Normal could soon join a growing list of municipalities to ban the sale of kratom.
The town council will consider a ban on the sale or distribution of kratom at its regular meeting on Monday night.
Kratom is an herbal substance that can produce effects similar to opioids and stimulants. Bloomington banned its sale and possession in January.
Town staff say kratom, which is often sold in convenience stores, gas stations and similar retail outlets, carries the potential for serious significant health risks for users and it's largely unregulated.
“According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have found that some kratom sellers add more of the active ingredient than kratom naturally has. The lack of clear labels makes it impossible to know how much kratom a person is taking,” town said in a memo to the council.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration calls kratom a “drug of concern.” The agency said its users have experienced anorexia, weight loss, insomnia, seizure and hallucinations.
The DEA said in low doses, kratom has been linked to increased alertness and physical energy, but can also lead to addiction.
Kratom sales are banned in Illinois for anyone under 18. Town staff said they were waiting for the state legislature to pass legislation further restricting its sale, but it appears none of the bills to regulate kratom will be approved during the spring session.
The ban would take effect July 15. Violators would face fines of between $100 and $750 per day.
