The Marion County Board of County Commissioners has decided to hit pause on drafting a local ordinance to restrict or ban kratom products, choosing instead to wait for impending federal action from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and align future efforts with the City of Ocala.
The decision followed an extensive public discussion during Tuesday’s commission meeting, where county leaders weighed severe public health concerns against major legal enforcement hurdles and the economic survival of compliant local small businesses.
The discussion came after county leaders previously evaluated a potential local ban and expressed a united stance on banning the substance alongside Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano, who has repeatedly stated he wants kratom out of local stores…