A new state law takes effect Jan. 1 prohibiting youngsters from getting their hands on the plant known as Mitragyna speciosa from southeast Asia. Commonly sold in a concentrated pill form, it can offer a high similar to Vicodin or heroin but is legally sold in stores, officials said.
"When people are purchasing things from the store, they believe it's safe to ingest," said Rep. Dennis Reboletti, R-Elmhurst, who led the effort to ban kratom.
The former Will County prosecutor said there haven't been any known overdose deaths in the area. He said kratom hasn't been regulated federally because it hasn't been studied enough. Read more.