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Support House Bill 5537: Protecting Recovery in Michigan
The Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals (MATCP) supports House Bill 5537, legislation to prohibit the growth, sale, and distribution of kratom and its synthetic derivatives in Michigan.
Our Perspective
MATCP represents judges, attorneys, probation officers, treatment court coordinators, clinicians, law enforcement, and peer recovery who work every day with individuals on the path to recovery.
From this front-line experience, we have seen how unregulated substances, particularly those with inconsistent potency and unclear clinical effects, can destabilize progress and create avoidable risks.
Why House Bill 5537 Matters
Unregulated Availability
Kratom is widely accessible with limited oversight, labeling standards, or consumer protections.
Disrupts Treatment
Use among participants complicates drug testing, clinical assessments, and medication-assisted treatment plans.
Inconsistent Products
Potency varies significantly, with potential exposure to unknown contaminants.
High-Risk to High-Need Populations
Individuals in treatment courts often have co-occurring disorders, increasing the dangers of unregulated substances.
MATCP Position
A ban on kratom would:
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Provide clear and consistent standards for treatment court programs
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Reduce barriers to effective monitoring and supervision
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Strengthen the integrity of individualized treatment plans
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Help protect individuals working toward long-term recovery
MATCP believes House Bill 5537 is a critical step toward improving public health outcomes and supporting evidence-based recovery practices across Michigan.
Take Action
Contact Your Legislators Today
Your voice matters. Contact your elected officials and encourage them to support House Bill 5537.
Find Your Legislators:
Key Committees to Contact
Michigan Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee
Michigan House Judiciary Committee
Two Ways to Help
1) Send your own personal Letter of Support (see sample below)
2) Sign on to MATCP's Letter of Support
Sample Letter of Support
[Date]
Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name],
I/we write in support of House Bill 5537, which would ban the growth, sale, and distribution of kratom in Michigan.
I/we and the members of the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals (MATCP) - judges, clinicians, probation officers, and coordinators - work alongside people in recovery every day. They see, up close, how quickly an unregulated substance can derail progress that took months to build.
Kratom has become a particular concern in treatment court settings. It is widely available, largely unregulated, and often used by participants who have little understanding of how it interacts with other substances or medications. That uncertainty creates real problems: it complicates drug testing, muddies clinical assessments, and can quietly undermine a treatment plan that was otherwise working.
We are also troubled by the inconsistency of kratom products on the market. Without meaningful quality standards, individuals may be exposed to products with unpredictable potency or unknown contaminants. For this high-risk, high-need population—many with co-occurring disorders—that kind of exposure carries serious risk.
A ban would provide treatment courts with a clear and consistent standard while removing a substance that has repeatedly created challenges within recovery and supervision settings. Kratom’s unregulated nature, inconsistent potency, and growing use among vulnerable individuals make it difficult for treatment teams to effectively monitor recovery progress and maintain stable treatment plans. Michigan should take proactive steps to close this gap and provide stronger protections for individuals working to overcome substance use disorders.
We believe House Bill 5537 represents an important step toward protecting public health and supporting long-term recovery efforts across Michigan. We appreciate your consideration of this issue and are happy to answer any questions or serve as a resource as the Legislature continues discussions on this legislation.
Thank you for your attention to this issue and for your continued work on behalf of individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title / Organization]
Ways to Get Involved
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Send a letter or email to your legislators
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Share this information with colleagues and partners
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Engage with Judiciary Committee members
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Stay informed through MATCP advocacy updates