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DEA Plan To Ban Herbal Supplement Kratom Has Some Users Worried

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Capsules of the drug kratom are seen on May 10, 2016, in Miami. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Capsules of the drug kratom are seen on May 10, 2016, in Miami. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The Drug Enforcement Agency is planning to announce tomorrow that it will classify the herbal supplement kratom as a Schedule I drug, putting it in the same category as heroin or LSD. That essentially makes it illegal without a prescription.

Users say the herb helps them manage pain without opioids, and even helps them kick opioid addiction.

More than 50 U.S. representatives have urged the DEA to delay its decision. But the DEA says there's not enough proof of kratom's medicinal value. Rebecca Smith of Side Effects Public Media reports.

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Rebecca Smith, health reporter for KBIA and Side Effects Public Media. She tweets @Becky_A_Smith.

This segment aired on September 29, 2016.

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