Although kratom has been used as an herbal supplement and natural medicine for hundreds of years, it’s only recently gained popularity in the United States and other Western countries. Unfortunately, with popularity comes scrutiny, prejudice, and no small amount of misinformation.
Government agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have tried to add kratom to the controlled substances list or ban kratom outright despite scientific evidence to the contrary.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a product made from the mitragyna speciosa, an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Kratom leaves contain two primary active ingredients, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, alkaloids that give kratom its unique effects.
Kratom users typically either brew the leaves into tea, chew the leaves raw, or consume a powder processed from kratom leaves either directly or in capsule form.
What Are the Effects of Kratom?
Kratom is known to have stimulating effects, including increased alertness and reduced fatigue. Kratom users often feel more social and experience a more positive vibe overall. Some people even report taking kratom to manage chronic pain.
At higher doses, kratom has been connected to sedative effects. Studies are being conducted about the viability of kratom as an opioid alternative or treatment for addiction, as well as a treatment for anxiety and depression.
The American Kratom Society offers a leaflet policy brief with more info: What is Kratom? – AKA Policy Brief
The Battle for Kratom’s Legality
In the U.S., kratom is currently legal in 44 out of 50 states. Six states have laws banning kratom: Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, and Vermont.
In Vermont, Kratom advocates convinced the legislature to change the laws; the government agreed to delist kratom from the controlled substance list and is in the process of decriminalization.
Across the United States, there are ongoing legal and political battles over whether and how kratom should be regulated. A number of states have embraced kratom and passed a version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), a model kratom law proposed by the American Kratom Association. Other states have proposed kratom bans working their way through the legislature. Many states are content to legalize kratom but set certain limitations, such as age restrictions.
Neither side of the debate shows signs of slowing or backing down, so if you care about keeping kratom in your life, it’s time to join the fight!
Kratom Advocacy Groups
The principal kratom advocacy organization in the United States is the American Kratom Association. The AKA is a group “dedicated to protecting the rights of all Americans to legally consume safe kratom to better manage their overall health and well-being.”
The AKA is engaged in a number of kratom-related efforts. The AKA is not opposed to all kratom regulations; instead, they want the FDA and other agencies to pass common sense kratom regulations that would ensure the public has access to safe, unaltered kratom. The organization has even issued its own “Consumer Guidelines for Kratom Use.”
The AKA has organized a number of specific kratom groups and programs: The Good Manufacturing Program sets standards for kratom manufacturers and sellers; the Truth in Labeling focuses on ensuring kratom companies label their products accurately and avoid making unproven and illegal claims about their products; the American Kratom Protectors is a national grassroots organization aimed at promoting consumer rights and fighting kratom bans nationwide.
Other lobbyists and civil rights organizations are also involved in the kratom fight. For example, the American Association for Justice, a group of justice-minded lawyers, has a dedicated kratom litigation group. The Botanical Education Alliance is an organization dedicated to “educating consumers, media and lawmakers about the safe medicinal uses of Kratom.”
Speciosa.org and Kratom.org provide helpful information about kratom and developments in kratom news.
How Can You Get Involved?
If you are a kratom consumer and you want to protect the product you love, there are many ways to get involved.
The AKA’s Project Kratom offers several ways to get involved. One of the fastest ways is to call or email your state and district representatives. Project Kratom also offers a venue for providing your own testimonial about how kratom has helped you in your life.
If you want to get more directly involved, the AKA’s American Kratom Protectors is looking for volunteers to join their lobbying and awareness efforts. If you have a law license, you can get involved with the AAJ and other kratom legal efforts.
If you don’t have the time to get involved but you have the means, you can donate to Project Kratom, the AAJ, or other kratom advocacy groups.
Join the Kratom Fight With the Mitra Bros
Follow the Mitra Bros blog to stay up to date on the latest kratom news. For the highest-quality kratom products, visit the Mitra Bros online shop.
If you have any questions about our kratom products, or if you want to get involved with kratom advocacy, feel free to contact us directly!
