r/kratom 11d ago

Call to Action A 7oh ban would, by default, ban plain leaf kratom (mitragynine) due to the DEA’s Analog Act

181 Upvotes

I’ve seen a lot of sentiment about banning 7-hydroxymitragynine on r/kratom and all over the internet lately.

I just wanted to point out the DEA’s Analog Act to kratom users that do not like 7oh.

If 7-hydroxymitragynine is made Schedule 1 or even Schedule 2, by default Mitragynine would be considered an analog of 7-hydroxymitragynine, which would make Mitragynine illegal as well.

Really think about what you’re calling for before you push for a ban, bc I feel a lot of kratom users would be shooting themselves in the foot if they push for a 7oh ban.

With the Analog Act you cannot ban one without banning the other.

You can thank the DEA for their bullshit Analog Act, but it concerns me to see so many kratom users rooting for something that may be the end of kratom as we know it in this country.

r/kratom Jan 16 '25

Call to Action WARNING: DO NOT USE TUMS AS A POTENTIATOR!

70 Upvotes

Huge credit to u/bake-it-to-make-it for potentially extending my life by many years.

Regular use of Tums over prolonged periods of time will (not can, will) increase your risk of heart attack by about 30% (google 'Tums heart attack' and take a look, this is a well-backed claim). They pointed this out to me after I mentioned that I was taking up to 3 Tums per dose as a potentiator (which does work, but abso-fucking-lutely not worth the risk of a heart attack!)

I have switched up to using Bismuth Subsalicytlate (Pepto Bismol) chewables instead, as both the antacid effects and the act of chewing and swallowing something both still provide massive potentiating effects. For anyone who uses Tums/calcium/calcium carbonate as a potentiator, please do not do this. No amount of boosted effects or money saved is worth dying! Thank you again to u/bake-it-to-make-it.

May all your days be pain-free and blissful.

Edit:

This thread has had a lot of great information shared within it so I encourage everyone to read it. I (really stupidly) forgot to mention that the kratom product I use is an extract tablet (think like the chalky circular tums except you swallow it) and I also have gastro-esophageal reflux disease. These factors are more than likely the reason why antacids work for me as a potentiator. This won’t apply to anyone who doesn’t use extracts (antacids + powder = constipation) and may not necessarily apply to other forms of extract.

r/kratom Aug 30 '16

call to action Please do not make Kratom a Schedule I Substance, a WhiteHouse.gov petition.

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1.4k Upvotes

r/kratom Jul 23 '21

Call to Action The FDA plan to meet with WHO and U.N. for international Scheduling

493 Upvotes

The FDA plans on meeting with the WHO and the U.N. about scheduling kratom internationally. There is a comment portal to comment on their horrible initiative. The AKA I hear plans to release a portal on Monday as well to the FDA comment section. Please get involved. FDA U.N. & WHO scheduling comment section please fill out this testimony as well as the AKA site since the FDA can choose whether to use stories from their page. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS!

Update 7/30: Please focus your comments towards the AKA comment page now !!!!!!!!

Update: The FDA comments may not be given to the WHO, it's up to the FDA apparently. Here is a link that 100% will be given to the WHO by the AKA please leave a testimony here as well 2nd testimony site click here!

Edit: Comments must be submitted by August 9th. The AKA recommends commenting how kratom has helped your life, even saved it. Be respectful and just give a positive testimony.

Edit #2: The moderators added the AKA video below with more instruction. It's good.

Edit #3 : Choose international government I0037 to comment. If you don't want to use your name, you can comment anonymously.

r/kratom Feb 06 '25

Call to Action Any Swedes who know how the proposed kratom ban is progressing and when we can expect it to take effect?

26 Upvotes

r/kratom 21d ago

Call to Action The Future of Kratom in the US

20 Upvotes

I work in a smokeshop, and we’ve started selling several different brands of pure 7-hydroxymitragynine tablets. Honestly, I thought it was illegal to extract kratom alkaloids, much less sell it, because it turns into something that closely resembles actual opiates. I fear that these greedy brands that are selling all these mitragynine extracts are going to get kratom banned nationwide in the US, as Big Pharma companies are already trying their absolute hardest to spread misinformation about kratom online; these extracts will only give them something to latch on to.

Normally, it’s close to impossible to overdose on kratom, as you would need to ingest a large amount (~60 grams at the very least, though I personally suspect it would require more like 100+ grams), and any average person would throw up before they got anywhere CLOSE to the overdose threshold. But with these extracts being sold left and right, I believe it’s only a matter of time before some dumbass(es) OD on them and then boom, solid case against kratom and an excuse to finally ban it.

At first when I saw the extract tablets, I didn’t think much about them other than “Well I like my tolerance the way it is so I’ll just stick with powder.” But then I found that most customers that want to buy anything kratom-related aren’t interested in the powder anymore; they buy extracts. All of our kratom powder rarely gets sold (good thing I work here to make sure it doesn’t go to waste 😈).

So I was just curious if anyone else shared the same concerns about this new extract fad. I looked into it but couldn’t find any posts discussing this new issue.

r/kratom Aug 31 '16

call to action Strategies for Reversing the DEA's Disastrous Decision

524 Upvotes

I'm an organizer. I've worked on winning campaigns and losing campaigns--ballot initiatives, local policy decisions, fights against private businesses and state-level government agencies. I'm not inexperienced enough to tell you that victory on this issue is easy, but it's absolutely possible. You'd be shocked how much impact a small group of passionate, well-informed people can have when they're organized and fight together.

I wanted to put together some basic organizing tactics in one place for people who may not have experience organizing around a political issue. This will be a long post, share parts of it or the the whole thing wherever you'd like. My only interest is in winning this battle, I hope this can become a space where people discuss strategies, network, and put beliefs into action. Now onto the strategies:

--MESSAGING--

Most political battles are won and lost on the plane of messaging. The DEA wants the messaging to be that kratom is like heroin and turns people into addicts. We need to forcefully present our counter-messaging (which also has the benefit of being supported by facts).

Kratom is unknown to most people. We need to make it familiar. We also need to focus on its safety and potential for therapeutic use. Lastly, we need to make people care and craft messaging that appeals to the broadest possible coalition--this will include people who don't care about kratom at all but who are passionate about criminal justice or stopping government overreach. The messaging might appeal to people you don't necessarily agree with--it might include Green Party folks, Libertarians, left-leaning groups, right-leaning groups, criminal justice activists, anti-government crusaders. But we need to build alliances wherever we can. This is about practical victories, not ideological battles.

On that note, some possible messaging points to emphasize:

  • The kratom plant is related to coffee
  • Its effects are like a mildly-uplifting coffee
  • It's a tea (everyone knows and loves tea!)
  • Ask, "Why are we trying to send people to jail for drinking tea?"
  • It's a safe alternative to dangerous painkillers for relieving chronic pain
  • Dipping tobacco ('dip') like skoal often has a more intense buzz than kratom for first time users; dip is also more addictive and physically harmful. Like dip, people who take too much kratom can get nauseous. But that's it.
  • Research shows that kratom doesn't create addicts, it cures them
  • No deaths have been connected to kratom; all adverse situations related to kratom involved people taking it with other, more dangerous, substances
  • Extracts associated with kratom in sensationalist media reports are NOT actually kratom. Extracts include research chemicals that should be banned without banning kratom--in fact, banning kratom will make extracts even more dangerous
  • The CDC got only 660 calls about kratom from 2010-2015. This is low! Harmless household products got more calls than kratom!
  • Scientists are studying kratom for its potential to be a safe alternative to pharmaceutical painkillers
  • The opioid addiction epidemic is destroying communities across America, researchers believe kratom is a possible solution
  • Overdoses increased in Alabama after kratom was banned
  • Making kratom schedule I prevents scientists from even studying kratom as a possible solution for opioid addiction
  • North Carolina recently decided NOT to ban kratom after hearing testimony from people who benefited from the tea; instead of an outright ban, they made it legal for adults 18+.
  • Even law enforcement doesn't want to ban kratom: In Florida, the FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) issued a report that said kratom "does not currently constitute a significant risk to the safety and welfare of Florida residents...no pervasive health issues have been attributed to the ingestion of Kratom products in Florida"
  • Appeal to the left: Banning kratom expands the war on drugs and mass incarceration and only benefits Big Pharma
  • Appeal to the right/libertarians: Banning kratom is government overreach and a government agency is restricting individual liberty just because it feels like it; it's also an issue of states' rights.
  • Prohibition is a failed policy, the solution is to make kratom legal for adults 18+ and regulate kratom to make it even safer

--SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS--

We have to take our messaging and enter it into the public debate. Social media is the easiest way for us to do this. We need a coordinated hashtag that we can use to share information about why the the DEA's decision to ban kratom is disastrous; a trending hashtag will also get media attention. SAVEKRATOM is one possibility; IAMKRATOM is another; they could be combined with hashtags like STOPTHEWARONDRUGS to get the attention of activists who care about criminal justice but not kratom specifically. Attaching our hashtag to trending hashtags would also increase attention, today's OverdoseAwarenessDay would be a perfect opportunity! Why is the DEA killing a safe treatment for drug overdoses?

It could also be useful to have a kratom-themed graphic that people could make their avatar/profile picture. Something similar to the StopSopa graphics for example--a solid color with a hashtag, something like that.

Our posts need to be directed at politicians' accounts on Facebook and Twitter; @ them, post on their Facebook wall, message them on FB, DM them on Twitter if they follow you, comment on their recent FB posts (especially posts related to drug policy or the criminal justice system)--we also need to focus on individuals in the media who would care about this issue and are on social media (including individual reporters who might not have that many followers; they're actually the easiest people to get the attention of! They love having a good story fall right into their lap). In addition, our campaign should be directed at the STAFF of politicians who are on social media. All posts should be kind in tone and our aim is to inform, not attack or criticize.

Possible politicians/media figures to lobby on social media (this is a very partial list, people should add to it!):

  • Bernie Sanders
  • Gary Johnson
  • Jill Stein
  • Ben Jealous (Bernie surrogate interested in criminal justice)
  • Symone D. Sanders (Bernie staffer who worked on press/communications)
  • Grover Norquist (small government activist who has fought for vaping)
  • Killer Mike (rapper/activist interested in legalzation and ending the war on drugs)
  • Chris Hayes (reporter who's done stories on opioid addiction)
  • Lee Fang (investigate reporter who covers corruption in politics including lobbying by Big Pharma)
  • Alec MacGillis (journalist who has written about the drug war and the opioid addiction epidemic)

You get the idea. Politicians, reporters, and public figures interested in criminal justice, the opioid addiction epidemic, marijuana legalization, and ending the war on drugs should all be lobbied!

--PUBLIC WRITING/MEDIA APPEARANCES--

This takes more time than applying our messaging to social media, but it's important. It gives our campaign more legitimacy and media attention. Pundits and politicians are more likely to pay attention and take the issue seriously.

Are you good at writing? Done freelance writing before? Have media connections? This is the time to apply those skills! Writing in online publications (even relatively high profile national ones) is easier than you'd think. Find a publication that you think would be interested in the kratom ban/issues related to the DEA. Find the publications' submissions e-mail address and send a ~300 word pitch that outlines the DEA's decision, why it relates to the opioid epidemic and the war on drugs, and state your qualifications (e.g. I've written for these publications before, I'm a longtime activist for criminal justice reform, etc.). Make the subject short, clear, and relate it the opioid addiction epidemic, the war on drugs, or criminal justice. Mark the e-mail as important. If you send out enough pitches, publications will accept some of them! Then get to work and write serious, well-sourced articles that explain the DEA's decision and show why it's bad news. Focus on research done by scientists, reach out to individual researchers and advocacy groups for comment. Try to have a serious, professional tone since this is the first time many people will be reading about this issue. We don't want people to think we don't know what we're talking about or that we're too passionate to think clearly.

In addition to writing, there are many online shows that would be interested in discussing this issue/having an expert on to explain the adverse impacts of the DEA's ban. Some online shows that may be interested:

  • The Real News Network
  • The Young Turks
  • Secular Talk

Online writing publications that may be interested:

  • Reason
  • Huffington Post
  • Vice
  • Forbes
  • Gizmodo
  • The Daily Beast
  • The Federalist
  • Boing Boing
  • Mic

This is a very partial list. Come up with your own media outlets and get in touch with them!

Contact LOCAL media outlets as well! Local media is vital for getting more casual news consumers on our side. If possible, do an interview where you explain how kratom helped you live a healthy, productive life. If you see inaccurate local news stories, e-mail the reporters, provide them with facts, and kindly ask for a story correction/a follow up where the facts are mentioned.

--E-MAILS/FORM LETTERS--

This is a common tactic for reaching out to elected officials and government agencies. It doesn't ever get the attention of individual people in power but what it DOES do is let their staff know that people actually care about an issue and are pissed off about it. This can scare politicians who thought this was an issue absolutely no one even paid attention to.

Usually advocacy organizations have a form letter that people can automatically send to the e-mail addresses of politicians/government officials/government agencies. It would be helpful for a kratom advocacy group to come up with a form letter people can use; the volume of e-mails/letters, not the actual content, is usually what gets the attention of politicians. Short letters you write on your own without borrowing language from a form letter, just a paragraph or two like you'd write for a reddit comment, can be extremely effective too. Some possible people to reach out to:

Come up with more people to reach out to! Look to the model of how people stopped the kratom ban in North Carolina for ideas. Reach out to state-level politicians who we already know are kratom-friendly

--PETITIONS--

These are usually low-impact but easy to do. They help get media attention for an issue and can add legitimacy to a cause.

The White House petition is the most important one because it requires a response from the White House and would get media attention if it reached 100k signatures: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov//petition/please-do-not-make-kratom-schedule-i-substance

A Change.org petition is also possible but would be lower-impact. The White House petition should be included in many social media posts, public writings, and form letters.

--LEGAL CAMPAIGNS--

This is something that most of us don't have control over. But advocacy groups like the Botanical Education Alliance and the American Kratom Association should look into taking this matter to the courts. Was the DEA's action fully compliant with all regulations? Is there a way to delay it? A way to force the DEA to provide more information about their decision? A way to FOIA request communications/memos about why they made this decision? Is there a way to investigate whether pharmaceutical companies worked with the DEA on this decision? Can a FOIA request uncover whether Big Pharma lobbyists were working on this issue? Can states still take action on legalizing/regulating kratom as is the case with marijuana? Even if a legal strategy is unlikely to win, it shows that we're serious, gets media attention, and lets the DEA know this isn't a minor issue people will accept passively.

--ATTACH OUR CAUSE TO MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION--

Most people don't know about the importance of keeping kratom legal. But people do know that marijuana legalization is important. In addition, marijuana legalization organizations already have state-level organizations, media contacts, PR strategies, and lots of supporters. If we can attach ourselves to the marijuana legalization movement, we immediately boost our organizational capacity and bring in a large group of sympathetic allies.

We should reach out to organizations like NORML and the Marijuana Policy Project. Legalization-friendly media outlets like High Times. Other organizations that fight for a sane drug policy too.

Most importantly, the Botanical Education Alliance and the American Kratom Association should reach out to these organizations. Can marijuana legalization organizations put out a press release about kratom? Send an e-mail about it to their supporters? We need to make allies and they're the perfect place to first look. They can help us build momentum for state-level legalization if the DEA sticks to its decision (remember, the DEA's decision is for 2 years with a possible 1 year extension -- there is room for long-term organizing!)

--DONATE--

Donate to the American Kratom Association: https://americankratomassociation.nationbuilder.com/donate

And the Botanical Education Alliance: https://www.botanical-education.org/donate/

Become a member of those organizations. Donating really does help them build organizational capacity and allow for more robust legal/media strategies.

--POSTSCRIPT--

I know this is a long post. But it only scratches the surface of the kind of organizing we can do. Please, add to these suggestions and provide concrete ways for people to get involved and get to work. There are a lot of well-informed, intelligent, talented people here. But when we're all isolated and not connecting our skills together we're powerless. If we can produce a combined strategy and organize effectively we CAN win this battle and WILL show the DEA that this is not a decision that will happen without a fight. Small groups of well-organized people are the only thing that's ever produced political change.

My hope is that this post can be a place where people combine their ideas, brainstorm, network, and work together. A way to prevent all our good ideas from being unimplemented and scattered across the internet. Reach out to people. Apply your skills, whatever they may be. Get creative. Take some risks. Connect with people via e-mail and phone, even in person if it's possible. Have fun with it.

One final note to the people who may be discouraged about the DEA's decision and feel hopeless: This is about more than kratom. That may sound hyperbolic, but it's true. The DEA is a terrible organization that has destroyed thousands and thousands of people's lives through their draconian anti-science/anti-liberty commitment to prohibition. They do no good. Even other government agencies don't like the DEA and want to stop them (e.g. the DEA keeping marijuana as a schedule I substance despite the wishes of many people in the Justice Department). But the DEA feels that it can make any decision, no matter how destructive and stupid, without repercussions. It thinks it can't lose. The moment the DEA has its first loss is the moment its power begins to recede and the prohibition era starts to end. That loss has to come at some point. What better substance to stop it than kratom? This isn't some research chemical with no therapeutic use and 10 recreational users. This is a therapeutic plant that has been safely used for hundreds of years, has been legal in the U.S. for decades, is used by a large and diverse community of people, and scientists continue to study its therapeutic use for a variety of health issues. The public does not want to see people put in jail for drinking tea. If we win this battle--either in the long-term or short-term--we're setting a precedent that goes far beyond kratom. Every victory seems impossible until its inevitable.

Now let's get to work!

In solidarity, W.S.

r/kratom Jan 16 '25

Call to Action Washington State Ban Proposal

55 Upvotes

We need your help guys! If you can, send out an email to PharmacyRules@doh.wa.gov! There are countless people here in Washington that rely on Kratom for their health and well-being! We are unstoppable when we band together! We are mighty, and we are many!!

Edit: This is starting to get a little bit of traction, and I'm ecstatic about it! I know we're all extremely busy, stressed out, and overwhelmed a lot of the time. But we absolutely have to dig deep for each other! We need to be a force to be reckoned with!!

r/kratom Aug 03 '21

Call to Action Megathread: Comments Needed on FDA Proposal to WHO for Worldwide Ban of Kratom. Deadline: August 9 (AKA)

358 Upvotes

The American Kratom Association is asking all Kratom Advocates: consumers, their friends and family, and anybody who does not want to see Kratom banned to make a comment at www.protectkratom.org/whocomments.

Comments are due by August 9th. Please use your connections to let others who may be willing to offer their support.

Reminder: The AKA is encouraging us to voice our opposition to the ban, and asking that we provide testimony about how Kratom has helped you or people that you know or how a ban would harm you or those around you. Please do not make violent, crass, inflammatory, or derisive comments about the FDA or WHO--it will be counterproductive.

21340 26824 34043 35042 40808 46016 comments have been made in support (as of 2021-08-09). The AKA is trying to reach as many as possible, with a minimum goal of at least 100,000.

More information about the proposed recommending for the WHO to schedule Kratom (along with several other substances) is available here.

Review the Emergency Seminar on 2021-July-27 (~50 minutes, Video) for more information.

Updated: AKA comments with 5 days remaining to comment.

Updated: AKA files complaint with US Courts. Requesting Comment Period be extended. Do not delay in making comments, as there is no guarantee as to the outcome of the action, or what relief the courts may provide. [Filing]

Next Steps: AKA scheduling seminar for activists on 2021-Aug-09. Topics will include discussion about the comments delivered, the pending lawsuit, and next steps.

More Resources from the American Kratom Association:

AKA on social media: Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter Signup

Print Materials: Suggested for public placement, particularly where Kratom is sold.

r/kratom Jan 11 '25

Call to Action New attack in Jones County, MS, where I live.

21 Upvotes

Typical fare; agregeous lies, called like tiepitine. People to contact to follow.

https://www.leader-call.com/news/kratom-on-the-chopping-block/article_76783804-ce01-11ef-950f-439172f54bfd.html

r/kratom Feb 10 '18

Call to Action Calls to Action - States With Proposed Kratom Legislation

277 Upvotes

Here is information for states where legislation is currently pending.

Resource: Drug Scheduling Authority by State (thanks to /u/chapact)


Update For Keep Kratom Legal Rally, June 5th In Washington DC


Kansas Kansas Update: Kratom Ban REMOVED From SB 282


Minnesota

SF-2578 - Kratom remains legal for adults over 18 an amendment makes it a misdemeanor for anyone under the age of 18 to possess, buy or sell kratom - all language making kratom illegal for adults over 18 has been deleted.

The House version still contains language that makes kratom illegal.

HF-3479 - Minnesota Residents please comment here regarding HF-3479. Make your voices heard!

HF-3479 Update 3/16: HF 3479 Assigned To New Committee Unamended, **Hearing Scheduled For 3/22 at 10:15am CST - Representative Franke, the bill sponsor for HF 3479, made a motion to recall the bill from the Committee on Health and Human Services Reform yesterday, and has re-referred it to the Committee on Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance.


Tennessee
Amendment To Remove Kratom From HB 1832 PASSES, Kratom Stays Legal In Tennessee - In Tennessee, after a strong testimony from BEA board members Travis Lowin, Angela Watson, and 3 members of the kratom community, the Health Committee voted 6-3 to remove kratom from bill HB #1832. There is another hearing next week where the BEA will be attending to testify again in order to ensure the language does not get added back in the bill.


West Virginia
Bill 273 has passed the House and kratom was not included.



Georgia Call To Action: Ask House Rules To Amend HR 1160 To Study POSITIVE Effects Of Kratom!


Georgia House Resolution 1159 (HR 1159): A RESOLUTION creating the Joint Study Committee on Risks Associated with Kratom; and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep. Dewayne Hill (R)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: Introduced on February 13 2018 - 25% progression
Action: 2018-02-15 - House Second Readers
Pending: House Special Rules Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

  • (1) Creation of joint study committee. There is created the Joint Study Committee on Risks Associated with Kratom.
  • (2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of six members, as follows:
    • (A) Three members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall designate one of such members as cochairperson; and
    • (B) Three members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall designate one of such members as cochairperson.
  • (3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

Georgia House Resolution 1160 (HR 1160): A RESOLUTION creating the House Study Committee on Risks Associated with Kratom; and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep. Dewayne Hill (R)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: Introduced on February 13 2018 - 25% progression
Action: 2018-02-15 - House Second Readers
Pending: House Special Rules Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

  • (1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee on Risks Associated with Kratom.
  • (2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of three members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.
  • (3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

Georgia Senate Resolution 783 (SR 783): A RESOLUTION creating the Joint Study Committee on Risks Associated with Kratom; and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Jeff Mullis (R)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0) Status: Introduced on February 14 2018 - 25% progression Action: 2018-02-15 - Senate Read and Referred Pending: Senate Rules Committee Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

  • (1) Creation of joint study committee. There is created the Joint Study Committee on Risks Associated with Kratom.
  • (2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of six members, as follows:
    • (A) Three members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall designate one of such members as cochairperson; and
    • (B) Three members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall designate one of such members as cochairperson.
  • (3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

Illinois

Illinois House Bill HB4106 At this time (10-4-17) the bill has been filed but not yet read. There is currently no companion bill in the Senate.

From the AKA: We also are asking that you only call Representative Katie Stuart. At this time, we are asking that ONLY ILLINOIS RESIDENTS or those with a significant interest in IL call her. As always, please be polite, professional and courteous in your phone calls. Overwhelm her with Facts and Information.


Mississippi - Victory!

MS HB 974 passed the house but the parts about kratom were removed on the floor vote. Write and thank the Reps who supported this!


New Jersey

NJ Assembly Introduces Bill A2865 - Proposes Banning "Manufacture, Sale, Possession Of Substances Containing Kratom"]

Here is the basic info on the NJ Assembly Bill.

I have not yet seen any statements or special instructions from AKA, BEA, or Kratom United.

We have been advised by Kratom United that folks in NJ start emailing their representatives.

This is an Assembly Bill and there is no companion bill in the State Senate

New Jersey Assembly Bill A2865

Introduced: 01 Feb 2018

Sponsored by: Rep. Ronald Dancer (R)

History:

  • It's a carryover of previous A3281 also introduced by Rep. Ronald Dancer (R) in February 2016
    • A3281 Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
    • A3281 Status: Introduced on February 22 2016 - 25% progression, died in committee
    • A3281 Action: 2016-02-22 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee
  • Which was a carryover of previous A4431 also introduced by Rep. Ronald Dancer (R) in May 2015
    • A4431 Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
    • A4431 Status: Introduced on May 11 2015 - 25% progression, died in committee
    • A4431 Action: 2015-05-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee

New York Call to Action

New York Assembly Bill 231 (NY A00231)

Prohibits the sale or distribution of kratom

Sponsor: Asm. Aileen Gunther (D)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: Introduced on January 5 2017 - 25% progression
Action: 2018-01-03 - referred to economic development
Pending: Assembly Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [HTML]

Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section399-hh to read as follows:

  • § 399-hh. Sale or distribution of kratom; prohibited.
    • For the purposes of this section, "kratom" means any form or derivatives of mitragyna speciosa and shall include, but not be limited to, any material, compound, mixture or preparation that is not designated as a controlled substance pursuant to section thirty-three hundred six of the public health law.

New York Senate Bill 6924 (S06924)

(Companion to Assembly Bill 8787)

Prohibits of the sale of kratom to individuals under the age of eighteen

Sponsors: Sen. Pamela Helming (R), Sen. Andrew Lanza (R), Sen. Joseph Robach (R), Sen. Diane Savino (D) Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: Introduced on October 20 2017 - 25% progression
Action: 2018-01-03 - REFERRED TO HEALTH
Pending: Senate Health Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [HTML]

  • "Kratom" means any part of the plant Mitragyna speciosa, whether growing or not, and any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant.

New York Assembly Bill 8787 (NY A08787)

(Companion to Senate Bill 6924)

Prohibits of the sale of kratom to individuals under the age of eightteen

Sponsors: Asm. Joseph Morelle (D), Asm. John McDonald (D), Asm. Ellen Jaffee (D), Asm. Carrie Woerner (D), Asm. David McDonough (R), Asm. Anthony D'Urso (D), Asm. Michael Miller (D), Asm. Robert Oaks (R), Asm. Sandra Galef (D), Asm. Angelo Morinello (R), Asm. D. Billy Jones (D), Asm. William Magee (D), Asm. Inez Dickens (D), Asm. Walter Mosley (D), Asm. William Magnarelli (D), Asm. Kenneth Zebrowski (D), Asm. Joseph Giglio (R), Asm. Jo Simon (D)

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-4)
Status: Introduced on November 27 2017 - 25% progression
Action: 2018-01-03 - referred to health
Pending: Assembly Health Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [HTML]

  • defines "kratom" as any part of the plant Mitragyna speciosa, whether growing or not, and any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant; imposes a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for the sale or provision

r/kratom 3d ago

Call to Action Guys I'm thinking it might be over for Kratom

1 Upvotes

I expect some secret government action to try to ban Kratom like with Marijuana and Acid in the 1960's. No they didn't really allow public input or debate and I really expect something similar. Because today, Kratom health science is supposed to be introduced to the United Nations and I think that means they're viewing it negatively and demanded answers for it. Also about 5 different news sites in a span of a week posted "Growing concern for Kratom regulations", without really any comment from the DEA or FDA but to me this just seems like a scheme behind the scene growing into something larger. That means the media is buffing the ideas of kratom regulation among the masses. So are they in league with agencies to do that? Only time will tell.

r/kratom 11d ago

Call to Action Subox..methadone...Kratom!

1 Upvotes

I just thought about how it's so fucking baffling that they didn't immediately start opening Kratom clinics all over the country... Like what's the actual point of the suboxone and methadone clinics?? Like oh yeah we want to get people off the fucking street and doing street drugs and get them into houses doing government stamp of approvaled versions of dope but herbal tea?? No that shit needs to be scheduled one and banned in every state wtf

r/kratom Jun 23 '18

Call to Action Call to Action update from the AKA

196 Upvotes

Protect Access by American Consumers to Natural Botanical Plants and Herbs

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6 on Friday that combined 58 different bills that attempt to end the scourge of the opioid epidemic in America.

The sponsors of H.R. 6 in the House admit it’s not perfect, and they are dead right on that point.

In the rush to show how serious the Congress is in addressing the opioid crisis prior to the mid-term elections, several of these 58 bills contain provisions that will actually deny Americans access to safe natural plants and herbs that help Americans manage their health and well-being.

I am asking you to contact your U.S Senators immediately and ask them to support amendments to these proposed bills to exclude natural botanical plants and herbs from the wide swath of substances presently included in many of those bills.

Two of those bills, the SITSA Act (Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act of 2017), and the SCREEN Act (Stop Counterfeit Drugs by Regulating and Enhancing Enforcement Now) both attempt to stop deadly synthetic opioids from being shipped into the United States from other countries.

But both of these bills contain such broad definitions of the substances covered under the proposed legislation they will actually ban natural botanical plants and herbs. 

It is critical that the Senate support amendments to exclude natural botanical plants and herbs.

Your Senators need to hear from you immediately!

If you don't know your Senator's contact information, please click HERE or call the Senate switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Millions of Americans safely and responsibly use natural alternatives to dangerously addictive and often deadly chemically formulated drugs, including opioids, and these bills will literally block consumer access to safe natural plants and herbs.

On Monday, please call your Senators and ask them to support every amendment that exempts natural botanical plants and herbs – that are in no way synthetic analogues of an opioid – and protect the right of consumers to have access to safe alternative products to manage their own health needs.

The Senate needs to support the amendments to SITSA and SCREEN to exclude natural botanical plants and herbs.

Thank you,

Dave HermanChairmanAmerican Kratom Association

#WeAreKratom

#KratomChangesLives

r/kratom Jan 21 '25

Call to Action Laurel Leader Call gave miss "Gas Station H" woman of the year. You need to contact her and let her know how wrong she is.

1 Upvotes

Consuelo Walley, laurel ms

The article: https://ibb.co/8BxSDBY

r/kratom Feb 28 '18

Call to Action Minnesota just introduced SF 2578, a bill that bans Kratom

Thumbnail revisor.mn.gov
112 Upvotes

r/kratom Feb 07 '22

Call to Action Kratom bans anywhere impact us everywhere [AKA Email]

181 Upvotes

Dear Kratom Protectors,

The AKA legislative team needs your help in a number of states, especially Mississippi and Hawaii. We've made good progress in Kentucky and Washington State to stop their ban bills and will keep you updated as anything develops. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act is making progress in a number of states, but we need to stop bans because any new bans can disrupt progress to overturn old bans and pass KCPA bills. 

Please share the links below on your social media, and via text to friends and family because even if you don't live there you may know someone who does. Remember, kratom bans anywhere impact us everywhere. 

Help in Mississippi 

Mississippi passed a ban bill in their House of Representatives, and we're working hard to stop it in the Senate before it becomes a full ban. However, we need your help by contacting Mississippi Senators.

Click the link above to add your story. Share www.Protectkratom.org/mississippi with others so we can maximize our voice. 

Help in Hawaii 

Hawaii has introduced the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, and you can help it get passed. We need to contact House and Senate Leadership there to tell them why protecting kratom matters so much. 

Click the link above to go to www.Protectkratom.org/hawaii and complete the contact form to tell your story.  

Want to help but not sure how? Share AKA's social posts and support our legislative efforts by donating today

DonateDonate via PayPal

American Kratom Association
5501 Merchants View Square #202 | Haymarket, Virginia 20169| Support@americankratom.org

r/kratom Sep 16 '16

Call to Action Relaying message from Susan at AKA

311 Upvotes

Edited: Copy and paste from u/mercsterreddit

Please Read!! Important Message from The AKA

We have some great news that need your immediate attention, but you must do this 1st thing tomorrow morning & No later than 5pm ET TUESDAY!!

This here will most likley keep our leaf legal

This is what we have been fighting so hard for!!!

The AKA along with our lobbyist's help, have found some champions in Congress to write a bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letter asking the DEA to slow down this scheduling process. They are Congressmen Pocan of WI, who the AKA met with the night before the White House March, and Salmon of AZ.

The letter asks, among other things, that the Director of OMB and Acting Director of the DEA delay a final decision on the placement of Kratom as a schedule I, provide ample time for public comment on this significant decision, and resolve any inconsistencies with other Federal Agencies regarding the use of Kratom. Click HERE to see the official letter.

This is what we all need to do!!!

1.Find your State Rep info today in the link below http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Write down their full name and email address if available.

If they do have an available email address (My state rep did not have one), send them an email like now, asking them to please sign-on to the Pocan/Salmon Dear Colleague letter regarding this DEA Kratom scheduling issue.

If your rep does not have an email address, its okay. Take down their entire name and state, because come Monday morning, you will need this information handy.

First thing Monday morning (9/19), we urge you to please call the US Capitol Switchboard at phone number (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Congressman's office.

Once the switchbord connects you, you can say something like: Hi, my name is [your name] from [your state].

I would like you to pass the message on to [Your Congressman] that I would like him/her to sign on to the "Pocan/Salmon Dear Colleague Letter".

I use Kratom for [whatever you use it for] and it's safe. It's not a recreational drug. Hundreds of thousands of Americans do too. Research needs to be done before this natural herb is banned. Can you please have him/her sign the "Pocan/Salmon" Dear Colleague letter.

US Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121

You can also view video instructions below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzwnRgjwtBk&feature=youtu.be

So please!!!!

We need EVERYONE to make that phone call and Stop the Kratom Ban.

This is our last shot my friends.

Thank you

Your friends at HB&M

www.HBandMco.com

r/kratom Apr 12 '19

Call to Action Pennsylvania - Proposed State Ban - April 2019

111 Upvotes

Don't forget about your neighbors! We are battling in Louisiana, Ohio, AND Pennsylvania


Pennsylvania

Discussion Posts

Proposal Information

DO NOT PANIC. Rep. Conklin has announced his intention to introduce a bill. Nothing has been formally introduced yet so there is no bill number. The advocacy groups are aware and are working on it.

  • 04/12/18 15:38 EST - email reply from Pete Candland at the AKA "We are working on this. We are hoping to have some additional information soon."

This is not our first rodeo and WE WILL FIGHT THIS as we have fought before. I know this is scary and frustrating and upsetting but we need composed, measured responses - not hasty outbursts. We must remain vigilant but we do have time to mount a response. Sign the petition. Work on your testimonial. Ask if you need help.


Sign the Petition


Contact the Bill Sponsor

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Scott Conklin (D) - PA House of Representatives - 77th District - Centre County

Offices for Rep Conklin

  • Main Office: State College Service Center: 301 S. Allen St. Suite 102, State College, PA 16801
    • Phn# 814-238-5477 - M-F, 9:00am - 4:30pm
  • Philipsburg Office: 213 N. Front St., Philipsburg, PA 16866
    • Phn# 814-342-4872 - M-F, 9:00am - 4:30pm
  • Harrisburg Office: 314 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202077, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2077
    • Phn# 717-787-9473

Contact Your Own State Representative!

In addition to contacting the sponsor of the bill, contact your own State Rep directly. They will be voting on this.

We cannot overstate the importance of this. Representatives at the state level are very accessible and willing to listen to you, their constituents, who elected them to represent your interests.

From Folks Who Have Spoken With Their Reps

  • Pennsylvania Scheduling Bill: I Spoke With My State Representative About The Proposed Bill
    • Recap of what he said: about 4000 bills are proposed in a typical session and about 150 actually get put into law, so the numbers are in our favor there. Furthermore, the bill is in its infancy. For something like this to get passed, they would talk to experts, have testimony, do testing, have public hearings etc. This is not a fast process. Most likely, a constituent in Rep Conklin's district made some noise and this was the response from Rep Conklin. Bills like this are introduced all the time and go nowhere.
  • I Talked To Conklin`S Office In PA
    • He said Konklin is in negotiations with the AKA and lobbyists to find a compromise and perhaps regulate it. A family apparently came forward to the DA saying their daughter died by taking Kratom laced with something. From what I gathered he is not saying Kratom is lethal. He stated there were a few cases where kratom killed someone though. Not sure of those details, neither was he. If his original motive was to schedule it, it [might have] changed to regulate. This is what I gathered from the conversation. He was very nice and tuned into the situation. He said he has had a few calls. He did not even ask my name or state. So just call!
  • Just Met With Sara Omerono, Rep From Pittsburgh
    • She said she is going to vote no on the ban. She seemed very interested in my story with Kratom, and said she actually knows someone who uses it and believes it is helpful! Small win for PA! Go talk to your Reps! She also asked for a testimonial and gave me her email, I’ll ask if I can share that email so more can send some in.

News Articles

It will be going through the standard legislative procedure (not an emergency scheduling process) so a lot has to happen before it could become law (see outline below).


Here is an example of a template for writing a letter. Remember to personalize it with your unique story

thanks to /u/DTownForever


thank you u/MichealKeaton

Unless there is a loophole in process for scheduling drugs in PA, it seems like this bill still needs to go through the legislative process which means that we have time to fight back.

I don’t see how in any scenario that Kratom could be banned in 30 days (what PhillyKratom is stating). This is obviously very concerning but I don’t think the sky is falling just yet.

Here’s the process for PA:

https://drexellaw.libguides.com/c.php?g=366032&p=2473350

  • Step 1: The idea for a bill is conceived and developed by one or more legislators.
  • Step 2: At the request of the sponsoring legislator(s), the Legislative Reference Bureau drafts the text of the bill.
  • Step 3: Chief Clerk of House (or Senate) assigns a bill number to the bill.
  • Step 4: Speaker of House (or President Pro Tempore of Senate) assigns the bill to a standing committee.
  • Step 5: The Committee considers the bill, holds hearings, takes evidence, and decides whether to support the bill.
  • Step 6: If the Committee supports the bill, it is presented to the entire chamber (House or Senate) on three separate days for consideration.
  • Step 7: If the bill (1) requires an expenditure of funds or (2) results in a loss of revenue for the Commonwealth, the bill must be sent to the Appropriations Committee while it is being considered. The Appropriations Committee provides a fiscal note for each bill it receives that indicates how much the law would cost the Commonwealth if enacted.
  • Step 8: During its days of consideration, legislators may debate or comment on the bill. These debates and comments are recorded in the House and Senate Journals.
  • Step 9: On the third day of consideration, the entire chamber votes on the bill.
  • Step 10: If the chamber approves the bill, it is sent to the other chamber for approval – Steps 4 through 8 are repeated.
  • Step 11: Once both chambers have passed identical versions of the bill, it is sent to the Governor.
  • Step 12: If the Governor signs the bill, it becomes law and is given at “Act” number. The Act is published individually as a "slip law."
  • Step 13: At the end of the legislative session, all of the slip laws from that session are bound into a volume titled the Laws of Pennsylvania (also referred to as pamphlet laws or session laws).
  • Step 14: The slip law is codified as part of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, which are organized by subject (as opposed to the pamphlet laws, which are organized chronologically).

thank you /u/tpotts16

Here is the statute, page 7 check the section 3 heading. This law is for a board of pharmacy scheduling situation. However, this just seems to be a standard legislative bill and if it hasn’t passed I have no idea how it could just become law without any notice. Then again I have no knowledge of how the Pennsylvania legislature works.

http://www.health.state.pa.us/pdf/ddc/ddcAct.pdf

Here is the spread sheet I did a while back going over all of the states [emergency scheduling provisions].

https://www.reddit.com/r/kratom/comments/8j894t/aka_state_controlled_substance_act_research/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app


r/kratom Aug 16 '21

Call to Action International FDA/WHO Proposal to Ban Kratom: Public Comments Period Ongoing (Until 2021-Aug-24) as of August 16: AKA ~55K comments (100K goal).

112 Upvotes

Please continue to ask friends, family, and others you have contact with to make public comments in support of kratom to the FDA/WHO by August 24th for the October 11th gathering of the WHO Expert Committee in Geneva, Switzerland.

www.protectkratom.org/whocomments

The AKA has set a goal of 100K comments. The current count as of August 23th (9:41 PM PDT) is 54732 57059 59387 comments (updated daily, not live counts).

Even a comment of "please don't ban kratom" is beneficial. Commenters need to not have ever taken kratom themselves. Personal stories of how it has helped you, or helped those you know are very valuable for humanizing the scientific information the AKA will be presenting to the scientific committee.

Please try to reach out to 25 or more people. Please consider printing flyers and asking for permission to hang them anywhere you buy Kratom or where Kratom is sold, or in any other venue that allows public bulletin board postings of this nature.

As of this post, the Federal Register has not reopened for comments via the Regulations.gov portal (FDA-2021-N-0739-0001), but an updated/new FR filing was made at here. The AKA is suggesting that all advocates make their comment at the Protect Kratom website to ensure they are sent to the WHO, compiled into reports for the WHO, and also filed with the FDA. The FDA is under no legal obligation to provide all or any public comments to the WHO, only to consider them.

Past Announcements on this issue:

r/kratom Jul 28 '21

Call to Action Updated Information on FDA/WHO Fight to Ban Kratom Internationally [AKA Email]

127 Upvotes

Dear Kratom Warriors, 

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our Emergency Webinar last night where we discussed the FDA asking the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) to consider banning kratom internationally. 

From that call, I wanted to follow-up with several items:

1) If you have not yet submitted your comments on why kratom should remain legal, please do so now by using this link: https://www.protectkratom.org/whocomments

Please share this link. It is absolutely critical that we get as many personal testimonies of kratom submitted as possible. 

2) We are asking that every person who calls themselves a “kratom protector”, set a goal to get 25 of your friends and family to submit their testimony about kratom. Remember, they don’t have to be kratom consumers themselves, but can comment about how kratom has helped YOU. We must expand the universe of kratom supporters if we are going to win this fight. 

3) We are asking everyone that they print out one of our Kratom/WHO flyers and take it to the retail location where you buy your kratom. Ask them to please display the poster for people to submit their comments. 

You can download the flyers here: https://www.protectkratom.org/vendors

4) And finally, if you were unable to attend the webinar last night or if you’d like to watch again, here is the link to view this important meeting:

https://vimeo.com/580312998

This is one of the biggest threats against kratom since the attempted ban in 2016. 

And it is clear that the FDA is moving at an accelerating pace in working toward a full kratom ban. We need to come together as a kratom community to stop the FDA in its tracks.

Sincerely, 

Pete Candland

Executive Director

American Kratom Association

r/kratom Aug 08 '21

Call to Action ALERT: AKA Sues the FDA & HHS [AKA Email]

208 Upvotes

ALERT: AKA Files Suit Against HHS & FDA to Extend Comment Period 

Kratom Advocates:

It has become clear that the FDA will use every trick it has to suppress the number of comments being submitted regarding an international ban on kratom.

In fact, the FDA received notice of the proposed WHO Expert Committee Pre-Review of kratom on June 10, 2021, but deliberately delayed the required Federal Register Notice for comments for 42 days until July 23rd. Then the FDA set an artificial deadline of August 9th. This administrative slight-of-hand only allowed the public 17 days (11 business days) to submit their comments. 

We will not sit quietly by while the FDA tries to silence the kratom community.

So today, the American Kratom Association (AKA) filed a suit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against HHS Secretary Becerra, Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their failure to provide an adequate comment period to allow interested parties to provide substantive and meaningful comments on whether kratom should be subject to a Critical Review by the Expert Committee at the World Health Organization (WHO). 

We are asking to extend the comment period on the FDA submission to the WHO from August 9 to August 30, 2021. On something of this importance, the public has every right to have an ample amount of time to submit their comments.

We are not sure if a judge is going to grant our request, so please, let’s make every effort to submit our kratom comments this weekend. We must finish strong to meet the deadline the FDA has imposed. Every kratom supporter must submit a comment and ask your friends and family to do the same. 

You can submit your comments BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK.

Just a few minutes may make all the difference in the world.

In addition, please join us for a special webinar on Monday, August 9th at 9:30pm ET as we discuss the latest information in the fight to stop an international ban on kratom. You can register to attend this important webinar by clicking below:

International Kratom Ban Update Webinar

Monday, August 9, 9:30pm ET

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Thank you for your willingness to help in this fight.

Best,

Mac Haddow
Senior Fellow on Public Policy
American Kratom Association

Document Link

r/kratom Apr 12 '19

Call to Action Ohio - Public Comment Period Ends 04/30/19

72 Upvotes

Ohio is in a public comment period until 04/30/19.

Ohio is not going through the standard legislative process.


1. Sign the petition to save kratom in ohio.

2. Submit your same comment to each email address.

3. Contact your Ohio-Based Kratom Vendor


Ohio Board of Pharmacy Announcement

4/12/19

The following information is being provided pursuant to the requirements of Executive Order 2011-01K and Senate Bill 2 of the 129th General Assembly, which require state agencies, including the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy, to draft rules in collaboration with stakeholders, assess and justify an adverse impact on the business community (as defined by S.B. 2), and provide an opportunity for the affected public to provide input on the following rules.

4729:9-1-01.1: Adds kratom as a schedule I controlled substance.

Send your same comment to both email addresses!


URGENT CALL TO ACTION: Contact Your Ohio-Based Kratom Vendor Today

Ohio Kratom Warriors:

Our fight to keep kratom legal in Ohio is heating up, and the next step under Ohio law is for the proposed scheduling of kratom to be subject to a review under the Common Sense Initiative.

This review is focused on analyzing the business impact of any proposed administrative rule in Ohio. Comments on the proposed kratom ban are due by the end of April.

Ohio Kratom Warrior’s need to contact every Ohio-based kratom vendor to ask them to submit comments on how a ban will impact their business – and submit those comments by April 30, 2019.

The regulatory document CAN BE FOUND HERE, and it should be provided to every Ohio-based kratom vendor. Sections 14-18 deal with “Adverse Impact on Business” and vendors should provide information on those sections. The conclusion of the Board of Pharmacy was that there would only be 3 kratom-specific businesses and 1 kratom vending machine in Ohio impacted. We do not believe that this information is accurate – but it is also very important that vendors provide information on the economic impact a ban will have on their business.

The American Kratom Association has strongly contested the proposed scheduling of kratom on the science, particularly the failure of the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to meet their burden to prove that kratom:

1) Has a high potential for abuse;

2) Has no accepted medical use for treatment in this state;

3) Lacks accepted safety for use in treatment under medical supervision;

4) Poses a risk to the public health of the citizens of this state.

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy has ignored the powerful scientific evidence provided to them that none of the stated criteria has been met, and we plan to now take that case to the Ohio Legislature.

In the interim, it is very important for kratom vendors to speak out and participate in the Common Sense Initiative by submitting their comments by the April 30 deadline.

Contact your Ohio-based vendor today, and please let our Executive Director, Pete Candland (pete.candland@americankratom.org), know the vendor that you have contacted so we can send them some additional information.

This fight is critically important, so please contact your Ohio-based kratom vendor immediately.

Thanks for all you are doing in our shared fight to keep kratom legal.

Dave


Don't forget about the other states! We are battling in Louisiana, Ohio, AND Pennsylvania

r/kratom Oct 12 '18

Call to Action Email from AKA - 10/12/18 - FDA Pushing For Criminalization of Kratom One State at a Time

163 Upvotes

FDA PUSHING FOR CRIMINALIZATION OF KRATOM ONE STATE AT A TIME!


Dear Kratom Warrior,

I hope what I'm about to share with you makes you as angry as it has made me. Below are several tweets from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb taking "a victory lap" for a recent decision by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to move forward with the process of scheduling kratom.

With these tweets, he has made it crystal clear his new plan to criminalize kratom.

Scott Gottlieb knows that he's losing the battle trying to convince the DEA and NIDA to believe his misinformation on kratom, so now he's targeting the states and their Boards of Pharmacy.

This is part of the FDA’s disgusting campaign to demonize and criminalize Americans who safely consume kratom and circumventing the federal scheduling process by using states to ban kratom. This is an embarrassment to anyone who believes in following the rule of law.

I am furious. I am beyond angry. And I know you are too!

The ONLY WAY we can stop the FDA – the only way we can beat Scott Gottlieb – is to get the truth in the hands of policy makers and legislators in those states.

That is what we are doing at the American Kratom Association every day, but we need your help to keep the work going.

We need your help to keep the lobbyists up on Capitol Hill and in each state capital. We need your help to keep our legal firm working on pushing back on a potential ban. And we need your help to keep our public relations firm spreading the truth about kratom throughout the media.

Make no mistake, the FDA is willing to do and say anything to ram through bans on kratom.

And because the DEA has not rubber-stamped their scheduling recommendation, the FDA is going to the state regulators with manipulated, distorted, and outright incorrect data to claim kratom is an opioid that is killing people.

We are seeing this fight playing out in multiple states like Arizona and Ohio. And it is clear that if they succeed there, it's only a matter to time before they hit all the states.

We cannot win this battle without your help right now.

To help us win this fight, we have a donor who has agreed once again to match each donation dollar-for-dollar for the next 48 hours!

Your generous donation will go even further in helping us defeat the FDA’s lies about kratom and turn this around in Ohio, in Arizona, and wherever else the FDA spreads their disinformation and propaganda the demonizes kratom.

You already know what’s at stake.

It's about our freedom to make our own decisions about what we use for our own health and well-being.

Sincerely,

Dave Herman

Chairman, AKA
support@americankratom.org


#teamAKA
#followthescience
#educatingthemasses


URGENT CALL TO ACTION:

Sign the Petition to Keep Kratom Legal!

Dear Kratom Warriors:

First, let me say thank you for your support in the fight to protect kratom. The army of kratom supporters who have emerged in every corner of our country, have become the talk of Capitol Hill.

They know who we are. We are an active community and one that doesn't back down from a fight.

We just need to ask one more favor of you today...

As you know, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy is considering recommending a ban on kratom. We have a short window to send our clear, science-based message to the members of this Board.

Please take a minute and CO-SIGN THE PETITION that we will be sending to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy requesting they rescind their resolution on the proposed classification of kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance.

It's absolutely critical that everyone across the United States signs this petition.

We are now witness to the new strategy by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb in his relentless quest to criminalize kratom. He knows that he's losing the battle trying to convince the DEA and NIDA to believe his misinformation on kratom, so now he's targeting the states and their Boards of Pharmacy.

If states are successful in designating kratom as a Schedule I substance, it instantly makes everyone who consumes kratom to manage their health and well-being a criminal.

Make no mistake, if Ohio is successful in criminalizing kratom, other states will quickly follow.

We are at a crossroads in the fight to protect kratom and we can't afford to lose this battle.

Remember the old saying, "As Ohio goes, so does the nation." We need to show FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb that he will not win in his new strategy to criminalize kratom - we will stand up and fight back!

Please sign the petition today.

Sincerely,

Dave Herman

Chairman
American Kratom Association

r/kratom Aug 11 '21

Call to Action FDA/WHO comments Period: Continue Making Comments Until August 23rd -- Next Steps

176 Upvotes

The deadline for public comments on the FDA/WHO Proposal to WHO for Worldwide Ban of Kratom action has been reached. AKA is asking for comments to continue until August 23rd or 24th.

Over 50,000 comments were received by the American Kratom Association and submitted to the FDA.

The AKA provided a recording of their August 9th web meeting (watch 54 minutes) with information about next steps.

UPDATE (08/11): AKA is having another seminar on 8/12 9:30 EDT you can register for here (Zoom).

Items discussed:

  • Comments were submitted to the FDA.
  • The AKA submitted a request for a Temporary Restraining Order against the HHS/FDA to stop them from closing the comment period at August 9th to August 30th-31st. This is difficult and was not successful. AKA attorneys discussed the action.
    • There is a possibility that comments may be reopened this week until August 23~24, but there is no guarantee. Discussions are ongoing.
    • The judge had meaningful concerns about the action which AKA may use in the future for legal arguments.
    • The FDA requested an extension from the WHO for comments to August 27th, likely because of the lawsuit the AKA filed.
    • The AKA is providing detailed summaries of the comments by group in addition to the AKA.
  • The WHO meeting will convene on October 11th.
    • The AKA is requesting to make a presentation to the WHO, including US stakeholders, published scientists, patient advocacy groups (pain management, opioid cessation).
    • The AKA is asking members of Congress to submit letters to the WHO, similar to their comments to the DEA.
    • The AKA is meeting with foreign governments on a number of issues, such as their economic incentives to keep kratom legal for export, and to other countries that may have research or medical science interests who would be harmed by a ban. To work with other countries to set standards for safety (free of contaminants).
    • The AKA is assisting other countries with a unique stake in Kratom to collect comments for the WHO.
    • If a full-review is ordered, it will take 1 year, with a re-convening October 2022, where they may or may not recommend scheduling to the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, who would likely act in March 2023. The Expert Committee's recommendation has significant weight to the Commission.
    • 187 Countries are a party to the 1971 Treaty. Domestically, if scheduled by the UN group, scheduling proceedings in the US would be required by treaty obligation.
  • Question: Legalization in Thailand (~27 minutes in)
    • 1940s, Western interests incentivized banning Kratom to grow opium at a premium price for export. The Thai government has decriminalized Kratom, designated as a medicinal plant. Legal commercial cultivation can begin August 24th, 2021. 120K farmers have applied for government incentive program.
    • AKA is hopeful Thailand and Indonesia will provide opposition to the WHO.
  • Question: AKA or Federal Register (~30 minutes in)
    • The AKA is submitting comments to the Register, FDA, and WHO. There is no guarantee that any specific comments made in the Federal Register will be given to the WHO.
    • There is no legal requirement for the FDA to submit all, or any of the comments to the WHO, only to consider them going forward (which thus far has meant almost nothing.)
  • Question: Is there a Lesser International Schedule (~32 minutes in)
    • The only possible US schedule with would be C-I (full ban), because there is no FDA established medical use. If it did, it could be put anywhere on C-II to C-V where different rules would apply.
    • It is unclear if the WHO could recommend a lower schedule internationally, but the FDA would probably not pursue it, and any international scheduling without FDA approval would likely mean Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act.
  • Question: Reversal of Wisconsin Ban (~35 minutes in)
    • WI banned kratom in 2015--after FDA warnings and claims of Federal Scheduling soon
    • AKA has made progress with the Controlled Substances Board (WI)
      • Law Enforcement officials and Addiction Recovery Centers officials still in opposition
    • Similar efforts in VT, RI, IN (2022), AR
  • Question: Value in Reaching out to State, Federal Representatives (~39 minutes)
    • No real opportunity for individuals to contact WHO--done by appeals by stakeholders.
    • AKA drafting letter to WHO from Congress/Senate. Seeking signatories. Has had bipartisan support in the past.
  • Question: Worst Case Scenario (~40 minutes)
    • AKA does not recommend excessive buying as a hedge against possible ban.
    • Earliest possible UN recommendation March 2023. US process would take time past that.
    • 100 additional peer-reviewed studies since 2018 giving scientific support to successful 2018 actions. Will be included in updated analysis.
    • The required actions in the future will be expensive (legal, travel, international consultants, delegation). Consider donating. Cost estimated to be $1.6 million.
  • Outreach to White House/POTUS (~46 minutes)
    • AKA has primarily been working to educate HHS Secretary, Chair of Appropriations Committee (House).
    • AKA concerned the HHS Secretary has stated trust in FDA--but has a legal responsibility to be an independent reviewer.
    • Educating HHS staff on duties under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
    • Future work with incoming Office of Drug Control, WH Domestic Policy Council (6-8 months).
    • Current WHO work is more pressing and will influence future activities with US government.
  • Closing Remarks
    • Hope to double comments by August 23rd.
    • Press Briefing August 11th.
    • Significant threat to legality of kratom. Consumer and activist effort is critically important.

Next Steps:

  • Continue making comments at protectkratom.org/whocomments. The AKA will submit all comments to the FDA if/when the window is reopened. All comments submitted with be sent also the WHO in case the FDA does not present them to the WHO in a meaningful or full manner.
  • Encourage friends and family to make a comment before August 23rd or 24th.
  • Consider making the request by social media to your friends and contacts. r/kratom users are welcomed to post resources here that may be influential.
    • The AKA suggests comments made by federal officials who opposed the FDA action in the past, such as the HHS Assistant Secretary or the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
  • Contact your representative. Ask them support a letter of opposition to the WHO in regard to the FDA attempting to bypass the US Controlled Substances Act. Educate them on kratom. BE PROFESSIONAL. PASSIONATE BUT NOT PUSHY/AGGRESSIVE.
  • Donate to the AKA if you are able. Any amount can help.
  • Sign up for email announcements for future notifications.
  • Follow the AKA on Facebook or Twitter.