Kratom, an herbal supplement available at many gas stations nationwide even while public health experts warn of possible harms, could soon be banned within Spokane city limits.

The kratom ban was proposed by Mayor Lisa Brown. If approved by city council, products derived from the psychoactive plant could not be sold or distributed within Spokane. The city would be the first in Washington to ban the drug.

“I have taken seriously the input from both public health advocates and law enforcement, and they are seeing real harm in our community. This is common sense legislation that will protect people and keep our community safe,” Brown said in a statement.

In its original plant form, kratom has been used to relieve pain for centuries in parts of Asia. The product sold in America is dried and

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