THE PLANT from which Kratom is derived (Wikipedia).

On a 7-0 vote, the Huntington Beach City Council acted to “place guard rails” on the dangers posed by the “supplement” Kratom that’s been connected to a wide variety of health problems, and even death.

On Tuesday night the council directed the city manager to work with the city attorney and the police department to prepare an ordinance prohibiting and/or restricting the sale or distribution of the substance in the city.

The issue was raised by Mayor Pat Burns, Mayor Pro Tem Casey McKeon and Councilmember Gracey Larrea-Van Der Mark, who cited information about the possible ill effects such as addiction, hallucinations, seizures, liver toxicity, and worse.

Its popularity comes from its reputation not only in treating pains, but also its stimulant effects of “increased alertness, boosted physical energy, talkativeness and a more social behavior,” according to drugs.com.