The Fight for Botanicals

In a recent high-level discussion, Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged U.S. President Joe Biden to reconsider the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) stringent import restrictions on kratom. This appeal, as highlighted in a Marijuana Moment article, represents a significant step in the ongoing dialogue about the international trade of kratom, a Southeast Asian plant used for various medicinal purposes, including pain relief and opioid withdrawal management.

The FDA’s current import alert on kratom has notably affected Indonesia, a major exporter of the plant. President Widodo’s request underscores the broader implications of these restrictions, particularly highlighting the economic hardships faced by the Indonesian kratom farming community, which numbers over 250,000.

While the White House has not yet provided a detailed response to this request, the conversation between the two leaders brings to the forefront the complex issues surrounding the trade of kratom. It underscores the need for a balanced approach that considers the economic, health, and environmental aspects of kratom trade and usage.

In a landmark development for the kratom industry, a diverse group of industry leaders, scientists, academics, and advocates have announced the formation of The Kratom Coalition. This new nonprofit organization is set to spearhead efforts in advancing the scientific understanding and global regulatory framework of kratom, a plant with a long history of traditional use in Southeast Asia.

The coalition’s formation, detailed in a recent WRAL.com article, marks a significant step towards addressing the complex and often misunderstood nature of kratom. With a focus on ensuring safe access to kratom products and advocating for informed regulatory policies, The Kratom Coalition aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and public perception, ensuring a balanced approach to kratom use and regulation.

In a proactive move to bypass potential FDA regulation, the American Kratom Association (AKA) is rallying for legislative support.

The AKA recently hosted an instructional webinar urging kratom users and vendors to contact their congressional representatives in favor of new legislation. The bill, co-sponsored by Republican Senator Mike Lee and Democratic Senator Cory Booker, aims to legalize kratom importation and establish a “Kratom Research Task Force.” This task force would be responsible for investigating the benefits and drawbacks of kratom within 90 days of the law’s enactment.

The AKA argues that the FDA’s current stance on kratom is based on “disinformation” and aims to correct this through legislative means.

For more details, read the full article on Courthouse News.

In a move that has caught the attention of both advocates and skeptics, Congress is considering a bill aimed at regulating kratom, a controversial herbal substance. The proposed Kratom Consumer Protection Act has bipartisan support and was recently filed in both the House and Senate. The legislation aims to:

• Prevent the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from treating kratom as an “adulterated dietary supplement.”
• Establish a kratom task force to investigate the plant’s health claims.
• Require the task force to hold a public hearing and deliver quarterly updates to Congress for two years.

Kratom, which is available in various forms including powder and extract, is often touted as a natural pain reliever. However, its efficacy and safety are still subjects of debate. While some see it as a tool for treating opioid use disorder, others point to injuries and deaths linked to its use as a reason for more stringent regulation.

In a noteworthy development, members of the U.S. Congress from both political parties have come together to propose a fresh piece of legislation focused on overseeing the use of kratom across the nation.

The newly introduced Kratom Consumer Protection Act is gaining traction and is expected to receive bipartisan backing. The bill is spearheaded by Republican Senator Mike Lee and is anticipated to be co-endorsed by Democratic Senator Cory Booker. The legislation aims to create a regulated market for kratom, ensuring that products are both safe and adequately labeled for consumer use. Mac Haddow, a leading policy expert for the American Kratom Association, highlighted the urgency of shielding consumers from a kratom market that currently lacks regulation and is prone to product adulteration. The proposed law also mandates the FDA to further scrutinize kratom’s health and safety profile, while preventing the agency from enforcing regulations that are more stringent than those applicable to food or dietary supplements.

For the original story, visit Marijuana Moment.

In a move that could change the landscape of herbal supplements, Indiana is on the verge of legalizing kratom, a natural painkiller and energy booster. House Bill 1500, led by Rep. Alan Morrison, aims to permit the sale of this herbal extract, which comes from a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. The bill recently advanced from the House with bipartisan support and is now headed to the Senate.

The legislation comes after kratom was banned in Indiana in 2014, in anticipation of federal action that never materialized. Currently, kratom is classified as a Schedule 1 narcotic in the state, alongside substances like heroin and cocaine. Advocates argue that kratom can help with chronic pain and substance abuse withdrawal, while critics caution about its addictive properties.

For the full story, visit Indiana Capital Chronicle.

A proposed bill in Wisconsin is aiming to legalize Kratom, a herbal supplement currently illegal in the state. The bill has been put on the agenda by Assembly Republicans and is sparking both debate and hope among various stakeholders. While the specifics of the bill are not available, it’s clear that the move could have significant implications for both consumers and regulators. The proposal is likely to stir conversations around the safety, efficacy, and regulation of Kratom, as lawmakers weigh the potential benefits against any risks.

For more details, you can read the full article here.

In a recent development, a group of Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin is reigniting the debate over the legalization of kratom, a plant-based substance often used for pain relief and opioid withdrawal.

Spearheaded by Rep. Dave Murphy and backed by the American Kratom Association, the bill, known as AB 393, aims to legalize and regulate kratom in the state. This comes after a similar bill faced united opposition from law enforcement groups and was struck down in 2021.

Interestingly, at least one law enforcement group, the State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, has shifted its stance from opposition to neutrality. The group’s president, Ryan Windorff, stated that kratom-related crimes are rare and that the issue should be left to healthcare experts and lawmakers. Both Rep. Murphy and bill co-sponsor Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevera expressed optimism about bipartisan support for the current bill, signaling a potential turning point in the kratom legalization debate in Wisconsin.

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Zachary is next on the list to ban kratom products in Louisiana.

Kratom, an herbal product from a tree in southeast Asia, has become quite prevalent in the United States. You can crush it, use it in tea, or take it as a supplement.

State Representative Gabe Firment and other lawmakers attempted to ban the product statewide but will now leave that up to city governments. Their fight against kratom is based on its opioid and stimulant-like effects.

“You know it’s becoming fairly widespread, and it’s also being abused and has proven to be quite dangerous,” Rep. Gabe Firment said.

Most recently, councilmembers in Zachary adopted an ordinance to ban the sale and possession of kratom products in that area.

“This doesn’t make any sense that they are going to criminalize people when this is a safe product when used responsibly,” Haddow said.

Keep reading at wafb.com

A new bill introduced this week would legalize kratom, a stimulant made from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia. A similar bill failed to pass in 2022, but the bill’s Republican authors are back at it. And if you’ve been on the edge of your seat waiting for Wisconsin lawmakers to legalize marijuana, you should also be paying attention to the story of this lesser-known medicinal plant.

Kratom most often takes the form of a powder, capsule, or tea that is derived from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia where it is used in herbal medicine. People use kratom for its stimulant-like effects, mood enhancement, and pain relief. 

On Tuesday, a group of Republican lawmakers introduced Assembly Bill 393, which would legalize the manufacture, distribution, delivery, and possession of kratom. 

Read more at WortFM