Kratom is one of the plants marketed on social media, among other things, as an ingredient for soap production. However, the underlying promise is that it provides similar effects to illegal drugs, but is legal to buy in Sweden. In 2023, over 40 tons of kratom were imported into Sweden.
I think it's unsatisfactory that this is sold completely unregulated. It has the kind of effects, there are obvious dangers with this. It can give effects that are very similar to drug effects, says Minister of Health and Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed about kratom.
According to an expert at the Customs Agency, the loophole in the legislation has been pointed out for several years – without being plugged.
I cannot anticipate and say whether it should be classified as a narcotic or not. It requires a basis from the responsible authority, says Jakob Forssmed.
"Working actively"
According to the minister, the authorities are on top of the issue. Specifically, the Public Health Agency.
It is clear that the Public Health Agency has the mandate to provide a basis if they consider that the kratom plant should be classified as a narcotic, says Forssmed and continues:
I know that the authorities are working actively on this issue.
Spread among young people
The minister also sends a rebuke to the companies that sell the substance.
It's not something that forces these companies to sell kratom and pretend it's for people who make soap.
It's a matter of decency to actually take some responsibility for the products you provide on the Swedish market, regardless of whether you've found a legal loophole for this or not.
Kratom gives mild stimulating and euphoric effects in low doses, while larger doses give opioid-like effects.
According to Juan Figueroa Sepulveda, chief physician and psychiatrist at the Maria Ungdom clinic in Stockholm, there is a certain spread of kratom use among young people.
They feel a sense of satisfaction and can't stop, he said recently to TT.
Kratom is a tree whose leaves contain mitragynine, the main active substance.
The leaves are dried and chewed, smoked, or ground into powder and used to make tea.
Kratom gives mild stimulating and euphoric effects in low doses, while larger doses give opioid-like effects.
Risk of addiction development. Epileptic seizures and development of jaundice occur. Isolated deaths.
Source: Poison Information Centre
