Well I’ll begin by saying I recently had a nasty hand injury and some nerve damage was done so I wouldn’t be typing this now if not for this lovely tree and the natural pain relieving botanical known as Kratom.  I’m 59 and on disability due to spine issues and neuropathy. I’ve been taking Kratom for approximately 4 years now and wish I’d known about this years ago. I am also a fully recovered opiate/opioid addict and have been totally successful due to my newly found pain relief. Pain relief it was got me in trouble years ago and I’ve struggled with addiction all of my adult life until I found Kratom. About a year ago I had a incident with my dog and the leash and landed flat out on the concrete and my right knee took the most of it and I’m undergoing test on it now to determine if surgery is a possibility. If not for this safe and effective pain relief I wouldn’t have been able to get up and around and am struggling with it even at this moment yet I am able to move about freely. I’m asking with respect and with kindness to please allow me as well as countless others to continue to use this without boundaries attempting to come about by law. I’m in Wva and was fortunate this state scooted by last year and the ban was not a success and now I’m standing up for the state of Virginia. If this becomes a crime in Virginia it makes it easier to pass the ban in other states as well. I’ve gone to bat for every state since I’ve have started turning to Kratom for my pain relief and I’ll continue to stand up for every state where help is needed in the future. I also suffer extreme anxiety and have gone as far as neuro feedback on my brain but to no avail. Kratom keeps me calm and I’m able to remain calm in difficult situations and go out and about to live and interact in a normal state of mind. It’s been a life changing experience for me and I’m asking in all sincerity to please allow our lovely tree to remain legal. I thank you very much for your time and pray to God that the decision is made based on honesty and fact and may God have his will in the guidance of all those involved. Once again I say thank you for allowing me to come forward with my story. Love and peace be with you??????