Clark County Bans Kratom Sales in Unincorporated Areas

Spread the love

Clark County Board Meeting | Jan. 16, 2026

Article Summary: The Clark County Board voted unanimously to prohibit the sale, possession, and delivery of Kratom and 7-Hydroxymitragynine products within the county’s unincorporated areas. The measure follows similar action taken by the City of Marshall and aims to curb the availability of the substances at local businesses.

Kratom Prohibition Key Points:

  • The Ban: Prohibits sales, possession, and delivery of Kratom and 7-Hydroxymitragynine products in unincorporated Clark County.

  • Reasoning: Officials described it as a “new” drug circulating in gas stations and businesses that needs to be kept out of public hands.

  • Vote Result: Passed unanimously (6-0), with Board Member Mike Parsons absent.

  • Public Input: Resident Warren LeFever supported the measure, noting Marshall City Council had already passed a similar ban.

The Clark County Board on Friday, January 16, 2026, adopted a resolution to ban the sale and possession of Kratom products in the unincorporated areas of the county.

Jonathan Burns presented the issue to the Board, describing Kratom as a “new” drug circulating within Clark County. Burns noted that the substance can be found at “any gas station and other businesses as well.” He provided the Board with a sample packet and informational handouts to demonstrate the product’s accessibility.

“Jonathan was asking the Board to approve the resolution to fine businesses that sell the product to help keep it out of the hands of people,” the meeting minutes state.

During the public comment period, Warren LeFever spoke in favor of the resolution. LeFever informed the Board that the Marshall City Council had recently passed a similar prohibition and encouraged the County to follow suit. He noted that the chemical composition of such substances can change over time, suggesting the resolution might need future updates. LeFever also mentioned that Marshall had passed a measure holding parents responsible for damage caused by their children, suggesting the County Board consider similar legislation in the future.

Board Member Jim Bolin made the motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Brandon Burkybile. The measure passed with a unanimous “aye” vote from the six members present.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Chicago homelessness on rise; advocates push for change

Chicago homelessness on rise; advocates push for change

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness City Policy Manager M Nelson is looking to change the way...
Partial government shutdown looms after funding deal failure

Partial government shutdown looms after funding deal failure

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate failed to advance a package of the six remaining federal funding bills Thursday, leaving less than 40 hours until the federal government...
Lawmaker pushing bill to study insurance for gun owners

Lawmaker pushing bill to study insurance for gun owners

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gun rights advocates in Illinois are raising alarms over House Bill 43, legislation that would create...
Illinois lawmakers consider bill to restrict SNAP buys

Illinois lawmakers consider bill to restrict SNAP buys

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation to limit what recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can...
Homan touts progress; vows Trump administration won't back down on immigration

Homan touts progress; vows Trump administration won’t back down on immigration

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square “Progress” is being made in Minnesota, Border Czar Tom Homan said during a news conference Thursday after being on the ground since Monday evening. Homan...
WATCH: Congressional seat at stake; Pritzker on Medicaid costs, school choice, ICE

WATCH: Congressional seat at stake; Pritzker on Medicaid costs, school choice, ICE

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square's Greg Bishop continues to unpack data...
Illinois Quick Hits: Man charged with threatening ICE agents

Illinois Quick Hits: Man charged with threatening ICE agents

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois man is charged with threatening to kill federal agents working for U.S. Immigration and Customs...
Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces run for Minnesota governor

Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces run for Minnesota governor

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced Thursday morning that she will be running for Minnesota governor in the 2026 election cycle. This comes after current Gov....
EXCLUSIVE: Minnesota workers say leaders rejected years of fraud warnings

EXCLUSIVE: Minnesota workers say leaders rejected years of fraud warnings

By Jared StrongThe Center Square Claims from current and former Minnesota state employees that have been vetted by state lawmakers allege their bosses ignored and rebuked fraud warnings for years,...
Remote marriage license bill faces skepticism from former clerk

Remote marriage license bill faces skepticism from former clerk

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Illinois proposal aimed at expanding access to marriage licenses for people with disabilities or...
Lawsuit: Illinois Dems can’t use state law to control the name ‘democrat’

Lawsuit: Illinois Dems can’t use state law to control the name ‘democrat’

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A group of Illinois Democrats who disagree with the power structure of their party on how to address transgender civil rights law...

Senators weigh American privacy risks in FBI Investigations

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Wednesday to consider the reauthorization of a surveillance tool that has improperly collected citizens' private conversations. The Foreign...
Illinois quick hits: John Deere to build in North Carolina

Illinois quick hits: John Deere to build in North Carolina

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square John Deere to build in North Carolina Illinois-based John Deere has announced that it will open new facilities in North Carolina...
State rep questions Pritzker move to 'expand and expand and expand' on abortion

State rep questions Pritzker move to ‘expand and expand and expand’ on abortion

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A member of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration says Medicaid plays a critical role for reproductive health services...
$1,000 Trump accounts to start July 4

$1,000 Trump accounts to start July 4

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square "Trump accounts" will launch beginning July 4, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday. The "Trump account" initiative was included in the "Big Beautiful Bill" signed into...