Kratora is excited to report that both the Senate and House of Representatives have filed Federal Kratom Consumer Protection Act legislation. This is the first step toward kratom consumer protection that has ever been taken at the federal level. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Lee (R-UT) were joined by congressman Mark Pocan in introducing legislation that will hopefully provide federal protections for kratom users.
Kratom’s Prior Legal Battles
For years the FDA has been trying to get kratom classified as a Schedule 1 drug. In 2016, the Drug Enforcement Agency intended to classify kratom as Schedule 1 based on recommendations from the FDA. Fortunately, enough advocates, scientists, and policymakers came forward in support of kratom that the motion was dropped.
The main concern with kratom is that it’s not thoroughly regulated. Adulterated kratom products can cause adverse side effects that have nothing to do with the plant itself.
In fact, the American Kratom Association (AKA) has been lobbying for individual states to pass kratom regulation bills for the past several years, specifically calling for kratom products to be all-natural, free of additives and contaminants, and third-party lab tested. Through this advocacy seven states have passed their own Kratom Consumer Protection Acts with much success. The AKA believes that continuing this regulation will make it easier for scientists to study kratom’s benefits properly and provide a safer experience for all kratom users.
The WHO Supports Kratom
In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) finally put the issue of kratom as a Schedule 1 drug to rest. An expert committee on Drug Dependence, made up of twelve independent scientists from all over the world, reviewed the available evidence on kratom and unanimously decided it did not need to be internationally scheduled.
The WHO’s decision has helped spur on kratom legislation at the federal level in the United States. Congressman Mark Pocan said, “Kratom can be a harm reduction tool…it doesn’t belong in our broken drug scheduling system. This legislation will prevent the criminalization of kratom consumers and distributors while promising scientific research is conducted.”
Who Benefits From This Kratom Consumer Protection Act?
The Federal Clarity for Kratom Consumers Act would protect kratom from being further restricted in the US by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or the FDA. Kratom would not be at risk of becoming a Schedule 1 drug or being labeled as a dietary supplement. In addition to these protections, the HHS would create a Kratom Research Task Force to conduct research into the potential therapeutic benefits of the plant to be shared with Congress.
“I have heard countless stories of the benefits of kratom experienced by consumers across the country, including veterans, law enforcement officials, and everyday Americans who credit kratom with saving their lives. This legislation that we introduced today will be life-changing for these Americans,” said Senator Mike Lee.
This new kratom bill will allow scientists to perform more accurate studies on the benefits and uses of kratom. It will also protect those consumers who have come to use kratom in their daily lives. Distributors will be held accountable for the quality of their products which will ensure that consumers have access to safe, lab-tested, and certified kratom products. This federal Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a huge victory for kratom advocates all over the country.
Want to learn more about kratom quality and value? Start here:
Why Buying Cheap Kratom Can Be Dangerous
