Kratom enthusiasts need protection against low-quality Kratom strains and unethical business practices. Since the FDA wants Kratom off the market, the American Kratom Association (AKA) through the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) has stepped into the void to protect this herb and ensure its enthusiasts are not exploited.
Kratom is one of the healthy plants on earth. Thanks to its natural powers, this plant has been used for centuries to address various issues including unhappiness. Sure, users claim this herb is beneficial but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pushing for its complete ban. Kratom enthusiast, including the American Kratom Association (AKA), are, however, dedicated to proving that Kratom is a better alternative to opioids. AKA’s fight to keep Kratom strains in the market is backed up by the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Before looking at the Act, let us understand what Kratom is.
What Exactly is Kratom?
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree that grow in various South Asian countries, including Thailand, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Kratom belongs to the coffee family but are more effective for euphoria and other effects. Since it is safe, works fast, and its effects last longer, Kratom is a better alternative to opioids. Kratom varieties include Borneo, Malay, Maeng Da, Sumatra, and Bali. The names represent where the plants were initially discovered. However, other South Asian Countries, including Indonesia, grow the herb. Kratom is further classified based on the color of veins on its leaves. The common colors include white, green, and red.
White vein Kratom is processed from leaves harvested at their early maturity stage. Green vein Kratom is processed from leaves plucked while nearing maturity. This variety lies between white and red vein Kratom. On the other hand, red vein kratom is processed from mature leaves that mostly have red veins. Most Mitragyna speciosa effects have helped many people, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, lack of studies on these effects is pushing the FDA to ban the herb completely.
Does The FDA Campaign for A Ban Imply Kratom is Illegal in the USA?
Kratom is legal in the USA. However, the Big Pharma and FDA are pushing for Kratom ban due to lack of studies on its effects. Kratom is mainly available in capsules and powders. In the USA, you may rarely find fresh Kratom leaves, which are more effective than other herb forms. All forms of certified Kratom are available in physical and online stores, including just Kratom.
While some countries allow the sale and use of Kratom, others including Malaysia, Australia, and Thailand deem it illegal. If you are in a country that legalized kratom including the USA, it is important to observe the right dosage to avoid inconveniences. Typically, the dosage depends on your age, health, and tolerance levels. Beginners are always advised to start on a low dosage and work their way up if their bodies respond positively
What is the Kratom Consumer Protection Act?
Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a bill that fights for the survival of Kratom in the US market. This bill ensures consumers access and use of high-quality kratom and are not exploited by sellers and vendors. Availability of certified Kratom in the USA can help change the FDA’s notion on the plant. Since the KCPA covers the herb’s manufacture, distribution, sale, and ownership, there might be less deceit in the market.
The KCPA ensures Kratom products are well-labeled, tested, consumed by people of the right age, and businesses that sell misbranded or contaminated kratom are fined. In other words, the KPCA ensures consumers get approved Kratom strains. This piece of legislation is against the total ban on Kratom and fights the myths and stereotypes surrounding it.
KPCA helps consumers to understand Kratom, and its dosage. The Act pushes Kratom vendors, sellers, and creators to have unique and informative labels to avoid issues with the FDA. What’s more, it requires the department of Agriculture and Food to set and enforce standards guarantee safe Kratom growing and production.
Who is Behind the Act?
The federal government started having issues with Kratom in 2013. Anti-kratom bills were passed, attracting the attention of DEA who wanted to schedule the herb. However, American Kratom Association, and Botanical Educational Alliance (BEA) came to Kratom’s rescue before the nationwide ban. The White House collected over 145,000 signatures and 6,000 letters the petition for the Kratom ban. To avoid being bias, the White house allowed the comment section and collected over 23,000 opinions. Amazingly, most of these comments advocated for kratom.
During this time, the FDA did not recognize kratom; hence did not bother regulating its sale and usage. Lack of federal regulation increased the contaminated Kratom in the market. This made AKA and BEA team up for the Kratom Consumer Protection Act that prevent penetration of unclean clean Kratom in the market. The battle for Kratom legality began on March 26, 2019, with Utah becoming the first state to pass the bill. Today, many states are reviewing the Act, and it will be a win for Kratom industry if they pass it.
Why is the KPCA important?
Some Kratom vendors are dedicated to delivering high-quality kratom to their customers, while others are profit-driven. Vendors who care about their profits sell old, fake, or poor-quality Kratom. Although all old and poor-quality Kratom is not harmful to consumers, vendors should ensure consumers feel the value of their money. Others set wrong labels on the product, making consumers pay for effects the product does not provide. Wrong labeling, incorrect advertisements and sale of old or low-quality Kratom endangers consumers and ruins the image of Kratom. If not controlled, this can result in a nationwide kratom ban, inconveniencing its enthusiasts. Kratom Consumer Protection Act is the best way to prevent this issue. If all states pass it, KPCA will gain more power to fight the sale of unclean and low quality Kratom.
States That Have Passed the KPCA
AKA and BEA are working within their power to ensure all states adopt the Act. States that have passed the KPCA include;
Utah
Utah was the first state to pass the KPCA. This state passed its KPCA version on March 26, 2019.
Georgia
Georgia passed their Act on April 26, 2019. Their version underwent several changes, explaining why it’s different from Utah’s. Passing this bill in Georgia took a short time because of the increased need for clean and high quality kratom.
Arizona
Arizona signed its Act on May 1, 2019.
Oregon
Oregon has not fully passed the bill. However, the state is expected to act soonest.
States With Retained Lobbyists
- Florida
- Kansas
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Idaho
- Tennessee
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Illinois
- Alabama
- Colorado
States Requiring Lobbyist Funding
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
- South Carolina
Why Do People Use Kratom?
Kratom is like any product that affects your well-being. Coffee enthusiasts love starting the day with a cup of this beverage because it helps them stay active. Similarly, beer lovers fancy the drink because it helps them relax after the stressful day. Kratom also comes with benefits that keep people glued to it. The effects of this herb depend on the dosage you consume.
How Do Kratom Work?
Kratom contain active alkaloids, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine. These alkaloids alter the brain’s opioid receptors, resulting in various effects including euphoria.
How to Take Kratom
Some people chew fresh kratom leaves, while others place the crushed dry leaves in tea. Most Americans use kratom in capsules and powder because accessing fresh Kratom leaves is challenging.
Is Kratom a Controversial Product?
Lack of in-depth studies may make Kratom a controversial product. Studies help identify whether the product is the harmful and the right dosage for human use. Kratom harbor many alkaloids; hence their effects can be strong. Although most users claim kratom is a healthy herb, FDA requires solid proofs for the claims before evaluating and approving the herb.
The Bottom Line
Three states, including Utah, Arizona, and Georgia, have already passed their KCPA, while Oregon is expected to join them soon. Adopting the KPCPA means a lot to the Kratom industry. With the Act in place, Kratom enthusiasts can fully trust the herbs they receive from their vendors and sellers. Since America is among countries that care for the health of its citizens, let us expect more states in the KCPA passing race.