To whom it may concern, 

I urge you to look at the science with no addiction center activity in the brain, and all rest.

I spent over 4 years waiting on a spinal surgery..during that time my doctors put me on a high dose opioid, several to be precise. My health suffered terribly and my immune system wasn't working properly, something to do with the acetaminophen which for multiple reasons, none to my benefit are partnered with opiates. Check with a doctor about long term use and immune function. I was catching every cold and I came across, couldn't help but get an infection from a cut. I got my surgery but my pain was not resolved unfortunately I had suffered permanent damage. I don't want to be in medications that make me sick or loopy. I do not drink, I do not like to be intoxicated. It makes me feel vulnerable and out of control, wholly disturbing. I went for a spinal cord stimulator in hopes of just keeping hoise and enjoying day today activities most take for granted likemplaying with a grandchild on the floor. Unfortunately the spinal cord stimulator did not work. I still did not want to be in opiates so I used krarom tomwean myself from opiates. It worked unfortunately the pain remained and I have put myself on a low dose of kratom 3x a day.  It helps with pain, does not eliminate that pain but it's better than ibuprofen or other over the counters I have found and works almost as well as the opiates without the foggy brain. Kratom does not intoxicate. It is safer than over the counter meds. I being a free adult should be able to chose what goes in my body without government oversight if there are no victims. What is gained with a ban? Who benefits, it's not the people. I'd rather be dead than on opiates and I'd rather be dead than bed bound, I enjoy the ability to buy what I need.and use it to help me have a life be it ever so limited, I cant imagine the alternative. 

Thank you for listening. Please go meet people and don't be swayed by those who benefit with regulation without listening to real people. 

Sincerely,

Beth