The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announced August 31 that they plan to ban kratom in the United States as of September 30, 2016 causing panic and outrage to the thousands who use the leaves as medicine.
Kratom is a plant native to Thailand and closely related to the coffee plant.
When taken in small doses the effects can be mildly stimulating. When a higher dose (4 to 6 grams) is consumed one can receive pain relief due to the naturally occurring alkaloids binding to our body’s opioid receptors.
However, there are no opioids present in this herbal supplement. It simply binds to our opioid receptors.
The DEA is falsely claiming that the plant contains opioids and that it will be placed in the same category as heroin, a schedule i drug, and has no medical use.
Advocates of kratom argue that this plant is a great alternative to traditional and addictive pharmaceutical pain relief.
It has also been used to treat some psychological disorders and significantly relieve those who suffer from anxiety.
There have been zero deaths due to kratom consumption alone. An overdose of kratom would result in nothing more than a little nausea and regurgitating the plant matter.
Withdrawal symptoms have been reported, although they are mild to mediocre- nothing in comparison to opiate/narcotic withdrawals.
Consumers of kratom cannot be categorized into one group. We are veterans, lawyers, teachers, healthcare workers, young people, old and everything in between.
Many believe that by taking this plant medicine away, innocent and valuable members of society will lose their lives in the process.
On a personal note, I have made drastic improvements to my life with this herb.
Throughout my years of taking kratom I have:
1) Quit all prescription medications
2) Quit drinking alcohol
3) Quit smoking cigarettes
4) Started meditating
5) Recovered from a life threatening disease
6) Took on full time employment
7) Joined a gym
8) Started a youtube channel to promote health
Please help to keep this plant accessible as a choice for those who may benefit from it like I have. Please sign the petition linked below.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/please-do-not-make-kratom-schedule-i-substance
To get further involved in this matter please visit the American Kratom Association facebook page. And search #iamkratom, #kratomsaveslives
