St. Joseph City Council Preserves Natural Kratom, Bans 7-OH and Tianeptine

The St. Joseph City Council voted Monday night to keep natural-leaf kratom legal while banning the sale and possession of two synthetic or highly concentrated substances often sold alongside it: 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and tianeptine.

The decision came after hearing testimony from medical professionals, educators and residents during the Aug. 3 council meeting. Originally, city leaders had considered banning all three substances, but an amendment removed natural-leaf kratom from the ordinance before the final vote.

Council Draws a Distinction

The revised ordinance makes it illegal for anyone—not just those under 21—to possess or distribute 7-OH and tianeptine within the city. Previous city regulations only restricted minors.

Supporters of the amendment argued there is an important difference between natural kratom leaves and the newer, highly concentrated products that have appeared in convenience stores and smoke shops.

Mayor Larry Miller cast the lone vote against the amendment that removed natural-leaf kratom from the ban.

Medical Experts Weigh In

Dr. Robert Corder, medical officer for the St. Joseph Health Department, told council members he supports banning 7-OH and tianeptine but not natural-leaf kratom.

When asked directly whether natural kratom should also be prohibited, his response was brief and direct.

"No."

His testimony helped reinforce the distinction between traditional kratom products and newer substances that many health officials believe carry greater risks.

Concerns About Driving Products Underground

Missouri Western State University professor Christine Ziemer also spoke during the meeting, warning that outright prohibition can create unintended consequences.

She argued that banning products does not eliminate demand but instead pushes sales into unregulated markets.

"Banning does not stop use. But what it does do is make products more dangerous, because now they're unregulated."

Her comments reflected a broader debate taking place across the country as states and cities wrestle with how to regulate kratom and similar products.

Why the City Took Action

City officials said the ordinance is intended to protect public health while state and federal governments continue evaluating how these substances should be regulated.

The city specifically targeted:

• 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH): A highly concentrated kratom alkaloid that is significantly more potent than traditional kratom products.

• Tianeptine: Sometimes marketed as a supplement or "gas station drug," despite concerns about addiction, withdrawal and overdose.

Officials have expressed concern that both substances have become increasingly available in convenience stores despite limited regulation.

Other Business Before the Council

The meeting included several other major projects and funding approvals.

Phil Welch Stadium Improvements

Council members approved $49,737 from the Parks Sales Tax Fund to install new handrails at Phil Welch Stadium.

The improvements follow the recent installation of new stadium seating and are intended to improve accessibility and overall safety.

Water Protection Facility Upgrades

The council approved a $1.19 million contract with Garney Construction for the fifth phase of the Domestic Blower Replacement Project at the Water Protection Facility.

The work includes new electrical infrastructure such as:

• Switchboards

• Motor control equipment

• Network switches

• Pressure and flow transmitters

• Electrical panels

The project is one of six planned phases aimed at modernizing the facility.

Eastowne Sewer Project

Council members also approved additional engineering services for the Eastowne Sewer Improvement Project.

Snyder & Associates will review engineering documents and construction records from the original 2015 Candy Creek Pump Station as part of plans to realign the Eastowne Force Main.

Traffic Safety Grant

The council gave first approval to accepting a $155,802 grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

If approved at a future meeting, the funding will support:

• Hazardous moving violation enforcement

• Impaired driving enforcement

• Motorcycle safety initiatives

• Midland Empire Alcohol Taskforce operations

Fire Station 10 Budget Increase

Council members also held a first reading on a proposal to increase the budget for the new Fire Station 10 from $4.2 million to $6.2 million.

The measure will return for a future vote before becoming final.

A Divisive Issue With a Compromise Outcome

Monday night's vote represented a compromise after weeks of discussion. Rather than banning all kratom products, the council chose to focus on the substances many health professionals identified as posing the greatest concern while leaving natural-leaf kratom legal.

The decision places St. Joseph among a growing number of communities attempting to distinguish between traditional kratom and newer concentrated products, while broader regulations continue to be debated at the state and federal levels.