Residents and a magistrate urge Mount Clemens to back state action and local measures on kratom

Carol Grant, a Mount Clemens-area resident, told the city commission that kratom sold in local smoke shops, gas stations and party stores is unregulated and has harmed someone close to her, and she urged the commission to begin responding with a resolution or ordinance to help prompt state action. “Although it may not solve the issue, it is a beginning,” Grant said, referencing House Bill 4969 and asking the commission to support efforts in Lansing.

Genevieve Taylor, a magistrate at the 40th District Court who also works as a defense attorney, described what she has observed in drug court and in probation cases: people unable to stop using kratom and probation officers uncertain about what the substance contains. “I had an incident last week where one of their probationers came in begging for help... I can’t stop using it,” Taylor said, adding that kratom’s effects range from stimulant-like at low doses to “as bad as morphine” at high doses, per her courtroom experience.

Taylor urged municipalities in Macomb County to coordinate rather than address kratom singly. She noted that across the United States approaches vary — from complete bans to local ordinances and to treating kratom like a scheduled drug — and said Indiana has taken more restrictive steps. Grant told commissioners she had spoken with Harrison Township Supervisor Ken Verkest and that other regional leaders were considering resolutions in support of state legislation.

The commission did not take formal action on kratom at the meeting. City commissioners and staff said the topic would continue to be discussed in follow-up sessions; the presiding official noted a recent work session on the topic where CARE of Southeastern Michigan and a Clinton Township trustee presented additional information. Several commissioners thanked the presenters and the public for the information and said they supported further study and potential local measures to protect minors and public safety.

Next steps: Commissioners indicated they would not let the issue drop and planned additional work sessions or future agenda time to consider whether to pursue a local resolution or ordinance and how to coordinate with county and state efforts.