Kratom is a valuable supplement for adult use. There is very little risk of dangerous consequences associated with consumption. Unlike typical opioids, Kratom does not cause respiratory depression and can be a therapeutic supplement for a number of conditions.

Making kratom illegal in Virginia would certainly impact my decision to spend tourism dollars in the state, for both practical and philosophical reasons. My goal would be to avoid Virginia permanently.

If kratom were to become illegal, many users would be driven to less safe alternatives. If public health is the driver behind the desire to make kratom illegal, then know that by removing this supplement from the legal market, some consumers of kratom will be driven by pain of chronic conditions to seek out alternatives that are objectively dangerous. 

Scheduling kratom: would be a net negative for public health; would restrict adults’ freedom to leverage of valuable supplement; and would negatively impact tourism and visitors of Virginia.