So back in early 2022, I didn’t know what the kerfuffle was about. I thought this was just another CBD shop. Only it’s not.
So before we get to what the courts recently said, let’s talk about the fact that this build out apparently went on with NO permits being pulled? How is this possible? Well apparently Radnor is now pennywise and pound foolish and outsourced their inspector types? But still, no one noticed? RIGHT THERE IN THE ODDEST SHAPED BUILDING IN WAYNE WITH A BEER DISTRIBUTER AROUND BACK? The Director of Community Development is a guy named Kevin Kochanski. He seems to be an affable fellow but what I find interesting is if you watch the Radnor Planning Commission meetings he seems to be ummm…absent a lot? I mean really? He’s the building and planning guy and he’s not at meetings? WHY? Telekinetic? Other super powers of divine osmosis?
Anyway, anyway, in March this year Radnor did a lickety split ordinance against Kratom and THC-Delta 8
I still didn’t understand because I had quite simply never heard of Kratom. I just thought it was the name of the store chain or something. But Kratom is this plant from Southeast Asia. And Places like the Mayo Clinic do not like it. A little research indicates that use may lead to severe breathing issues, liver damage, kidney failure, seizures, coma and death. Between July 2016 and December 2017, it played a role in at least 91 overdose fatalities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Supposedly it can also cause seizures. So once again, not all herbal things are good.
~ NIH
“Kratom” commonly refers to an herbal substance that can produce opioid- and stimulant-like effects. Kratom and kratom-based products are currently legal and accessible in many areas, though U.S. and international agencies continue to review emerging evidence to inform kratom policy.1
While there are no uses for kratom approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, people report using kratom to manage drug withdrawal symptoms and cravings (especially related to opioid use), pain, fatigue and mental health problems.2,3,4 NIDA supports and conducts research to evaluate potential medicinal uses for kratom and related chemical compounds.
NIDA also supports research towards better understanding the health and safety effects of kratom use. Rare but serious effects have been reported in people who use kratom, including psychiatric, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and respiratory problems.1,5 Compared to deaths from other drugs, a very small number of deaths have been linked to kratom products and nearly all cases involved other drugs or contaminants.1,6,7,8,9,10
So anyway I actually do not blame Radnor Township for saying no. I mean it IS within walking distance to the RSD middle school and I think isn’t there a Catholic grammar school not too far from there? Schools have a hard enough time with kids vaping.
Now the store chain is still saying never say die because a perusal of their website finds:
The reason for this post? The CBD Kratom folks lost a round in court:
Is it over? Nope. But it’s still a win. But I still do not get how they think they could just set up shop? Of course it also means that Radnor needs to peruse it’s commercial districts more diligently, yes?
This is interesting, and now I know what Kratom is, so I am concerned because in Chester County we have a bumper crop of smoke shops that sell Kratom:
Fumee The Smoke Shop – Malvern (Delta 8, Vape, CBD, Kratom, Glass, Hookah)
All In One Smoke Shop West Chester
Prince of Puff Smoke Shop West Chester
Rollies Tobacco and Vape Downingtown
I had a giggle checking out the websites and social media pages for these shops. Essentially they are head shops too. When I was growing up I remember Critters in Bryn Mawr. They would hide the bongs. Anyway, just a giggle with a memory.
But seriously? Kratom might be an issue. It’s a shame these townships didn’t check out the data on Kratom.
Thanks for stopping by.