)
, including
individual possession and retail sales
;
(iv) any other information it deems relevant to kratom
and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)
enforcement
and regulation
in the Commonwealth
;
and (v) any recommendations for
changes to existing laws related to the enforcement or regulation of kratom
and the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)
. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assi
stance to the Commission for this analysis, upon request. The Commission shall submit an executive summary and report
of its findings and recommendations
to the Governor and the General Assembly
by December 1, 2026
.