Michigan Republican Rep. Cam Cavitt on Why He Championed the State's Total Kratom Ban

Why it matters

A profile of Rep. Cam Cavitt — the Northern Michigan Republican who sponsored the total kratom ban that passed the Michigan House in a 56-48 vote — sheds light on the political dynamics and scientific tensions driving state-level prohibition efforts.

The big picture

Michigan's HB5537, which passed the House largely along party lines with most Democrats opposing, would prohibit anyone from growing, synthesizing, selling, or distributing kratom or synthetic variants. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. Some Democrats prefer targeting only minors and synthetic 7-OH, rather than a total ban.

Key findings

• Rep. Cavitt's bill would make selling kratom a criminal misdemeanor, with local law enforcement responsible for enforcement at gas stations and smoke shops
• Cavitt pointed to neighboring Great Lakes states that have already banned kratom as justification for Michigan to follow
• The bill includes an amendment that would become null and void if a medical use for an isolated kratom compound is federally approved
• Most Democrats in the Michigan House opposed the bill, favoring regulation over prohibition
• Senate passage is uncertain — some senators prefer raising the minimum purchase age or restricting only synthetic 7-OH products

What they say

Rep. Cavitt said: "The abuse potential is unfortunately just so significant, we can't ignore it. If they do discover a medical usage, isolate a certain chemical or something in the kratom, then this would be null and void."

Bottom line

The fate of Michigan's kratom ban now rests in the Senate, where Democrats and some Republicans may push for a narrower approach targeting age restrictions or synthetic products rather than an outright prohibition.