As a licensed pharmacy professional I find the push to ban kratom absolutely cruel. The state has repeatedly punished patients through restrictive laws aimed to combat addiction and overdose, which only increase the possibility by forcing people to street drugs because they can't get legitimate prescriptions. Kratom does not cause overdoses, kratom is not more dangerous than coffee and has less adverse health outcomes than alcohol. If you look into kratom related cases it has only been in individuals abusing other substances or with existing health conditions that could be aggravated by any over the counter medication or even energy drinks. 

The kratom ban has been addressed repeatedly. The FDA and DEA have yet to ban it. Studies repeatedly show it helps those recovering from addiction or chronic pain. It reduces the chance of long-term health issues, like liver failure, seen with every day medications like acetaminophen. 

This is a gross overstep by Virginia. If the state is so concerned about preventable deaths in patients that self medicate they should be speaking with the VABC and finding a way to monitor alcohol sales. They should be keeping track of the sales of Tylenol and NyQuil. This attack seems to be more monetarily motivated then scientifically based. 

Between the attack on legitimately prescribed pain medication, medical cannabis, and now kratom Virginia is taking a stance that they not only refuse to support Virginians with chronic issues they are openly signaling they want citizens to suffer and decline. People will go from being productive citizens to disabled broken individuals that will have to rely on others to thrive. This isn't an attack on Kratom, it's an attack on disabled veterans, recovering addicts, tax paying Virginians with chronic conditions, and most of all it is an attack on one of the last affordable and available pain options that isn't going to be bought off the street and laced with fentanyl. 

A Kratom ban is a push for increased meth and heroin use. A push for more people to be disabled. A push for more people needlessly using social programs like disability and social security. A ban on Kratom is a shortsighted, baseless, and cruel overstep by individuals who have something to gain without regard who those who have everything to lose. 

This has been addressed multiple times in the past. Virginia decided not to take part in the Kratom Potection act. It's obvious these attempts have no basis and are not based on "patient safety". It's absolutely revolting Virginia continues to consider the benefit of the few, who probably don't even reside in Virginia, over their own citizens. Passing this will only prove the bias and ignorance the public feels is within the regulatory board absolutely exist. Virginians health shouldn't be a bargaining chip for corporate profits, which we all know is the driving force being this.