City seeks to regulate kratom before it's a local problem

Perryville officials say their interest in kratom is focused on prevention, not reaction, and on understanding whether local regulation is possible before problems arise.

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Posted Thursday, January 22, 2026 5:04 am

What is kratom?

• Kratom is a plant-derived substance made from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. In recent years, kratom products have become widely available in the United States, often sold at convenience stores, smoke shops, and gas stations.

• The leaves of the kratom plant contain naturally occurring compounds — primarily mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine — that interact with opioid receptors in the brain. Because of this, kratom can produce different effects depending on the amount used.

• At lower doses, users often report stimulant-like effects such as increased alertness or energy. At higher doses, kratom can have opioid-like or sedative effects, including relaxation and pain relief.

•Kratom is not approved for any medical use by the Food and Drug Administration, and federal agencies continue to study its safety. While kratom remains legal in Missouri, health officials have raised concerns about potential side effects, inconsistent potency, contamination, and risks when combined with other substances.

• Some communities have chosen to regulate how kratom is sold — commonly by restricting sales to adults 21 and older and requiring products to be kept behind the counter — while awaiting clearer guidance from state lawmakers.

• City officials say their interest in kratom is focused on prevention, not reaction, and on understanding whether local regulation is possible before problems arise.

By Kevin Jenkins
editor@perryvillenews.com

Following discussion at the Jan. 6 meeting of the Perryville Board of Aldermen, City Administrator Brent Buerck said the city is exploring whether it can proactively regulate the sale of kratom and similar products before they become a broader community concern.

Kratom is a plant-derived substance that can produce stimulant- or opioid-like effects and is currently sold legally in many parts of the country, often at convenience stores and gas stations. While its sale remains legal under current state law, local officials say regulations have not kept pace with the product’s growing availability.

In a Jan. 7 interview, Buerck emphasized that kratom is not currently considered a problem in Perryville, and law enforcement has not reported issues tied to its use. However, he said the city prefers to act early rather than wait for problems to emerge.

“We don’t think this is a problem yet in Perryville,” Buerck said. “We do see it as a problem in other communities. And if we can learn from what’s happening there and avoid the problems here, that’s the Board of Aldermen’s goal.”

Buerck said the city routinely monitors state and national trends affecting municipalities, looking for both successful approaches and cautionary examples. In the case of kratom, some cities have moved to regulate how it is sold — typically by restricting sales to adults 21 and older and requiring products to be kept behind the counter — while awaiting clearer guidance from state lawmakers.

At the Jan. 6 board meeting, aldermen gave direction for staff to research possible local ordinances addressing kratom sales, as well as other emerging issues such as data centers and cross-border drop-offs. No specific ordinance has yet been drafted.

Buerck said determining whether the city has legal authority to regulate kratom locally will be the next step. If permitted, proposed regulations would be brought to the board for consideration.

The city’s approach, he said, reflects a broader philosophy of prevention. “If it’s a good idea, we want to steal it,” Buerck said. “If it’s a bad idea, we sure want to avoid it.”

State and federal agencies continue to study kratom and related products, including more concentrated forms such as 7-hydroxymitragynine. While kratom remains legal in Missouri, medical and public-health organizations have raised concerns about potency, contamination, and use alongside other substances.

City officials said residents would have an opportunity to weigh in if any ordinance is formally proposed.