Iowa House votes to list kratom as Schedule I, rejects regulatory amendment

Representative Vonder opened debate on House File 2133, saying kratom poses serious public-health risks and urging the House to designate it as a Schedule I controlled substance. "We must classify kratom as a scheduled drug due to undeniable public health risks and escalating safety concerns," Representative Vonder said, citing requests for action from the Iowa Medical Society, the American Medical Association and other groups.

Vonder and other proponents shared emotional accounts and family testimony claiming fatalities linked to kratom products, which the sponsor used to underscore urgency. Representative Vonder summarized specific family autopsy and toxicology findings as part of his remarks.

Opponents and some moderates pressed for a regulatory approach instead of prohibition. Representative Sorensen argued that regulation — testing, labeling, age restrictions and controlled retail environments — would preserve consumer protections and prevent the product from moving to underground markets. "Before placing a plant into that category alongside heroin, we should be absolutely certain that prohibition is the right approach," Representative Sorensen said, arguing that regulation keeps testing and labeling in place.

Other lawmakers weighed both sides: supporters stressed reports of emergency-room visits and deaths they attribute to kratom, while critics warned about driving the market underground and stressed youth-protection measures such as age limits.

The House considered amendment H8168 (and related amendments including H8176) while debating whether to regulate or ban the substance. A recorded roll-call on amendment H8168 resulted in 44 ayes and 51 no votes; the amendment failed. After closing remarks from the sponsor, the clerk reported the final passage vote as recorded on the floor: 69 ayes, 26 no, 5 absent. The Speaker declared HF 2133 passed the House and the title was agreed to.

Next procedural steps: the bill will be transmitted to the Senate. The bill text as read on the floor would place kratom in Schedule I and make penalties applicable; the transcript did not include implementation details or an accompanying fiscal note on the floor.