By — Ali Rogin Ali Rogin By — Zoie Lambert Zoie Lambert By — Claire Mufson Claire Mufson By — Satvi Sunkara Satvi Sunkara Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-regulators-want-to-ban-a-key-ingredient-in-kratom-a-popular-herbal-supplement Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Southeast Asians have used kratom leaves as a home remedy for centuries. Recently, its popularity in the U.S. has exploded as a way to ease the effects of opioid withdrawal. But kratom is poorly regulated and synthetic versions contain high levels of a powerful compound that officials say should be restricted. Ali Rogin speaks with Tampa Bay Times senior politics reporter Kirby Wilson for more. Listen to this Segment Watch Watch the Full Episode PBS NewsHour from Nov 09, 2025 By — Ali Rogin Ali Rogin Ali Rogin is a correspondent for the PBS News Hour and PBS News Weekend, reporting on a number of topics including foreign affairs, health care and arts and culture. She received a Peabody Award in 2021 for her work on News Hour’s series on the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect worldwide. Rogin is also the recipient of two Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association and has been a part of several teams nominated for an Emmy, including for her work covering the fall of ISIS in 2020, the Las Vegas mass shooting in 2017, the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2014, and the 2010 midterm elections. By — Zoie Lambert Zoie Lambert Zoie Lambert is a production assistant for PBS News Weekend. By — Claire Mufson Claire Mufson Claire Mufson is a journalist and general assignment producer at PBS News Weekend. She produces stories on a wide range of topics including breaking news, health care, culture, disability and the environment. Before joining PBS News, she worked in Paris for French public broadcasting channel France 24 and for The New York Times. By — Satvi Sunkara Satvi Sunkara Satvi Sunkara is an associate producer for PBS News Weekend.