DEA Plan to Ban Kratom in the United States: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Advocates of kratom argue that the leaves do not make you “high” per se, but rather offer a great alternative to traditional and addicting pharmaceutical pain relief. It has also been used to treat psychological disorders and those coming off of opiates, taking the edge off from the excruciating withdrawal process.
Heavy spoke with several advocates of the plant, which is mainly used in powder and leaf form for tea, and was overwhelmed by responses of those wanting to share their experiences. Users of kratom cannot be categorized into one group and include veterans, lawyers, teachers, health care workers, the young, elderly and just about everyone in between. You can see more of this diversity firsthand by clicking this gallery with corresponding stories.
Many believe that by taking away this seemingly harmless herb, innocent and valuable members of society will lose their lives in the process.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Those in Possession of Kratom Could Face the Same Penalties as Possessing Heroin & Other Heavy Drugs
According to Dale Jerue of the United Kratom Association, “Found primarily in South East Asia, kratom is a relative to the coffee tree. The pain relief effects found in kratom are produced by alkaloids found in the leaves. Historically, because of its reported analgesic and energizing effects kratom was used for centuries by farmers and tribes people in the region.”
Users of kratom emphasize the fact that the chance of overdosing on the plant is extremely low, if not impossible. That’s because your body forms a natural reaction of vomiting before you would ever likely be able to consume too much.
However, the DEA “argues that public comment is unnecessary” before banning kratom, asreported by Forbes. In regards to this news, Matt Cameron stated:
Examples of drugs fitting the Schedule I category include heroin, LSD, marijuana and ecstasy.
If the ban goes through, Kratom could end up being penalized at the same level of drugs such as heroin that do actually kill people, whereas kratom alone has never caused death, as reported by kratommarchdc.com.
Many believe pharmaceutical companies are to blame, as they receive no financial gain from those consuming natural plants which are both inexpensive and readily available. They also believe the drugs offered, such as Oxycontin, have a much higher potential for abuse and overdose deaths.
“If a person who switches from methamphetamine to kratom or what have you is considered trading one addiction for another then what do you call people on methadone and Suboxone?,” a kratom vendor who goes by Dan H. told Heavy.
In stark contrast, poison control centers receive a call every 45 minutes of every day “about a child who has ingested or otherwise been exposed to laundry detergent packets,” Gary Smith, MD, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hopsital in Columbus, Ohio told Forbes.
With that logic, why aren’t laundry detergent pods being banned?
Interestingly enough, when you enter the word “kratom” into the search field of The National Capital Poison Control Center, you’re brought to a page describing “spice” and “bath salts,” with no mention of kratom. To put kratom into that category suggests no real knowledge on what the herb is made up of or the actual effects that it has.
Kratom, after all, is a plant and not a man-made chemical. The American Kratom Associationstated:
Users of kratom argue that the ban would be absolutely ludicrous considering you cannot even remotely compare what you get out of it to drugs such as heroin.
“I personally, compare it to the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had. I don’t feel high, foggy, out of it. I feel ready to take the world on. No pain, less anxiety. I just feel…OK,” Dan H. told Heavy.
While some have claimed to have become dependent on kratom, most acknowledge that withdrawal of the herb, if any, is extremely minimal. They also say they don’t feel the “need” like an addict feels a need for heroin or methamphetamine.
“I don’t jones for a next fix, I only need it when the pain is too much,” Dereck Connors said.
With a ban on kratom, those who use the plant for medicinal purposes will undoubtedly find alternatives to healing, and that scares the community. Many have gotten off of opiates and other mind-altering and addictive drugs with the use of kratom, and say their pain is gone, along with the awful attributes of pharmaceuticals. If their pain or other disorders can’t be treated with kratom, they may end up in bad situations they found themselves in before they found the herb.
The sense of community of kratom advocates is refreshing. The group has come together and are stronger than ever in doing what they believe is right. A petition has been set up to help stop the ban, and you can sign here. The page, with sources cited, reads:
