L.A. County banned sales of kratom. Now some residents say they're losing a lifeline for pain and opioid withdrawal

"It's too soon to tell whether kratom-related deaths have dissipated as a result - or, really, whether there was ever actually an epidemic to begin with. But many L.A. residents had become reliant on kratom as something of a panacea for debilitating pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms, and the new rules have made it harder for them to find what they say has been a lifesaving drug."

"When Wallace was scheduled for his first knee replacement in 2021 (he had his other knee replaced a few years later), his brother recommended he take kratom for the post-surgery pain. It seemed to work: Wallace said he takes a quarter of a teaspoon of powdered kratom twice a day, and it lets him take charge of managing his pain without prescription painkillers and eases harsh opiate-withdrawal symptoms."

"He leaned on opioids when he could get them and alcohol when he couldn't, resulting in a strain on his marriage. When Wallace was scheduled for his first knee replacement in 2021, his brother recommended he take kratom for the post-surgery pain. It seemed to work: Wallace said he takes a quarter of a teaspoon of powdered kratom twice a day, and it lets him take charge of managing his pain without prescription painkillers."

Los Angeles County implemented a ban on kratom and 7-OH, a synthetic alkaloid variant, approximately four months ago in response to concerns about overdose deaths. However, evidence of an actual epidemic remains unclear. Many residents had become dependent on kratom as a treatment for chronic pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. The ban has created difficulties for these individuals seeking the substance. Robert Wallace exemplifies this situation—he used kratom following knee replacement surgery to manage post-operative pain and reduce opioid dependence. Taking a quarter teaspoon twice daily, he found kratom effective for pain management without prescription painkillers. Wallace and other Los Angeles residents express frustration with county health department restrictions limiting kratom access, citing its positive impact on their lives.

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