OLYMPIA — The Senate Labor & Commerce Committee held a hearing Monday on legislation aimed at regulating the sale and distribution of kratom products in Washington state. Kratom is a plant-based substance made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. It is commonly sold as powders, capsules, and beverages, and is often available in health stores, online retailers, and some convenience stores. Some people use kratom for energy or mild pain relief, but health experts and lawmakers have raised concerns about its safety, lack of oversight, and access by young people. Senate Bill 6196, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), would establish clear rules for how kratom is sold and handled in Washington, including:
About Rebecca
Sen. Rebecca Saldaña represents Washington state’s 37th Legislative District, which includes parts of South Seattle, Renton, Madrona, the Central District, Leschi, Beacon Hill, Columbia City, Rainier Valley, and Bryn Mawr-Skyway. A proud Chicana of Mexican and German heritage, Saldaña grew up in Seattle’s Delridge neighborhood. Her upbringing, shaped by economic and environmental challenges, instilled a deep commitment to conservation, resilience, and justice.
Her father, a Mexican immigrant and former farmworker who became a machinist, worked in Georgetown near one of Seattle’s largest polluters. Her mother, a social worker, came from a family of Midwest farmers. These experiences fueled Saldaña’s determination to advocate for communities disproportionately affected by environmental and social injustices.
Read Rebecca’s full biography here.
