Stopping Kratom Consumer Criminalization

Where we are & what’s next in 2022

At the end of 2021 the WHO ECDD had released their findings that kratom didn’t warrant even a “critical review”, let alone banning. However since the start of 2022, America has seen an alarming rate of attempts to criminalize kratom consumers in states. New Jersey, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, West Virginia and Washington State all had legislative bans proposed this year.

We even faced an attempt by Board of Pharmacy bureaucrats in Nevada to circumvent the state legislature and criminalize kratom. 

Yet with your support and advocacy, no new bans were passed and the Board of Pharmacy withdrew their ban notice (the Louisiana  legislature is still in session and considering a ban.)  

A new ban in any state is a threat to kratom in your state! State bans make kratom consumers criminals, and that’s something we can’t allow to happen. 

Elected officials in all states are incredibly influenced by how other states regulate and handle kratom, so even if you don’t live in a state with a proposed ban, all of it is connected, and one new ban now will lead to more later. 

Already this year we’ve had to allocate a tremendous amount of time, energy, and donation dollars stopping these bans. Although we’re thrilled at how we’ve come together as a community prevent kratom bans, it is terrifying how much it has taken to stop them.

We have to have continued support to be ready to address future bans, and do what we want most: pass Kratom Consumer Protect Acts and overturn bans in Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Alabama, Arkansas, and Indiana!

What is wrong here… when the DEA raids a prescriber’s office, they seldom/never go after any of the pts of the medical practice. For a person who has/had to obtain controlled substances under false pretenses. Are states eyeing all the money that the DEA has been able to accumulate by confiscate using the Civil Asset Forfeiture Act when going after a prescriber ?  Now, are these states that are trying to make Kratom a C-I controlled substance trying to use the Civil Asset Forfeiture Act… to add the state’s annual revenue.  After all, the Tobacco Settlement money in 1999 was to be paid off over 25 yrs and so that “free money ” is going to stop flowing… and all the lawsuits against various entities over the opiate crisis has not proven to generate $$$ settlements anywhere near what the tobacco settlement totaled.  Perhaps these states are looking at raising taxes and/or cutting services – or both … because they have become financially addicted to that “tobacco money” ?  Kratom, is a plant in the “COFFEE FAMILY”… is CAFFEINE next on their list ?

Filed under: General Problems