HB 328 Now Includes a Kratom Scheduling Amendment
📄 HB 328 – Kratom Amendment: The amendment has been formally written and added to HB 328. It would place mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine into Schedule IV of the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act.
This is the critical moment. The kratom industry fought hard to kill the previous ban, but now we have a new vehicle – HB 328. The amendment is in place. We must ensure it survives and passes.
Your ask is simple and specific:
- Support the HB 328 amendment that adds mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine to Schedule IV.
- Vote YES on HB 328 with the kratom scheduling amendment.
- Reject any attempts to strip the amendment or weaken it with industry-friendly regulation.
North Carolina has a real chance to remove these dangerous, unregulated opioids from gas stations and vape shops. Don't let the industry win. Contact your representative now.
Why Kratom Must Be Scheduled – The Evidence
- It is an opioid. Mitragynine is a partial mu-opioid agonist – same mechanism as morphine, oxycodone, and heroin.
- It causes addiction and withdrawal. Thousands report severe withdrawal: anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, diarrhea.
- It is contaminated. Independent labs have found lead (up to 1 µg/g) and ethanol (15-16%) in top-selling brands.
- It is killing people. CDC's SUDORS database shows hundreds of overdose deaths with mitragynine detected.
- No medical use. The FDA has rejected every attempt to approve kratom for any condition.
Schedule IV is the right tool. It allows for criminal penalties for sale and possession, sends a clear public health message, and gives law enforcement the ability to remove kratom from stores.
Email Template (Copy and Paste)
Subject: Support the HB 328 kratom scheduling amendment
"Dear Representative [NAME],
I am a constituent in [CITY/DISTRICT]. I am writing to urge you to support the HB 328 amendment that places mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine into Schedule IV of the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act.
Kratom is an unregulated opioid sold in gas stations and vape shops. Independent lab tests have found lead and high levels of alcohol in popular brands. It causes addiction, withdrawal, and has been linked to overdose deaths.
The amendment is already written. Please vote YES on HB 328 and oppose any attempt to remove or weaken this scheduling language. North Carolina families are counting on you.
Thank you for protecting our communities."
Phone Script (30 Seconds)
Script:
"Hello, my name is [NAME] from [CITY]. I am calling to ask Representative [NAME] to support the HB 328 amendment that schedules kratom as a Schedule IV substance. This is our best chance to remove these dangerous opioids from stores. Please vote YES on HB 328. Thank you."
How to Submit a Request
Email or call your representative using the contacts below. Keep your message short and clear. Structure:
- Your name, city, district.
- State your request: "Support the HB 328 kratom scheduling amendment."
- Explain why: opioid agonist, lead contamination, ethanol, addiction, deaths.
- End with a clear ask: "Vote YES on HB 328. Oppose any attempt to remove the amendment."
Attach evidence from our Evidence page (lead reports, ethanol findings, CDC death data).
Contact All North Carolina House Members
Email and call. The kratom lobby is counting on silence. Prove them wrong. Ask them to support the HB 328 amendment.
Call after emailing. Aides track calls. A 30-second conversation matters more than an email.
Support HB 328 – Schedule Kratom Now
The amendment is written. The vehicle is HB 328. Now we need the votes.
Contact your House representative today. Tell them: Support the HB 328 kratom scheduling amendment. Vote YES. No more gas-station opioids.