Citation

LoParco CR, Yockey RA, Sekhon VK, Olsson S, Galindo R, Balasundaram R, Agwuncha T, Rossheim ME. J. Psychoactive Drugs 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Haight-Ashbury Publications in association with the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic)

DOI

10.1080/02791072.2023.2181243

PMID

36841785

Abstract

Kratom use is associated with cannabis use, so retail availability may also be related. Kratom and Delta-8 THC (a psychoactive cannabis product) are federally unregulated, marketed as "natural," and often used for pain relief and/or relaxation. Kratom may have greater retail availability in more socioeconomically deprived areas because harmful substances are frequently marketed to lower-income communities. This study examined kratom retail availability in Fort Worth, Texas. Locations with alcohol, tobacco, and/or CBD licenses were called in July 2022: 1,025/1,223 (84%) answered the phone. T-tests examined potential differences in socioeconomic deprivation scores surrounding outlets by whether they sold kratom. Cross-tabulations examined overlap in kratom and Delta-8 THC availability. Kratom was available in 6% of locations. Most kratom retailers had a tobacco license (92%). However, most stores with a tobacco license did not sell kratom (14%), whereas most stores with a CBD license did (55%). Kratom availability was not associated with area deprivation scores. Most kratom retailers (95%) sold Delta-8 THC and two-thirds (65%) of Delta-8 THC retailers sold kratom. This study was the first to examine retail availability of kratom.

FINDINGS indicate the presence of niche stores specializing in the retail of federally unregulated substances.

Language: en

Keywords

kratom; Mitragyna speciosa; hemp-derived cannabinoids; Recreational psychoactive substances