Kratom has become an increasingly popular alternative medicine, but the DEA has been a persistent obstacle. While authorities put Denver’s ban on Kratom on hold due to public pressure, the American Kratom Association is battling back in the form of political persuasion. The AKA has successfully persuaded the DEA to reschedule Kratom, and Florida is now considering a similar ban.
Denver’s kratom ban on hold
The Department of Public Health and Environment has temporarily decided to put Denver’s kratom ban on hold. The state’s drug control agency had banned the sale of Kratom for public consumption but has now taken the ban off hold, pending the outcome of a bill. Denver first implemented the ban in 2017.
But it hasn’t all been good news for kratom lovers. Several Colorado cities have prohibited using Kratom, including Castle Rock, Monument, and Denver. The American Kratom Association has done an excellent job advocating for the plant, and it hopes the state will overturn the ban soon. And as of now, there are a few stumbling blocks for those who want to use Kratom in Denver.
The FDA has issued a public health warning regarding Kratom and wants to ban it in all states. While the kratom powder has several medicinal benefits, it is often mixed with synthetic opioids.
American Kratom Association’s political persuasion
The American Kratom Association has long been concerned with encroaching federal laws to protect the health and safety of consumers, and the DEA is no different. The DEA’s controversial scheduling decisions have put the substance on a high-risk list, and it could result in steep punishments for those who buy, use, or possess it. The DEA has also threatened to ban any modified form of the drug, and states such as Oregon and Washington have already decriminalized small amounts. But the AKA and other advocates are not giving up hope. They’re stepping up their fight and getting donations to fight the DEA’s ban.
This recent ban is an extreme example of how the DEA wants to impose its agenda on a product never deemed a threat to society. The DEA can temporarily schedule substances, and their findings must be scientifically sound to justify immediate regulatory action. In the case of Kratom, this means the FDA was relying on flawed and inaccurate research.
DEA’s decision to reschedule Kratom
The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) put a hold on its decision to reschedule Kratom this week. The agency decided on a power that is rarely used, but the agency did not provide the public with enough notice. The DEA decided after 51 members of Congress sent a letter to the agency questioning the DEA’s actions. The DEA has yet to release a statement explaining its decision and has said it will continue to solicit public input before making a final decision.
The FDA’s decision to reschedule Kratom is controversial in several ways. The agency did not disclose the letter recommending its scheduling, which led to a misunderstanding among policymakers, the media, and kratom consumers. Because of this, six states and local governments have banned kratom sales. These bans have been mainly based on DEA claims.
Florida’s ban on Kratom
The ban on Kratom in Florida is likely dead after the Senate Appropriations Committee fails to hold a hearing. A similar bill, filed by Pensacola Republican Rep. Alex Andrade, did not get a hearing either. Neither of the accounts had unanimous support, and a woman’s interruption caused the hearing to end prematurely. Representative Kristin Jacobs, a conservative, is opposed to the drug.
A recent ad hoc task force lobbied for the state to ban Kratom. However, the St. Johns County Commissioners discussed the ban. At this meeting, kratom users explained the herb’s health benefits, and the commissioners decided not to ban it. As a result, Kratom remains legal in St. Johns County.
